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Honored Contributor
Posts: 45,010
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?


@Mama Mia wrote:

"somebody's got to pick up the garbage" meaning everyone isn't going to be a doctor or lawyer or whatever. Sixth grade teacher many years ago.

 

mm

 


I had teachers who often said disparaging things about particular professions.  It wasn't unusual for them to tell students they would end up collecting garbage if they didn't do well in school.

 

This bothered me.  When I was assigned a project that described a profession and it depended on interviewing those in that profession, I chose to speak with assembly workers at Spectra-Physics.

 

I graduated from a university with a teaching credential and when I looked at jobs in my old school district, the starting salary for teachers was $14,000 a year.  Sanitation workers were doing a heck of a lot better financially -- even back then.

 

 

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~
Valued Contributor
Posts: 641
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

I learned way back in 2nd grade that teachers pick their favorites and they lose interest in the poorly dreesed. I never had one positive experience from a school teacher. 

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Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

I hate to be macabre, but you know me - always honest.    As soon as I read the thread title one glaring thing came to mind.

 

One thing I learned from a teacher, when I was very young, was that all humans were not horrible.  By the time I was in elementary school, pretty much all I knew from humans was that they would do horrible things to you.  I had actually a couple of brilliantly compassionate teachers who were good through and through.   

 

While I didn't trust humans, even at that young age, I found something in them that made me trust them - well, pretty much.  I had already learned to not tell of the bad things because, back then, people would instantly go to your abuser/s and then it just got worse.  But I felt like they cared and that was a new and amazing feeling for me.  Smiley Happy

Super Contributor
Posts: 482
Registered: ‎04-20-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

I guess I sort of learned this from a teacher...along with my parents...

 

I was a good little girl and a good student - usually teacher's pet, etc...in 6th grade, I got a teach who apparently thought I needed to be "cut down to size".....she was just mean and belittling to me, and nothing was ever good enough...my grades went down and my parents went in for a conference...my dad even went!  After meeting the teacher and hearing some of her disparaging remarks about me, my parents understood that she had issues...but they would not ask to transfer me out of her class.

 

My dad said (I will never forget it) - you will have to deal with difficult people all your life and not everyone will like you, no matter what....you might as well learn that now....just do your best as you always do.

 

Interesting lesson for a little girl, but a good one!

Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

I never had any teacher who was warm and fuzzy. I had some who I considered outstanding in their field, but they were  just there to teach, and not befriend the students

Respected Contributor
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Registered: ‎04-03-2016

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

house_cat, nice forum with food for thought.  Thanks.  Yes, it's amazing to think how one little comment, gesture, etc. can boost one up for years.  Teachers make a difference, hopefully most for the positive. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,648
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?


Twins Mom wrote:

house_cat, nice forum with food for thought.  Thanks.  Yes, it's amazing to think how one little comment, gesture, etc. can boost one up for years.  Teachers make a difference, hopefully most for the positive. 


 

Seriously, and to be honest I don't think most of them even have any idea of the good they have done by lifting up even just one little kid who is struggling.  It is the kind of thing that is never forgotten.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,170
Registered: ‎07-01-2012

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

The paper grade is not what gets you through life but common sense, determination and survival skills.

She graded her geometry tests with three marks..0-50-100.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,356
Registered: ‎01-03-2012

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

I was upset one day in my 2nd grade class because I didn't do well on a test. My favorite teacher told me to pick something and be really good at it. I took what she said to heart and decided to work hard at spelling. I remember winning quite a few spelling bees through my school years. I remember her the most out of all my teachers.
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Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Something non-academic that you learned from a teacher?

[ Edited ]

I have learned both negative and positive thngs from my teachers, and all have been helpful.

 

I've learned through my working life that the teachers I liked the most didn't necessarily help me the most, and that the teachers who were hardest on me prepared me a bit better for what life is really like. 

 

I had a teacher, an elderly nun who "retired" from her real job to teach high school (can you imagine?).  She must have been nearly 80.  She probably steered me to my path in life just by being so passionate about her topic.