Teaching Empathy

Punishment actually worked

A great teacher who is full of excitement for her students can change their lives

Deval Patrick

      It can be hard at times to remember that teachers are people too. Throughout my time at Fenn, I’ve always tried to resist the thought that teachers are soulless creatures, born to shove knowledge down students throats, but nothing has helped me in this more than Fitz’s eighth grade English class. It was the first day of eighth grade and I was walking into my brand new English class. “Oh boy, I better be good this year” I probably thought “this is going to be one of the teachers writing my high school recommendations. But as the weeks went on I soon learned that with my rambunctious classmates, it wouldn't be too much of an issue. As a former goody two shoes, old habits die hard and I still hold onto the coveted thought of graduating without ever needing to serve a recess recall, but one fateful thursday afternoon I was hit by a bombshell. “ALL OF YOU SIT DOWN” yelled a (rightfully so) furious Fitz “My day wasn't good before this class, and it certainly hasn't gotten any better”. After a solid 30 seconds this was followed by a “GO SIGN UP, ALL OF YOU!”. One day and one excused recess recall later I was already laughing about the situation, but I did teach me a lesson. Teachers have feelings and emotions too, however much it seems like many don't, and students need to respect them as any other person.