It is often said that doctors develop an overabundance of self-confidence due to the value or impact of their work. Or maybe it could be accredited to the endless hours of study and labor they have logged which have served to wear down whatever section of the brain usually tempers feelings of immortality. In any case, I find myself drawing a parallel in my mind between this group and this phenomenon associated with them and another group -- teachers.
I read in an article recently that most doctors are not trained at all in the area of nutrition. I received this same bit of information some years ago when talking to my sister-in-law who happens to be a doctor of medicine. It seems an odd deficit of knowledge given that would seem a major component of the job. Does a mechanic know how to prevent the problems they fix? of course. But doctors don't. And here's where it hit me that teachers are similar.
Teachers are commissioned to teach. In doing so they most assuredly are expected to have an effect upon students' brains. Yet beyond a couple of early child development classes (or insert whatever age applies) there is no academic concentration on the main focus of their job. How the brain works. Perhaps a thorough knowledge of the intricate organ are not necessary. More to the point might be human or child psychology. Or how to deal with people. None of these areas of study are core components of teaching.
The next thought that occurs to me is almost panic. I have handed my children over to these people and though I do trust the physical safety of my child is in tact I start to wonder just how these people have learned to deal with people or children. What is their method of interaction? From what philosophical tradition do they pull their methods? I draw a blank. And then I realize their method of interaction likely falls mainly to their personality type and one other very tenuous thing. Their upbringing.
By upbringing I mean the methods of reward, punishment or guidance that they experienced in growing up. The main source of which is their parents. The next would be their teachers. All very fallible indeed.
Then it hits me. The point of this rambling -- they are only human. So when you are at that conference remember this. They are not god. Their word is only their opinion. Too many times children are placed in a category or box which they are completely unsuited for and which is primarily based upon the opinion of one person. My advice to myself given these thoughts is to respect the authority of the teacher but also listen to myself. Take their advice as opinion. Apply it if it seems useful or pertinent. If it does not thank them for their opinion and put stock in your child.
Listen to your child. Be aware of the filters you employ as you listen to your child. Try to strip away the judgments bestowed upon you in your own childhood by parents or teachers. Listen. This seems to me the best tool I can use in raising healthy, happy children.
