DALIA: I am a geography teacher. When I say that I work as a teacher, I get confused when I see the reactions, do people really think it’s that hard? Seven years ago I was offered to work at a school, I had already worked at the university for ten years. I say why not! I had no idea that such a big adventure was waiting for me. First lesson, one student sits with his back turned to me. I say to him: “Good morning, why are you sitting with your back turned?” And he says to me: “Don’t see me!” I think, wow! No one listens, everyone babbles. And the students used to sit and listen. It was a challenge. I tried anyway. I used to cry on Fridays. But I wanted to overcome it. I didn’t give up. To create a connection with the students was the hardest part.
My own children were the same age then. I learned to hear them, not just listen. And I learned to understand. When it comes to relationships with teachers, mine taught me a lot. I thought, “Wait, I can do that too...” I was rethinking situations and did not repeat them.
I have worked with all age groups. When you tell the little ones how the Earth was formed, they even salivate, that’s how they listen. As they grow up, it goes away. We load them with all kinds of unnecessary things. The continuous flow of information “takes away” their curiosity. Therefore, while teaching, I allow them to explore, to discover everything on their own. I have 400 children to teach in one school year. I collect their knowledge so that they have something to take away.
Our children are not very good at saying thank you. Teenagers do not show emotions, but I can feel the warmth in their eyes. They come, hug and say: “I don’t want to leave school, it was very good with you.” This is the strongest manifestation of gratitude.
After 10 years? Suddenly the thought crossed my mind – I want to be a school principal! I want to make everyone feel good at school!
