The Teacher and The Taught

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04th September, 2022

As we approach the Teachers Day, I am reminded of a story I heard many years ago & the lesson which still resonates with me.

A young teacher from an industrial city in the north of England had accepted a temporary job teaching a class of four-year-olds out in one of the most isolated, rural parts of north Wales. 

One of her first lessons involved teaching the letter ‘S’ so she held up a big colour photograph of a sheep and said:

“Now, who can tell me what this is?”

No answer, Twenty blank and wordless faces looked back at her.

“Come on, who can tell me what this is?”she exclaimed, tapping the photograph determinedly, unable to believe that the children were quite so ignorant.

The 20 faces became apprehensive and even fearful as she continued to question them with mounting frustration.

Eventually, one brave soul put up a tiny, reluctant hand. “Yes!” she cried, waving the snap aloft.

“Tell me what you think this is!”

“Please, Miss,” said the boy warily. “Is it a three-year-old Border Leicester?”

Who was being taught & who was taught that fateful morning?

This Sunday, don’t take things at face value,

Never Pre Judge anything, don’ t go by stereotypes & stay blessed forever!