Human Nature

It occurs to me that teaching has shaped my personality in a way.  I remember (twenty years ago) when I was a student teacher and I "acted" out a scene from a book. My university professor was observing and he commented specifically on my dramatic nature and encouraged it. He said that one of my strengths was my authentic exuberance and lack of inhibition and that I should rely upon that to engage my students.

Today, my middle school students worked hard on revising proficiency testing styled essays. When each student approached the desk, I made a big fuss over exclaiming, "Yes! Score Four!" Big high five. "So proud of you!"

Same with my littlest students writing haiku. Their task? To write three haiku during the bell. As each student brought their first attempts, I naturally exclaimed about the beauty of their words. I do what I call "Ms. Beck's Poetry Dance". I can't help but to stop, sigh and breathe in a particularly beautiful line. That enthusiasm encourages them to write more, more, more.

(I do have to laugh that I taught my elementary kids to "Haiku Haiku All Day" to the Grateful Dead tune. Just a giggle as an aside)

But, I have to wonder... would I be as exuberant and dramatic in my nature if I didn't "practice" it in the classroom for so many years? Certainly people who work in "grown up" office settings don't belly-laugh as often as teachers. They don't "act out" scenes or exclaim over their clients' successes with dances and songs. How different would I be if I wasn't a teacher?