on being educated while educating

As a teacher, I often find that I have a lot to learn.

Not only am I constantly stumped by my teaching materials, the content of what I have to teach (which is ever-evolving by the way, since I teach things like globalization), but I am also challenged by the heart of what I teach - the part I consider most important and valuable and long-lasting of all.

One thing I've learned, and must keep reminding myself, is how not to discourage students from learning. It's very easy sometimes to get caught up in your own expectations for how well others should be doing, and forget to praise people for the efforts they have already put in. I went to a rehearsal for a fashion show that some of my form 5 students are putting on, and to be honest, I was so impressed by their ideas. I saw a side of them that I would never have seen in the traditional classroom setting. Even as I try to use their language, and know their culture, and act as friendly and gentle and approving as possible, there are just sides to teens that adults rarely get a chance to get a glimpse of. i must say, that it is through these moments where i see a slight hint of who they could become, that i honestly believe in the value of art education. it's sad that art education always seems to take a backseat compared to things like English, and Chinese, and Maths....those so-called "core" subjects. But the traditional schools and classrooms don't allow for space for individuals to think outside the box, and grow, and become critical of their surroundings. The traditional classroom encourages students to be idle, shift into auto-drive, and cruise through the lesson without ever having to use their brain at all.

It frustrates me, and excites me at the same time, that HK is so lacking in this aspect. Nevermind HK. Canada doesn't fare so well either. Rarely are links to curriculum made to their actual lives; rarely are we required to question the system and the way things are structured. But our generation is no longer a generation that can just sit there and wait for things to be dictated for them. With the internet, kids have been learning how to be vocal and expressive about their ideas since they were old enough to use a keyboard. Ideas grow at a rate that is unprecented; albeit seemingly in a downward fashion in terms of quality. But more and more, I notice that our students need a voice. Why is it that normal classes can't accomodate this kind of communication? How can we allow students to express themselves, get their ideas out there, and make the changes they want to make?

I have no idea. But I know it's not by telling them that they're not good enough, or that their efforts are not good enough, or that their ideas are not good enough. If only HK students were appreciated for who they were and given the chances and space to grow, they would not grow up to be competitive, fake, two-faced, bitter people who resent their lives and everything in it.

let's free the slaves.