That day, I told myself that I`d quit teaching kids and
discontinue the youngest English class I had formed for my
own mini school. My decision was firm and I was ready
with the letters to distribute to parents. I thought the level
of stress I was experiencing was high enough to say goodbye
to all the effort done in organizing a big group in our
neighborhood. I was ready to forget all the advertising
preparations, laborious material making, course book selections,
trial lessons, parent meetings, etc. I was ready to just
shelve anything “kiddy”. There had been many sleepless
nights after I started this mixed class of elementary kids
learning English for the first time. At night, I`d recall the lessons
that took place, like watching nightmares that are
hard to forget. I reckoned ending the course would be the
best way to save my love for children and maintain some
social sanity. It was not that easy to convince parents, I`d realize. I
mentioned lots of excuses but parents sensed there were
more reasons behind my explanation. They offered some
ideas, of course. When the last thing I wanted to apply to
teaching English would be to go back to being traditional
and strict, the parents seemed to suggest I employ a spinster-type
image, that of a teacher holding a wooden pointer.
What could have made them think that being tough on
kids would solve it all? I hated myself when I was exactly
that kind! A “Miss Tapia”, is how we locally called a boring
and disciplinarian type teacher. It worked with my high
school students 20 years ago, but I didn`t ever want to seechildren learning English out of fear again.
Telling the English enthusiastic parents and kids to find
another teacher or school was the hardest thing to do at
that particular meeting. Thus, I didn`t know why, but I heard
myself say that I`d reorganize the group and start anew for
a better, livelier class. I just couldn`t believe I said so afterwards.
Was I really born a teacher? Seeing the renewed
interest on both the parents` and children`s faces softened
my heart. I promised them that I`d try every possible
approach. So, there I was, planning another super lesson
once again.