Article July 25, 2005 Issue

TEACHER BRINGS OUT THE BEST

By Pamela McAuliffe

After completing my teacher training at university, I soon found myself in the role of full-time mother. So when my youngest child began high school years later, I was more than delighted to accept a teaching position at a primary school in my area. Through experience with my own children at school, I was not surprised to find that issues such as behavior management and developing a supportive school environment were now the primary focus of teaching.

My second week in the classroom, I attempted to intercept two sparring nineand ten-year-olds. One of them was attempting to injure the younger with a pair of scissors, which I tried to confiscate. In the process, the older boy became antagonized and closed the scissors forcefully on my finger, cutting it severely. This situation called for immediate action. Not only was I in pain and bleeding profusely, I had a class of children for whom I was responsible. I closed the wound with my fingers and quietly went to the staff room, where a fellow staff member washed and dressed the wound.

My choice of treatment was prayer, and my first thought was that I must feel forgiveness and compassion for the children involved. As I prayed, I saw us all as surrounded in the loving care of God, our dear Father — safe and protected not only from physical harm but also free from angry outbursts.

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