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From: U20121@UICVM.BITNET (Steven L. Jordan)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Teaching
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Date: 22 Feb 90 22:01:19 GMT
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Reply-To: U20121@UICVM.BITNET (Steven L. Jordan)
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Index Number: 6922

Cliff Stevens has stimulated a lively discussion on whether or not he
should teach.  I would like to add a couple thoughts-- I have been
teaching children and preparing math and computer teachers for grades
K-grad school.  The first point is a romantic one; the second pragmatic.

1.  The central question for Cliff (and for any potential teacher) is
does he want to teach?  Does he enjoy helping people learn?  Does he have
an infectious passion for a particular academic subject?   Without
a deep, genuine delight in seeing students develop intellectually, etc.,
the frustrations of teaching might turn him bitter.  In other words,
I would only advise people to teach if they have some inner imperative.

2.  Regarding his potential reception as a disabled person:  Many
children are cruel.  In addition, even the nice students automatically
test all teachers, to see what will make the teachers angry,
how serious the teacher is about his or her rules, etc.  We all remember
that vividly from our own schooling.  While this testing process
may present a more substantial problem for a
disabled teacher, it is something every new teacher must deal
with.  One important consideration is how well the prospective teacher
can hold the attention of a group, and how comfortable the prospective
teacher is in being the center of attention.  Communication skills
are essential, but each teacher develops his or own style-- often
quite unique.

Two final mini-sermons:
1.  The passing remark about the attractivenes of high school
girls was upsetting, and suggests potential unprofessionalism.
2.  If a person finds himself or herself thinking about the satisfactions
of power, then teaching may lead to grief.

Regards to all fellow teachers and students,
Steven Jordan
Univ of Ill. at Chicago
Math, Stat , & Comp. Sci.
Bitnet: U20121@UICVM