It is often the most unlikely child who surprises the teacher.
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As a primary school teacher here in England I have taught children with all types of personalities. Many are confident, giving the feeling that they can cope with everything they meet. Others are very intelligent and rise to all the challenges a teacher might set them. There are those who have had a poor start in school, often through no fault of their own, or have learning problems and find reading, writing, spelling and numeracy difficult to come to terms with. All of these children are recognised by the experienced teacher and taught appropriately. But then there is always one in the class who disappears into the woodwork, who doesn’t want to be noticed, who cringes when the teacher asks a question of him and is often the object of taunts and teasing from other children. Jack was one such child. Very slight, pale and wan, he used to appear to tremble with fear when spoken to. Of average intelligence he managed to cope with his work if he was left alone.
I noticed Jack because the class that year was a particularly boisterous one with many prominent characters, and he sat at the back, rarely joining in with whole class activities. I realised that he needed careful handling if I was to develop his confidence a little. I found that if I caught him when the other children were not around, I could talk to him gently and build up a rapport. This I did and over the next six months he gradually seemed to blossom and began putting his hand up to answer questions and would even give the odd smile.
By this time it was nearly Easter and my class was asked to perform the Easter story for assembly in front of the school and parents. I auditioned various children for the part of Jesus and had more or less made up my mind as to who would play the part when Jack came to me one playtime and asked if he could also audition. I was very surprised, but knowing how shy he was I auditioned him there and then when no one else would be there to see him. Suddenly it was as if a light had been switched on and he performed with such brilliance it was breath taking. I had to give him the part, a little worried about whether he would be able to do the same in front of an audience.
At the first rehearsal, Jack was so nervous, but once on stage he transformed into this confident and awe inspiring actor. He went on to play the part with so much feeling and depth that he amazed everyone and on the day brought the audience to tears and a standing ovation. It was lovely afterwards to see this shy little boy receiving pats on the back and much praise from his peers.
Children can be so surprising and Jack was one of the biggest surprises. He was more confident after this and joined in with the children’s games, but there was always something cautious about him. I just hope that when he goes out into the world he takes up acting as a career, so that I can see him on the stage doing what he does best.
Christine Ramsay
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