As a teacher, one of the most frustrating things to deal with is a student who just refuses to try. It seems that some children are immune to every strategy or trick that the teacher may have his or her repertoire.
However, there are other students, who, even though they seem to continually fail, pick themselves up and try repeatedly. These students are the true inspiration for the rest of us. Their diligence and determination are traits that will serve them through all the facets of their life. These are the students that Plato, a teacher, himself, was most likely referring in his quote, “Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”
Consequently, even small progress encourages the teacher to positively support the student and urge more frequent attempts at the lesson being learned. A pat on the back, a sticker, an acknowledgement of any kind can fill the student with pride. Moreover, when the light bulb glows in the student’s eyes, the gift is given back to the teacher as his or her own encouragement to keep trying. The cycle is complete.
Many thank to Robin at Bringing Europe Home for sponsoring the “Quotes from the Masters” challenge. Please go and visit her blog; it is an inspiration.
Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Grandmother Musings 
As I read your post, I remembered different students and their faces crossed my mind. You never forget those lightbulb moments. 🙂
So true. It is what teachers live for in their daily lessons. 🙂
It is so true how a teacher is encouraged by a student’s efforts, and rewards those efforts–which in turn encourages the student. You have posted some very thoughtful, true-to-life examples of this quote. Well done, Jamie!
Thanks, Robin. Again, thank you for choosing great quotes. This one was quite challenging for me. I didn’t really want to write about teaching, and I tried really hard to think of something else to write about in the challenge. I kept coming back to it, so I figured I should just write what I had. It seems to work out like it was meant to be that way. 🙂
Once a teacher, always a teacher. 😉
Oh yes. 🙂
Wow that’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher…Diane
Thanks, Diane. 🙂
good post and so true 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
I love this post I have been both a High School English Teacher and a Middle School ELA Teacher and you have such a sparkling attitude, I love teachers like you, teachers like you made me desire to teach <3!!
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. You made my day! 🙂