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A couple of months into myRLF Fellowship at the London College of Fashion, I mentioned to a friend howmuch I was enjoying it. It reminded me of how much I love teaching – the chanceto make a difference in a pupil or student’s life, to share in their learningand help them reach their full potential. Teaching, I declared, was myvocation. She was surprised. To be honest, I surprised myself. Where does mywriting fit into this? Is it just a job; another career I’ve moved into or isit something else entirely? I’ve been thinking about the answer to thisquestion – a lot.
As a bossy little girl,press-ganging my friends into an audience to listen to the poems and stories I’dwritten, I was often told by adults that I would probably grow up to be ateacher. There was certainly never any mention that I might grow up to be awriter. I don’t think that early ‘encouragement’ pushed me towards a teachingcareer, but I did train and work as a teacher for many years. The genuine encouragementcame from a careers advice teacher at the FE college where I was hurtlingtowards a job as a shorthand-typist or, at best, a private secretary. She stoodover me while I filled in the university clearing house forms and – by happy accident– found my vocation as well as a fulfilling and relatively well-paid careerwith great holidays. She was everything a good teacher should be – inspiring,challenging, supportive – and she made a huge impact on my life. I owe her ahuge debt of gratitude, although to my sadness and shame, I no longer rememberher name.
At the risk of soundingconceited, I believe I was a good teacher too. I honed my bossiness into theability to encourage – OK, push – my students to be the best they could be andI hope some of them remember me positively. I remained in education until I was eventuallypromoted to a job for which I was not suited and which I loathed. Budgetmanagement just wasn’t my thing – and I bolted.
7 Comments on Vocare & Pascho - Malaika Rose Stanley, last added: 2/4/2012
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Really interesting post. I'm currently RLFing at the Courtauld Institute of Art, and I sometimes liken it to being a nurse in casualty: you get an incredible buzz from being able to offer first aid that truly makes a difference to the 'patient's' comfort, even though their regular teachers provide the essential medicine. There is an instant gratification in the RLF work that fills a vacuum in the two-year process of writing and publishing a book. I am not a performer, so could never be a classroom teacher, but I love the one-to-one tutorials of the RLF system. Teaching writing also teaches the teacher: I find myself drawing students' attention to mistakes I make myself and thereby learning.
Thanks for your poet - an interesting journey!
An excellent post. I teach in a secondary school, and feel that a lot of the questions that I ask about myself as a writer, are also the ones I ask as a teacher--am I doing enough for my students? What happens if I don't get this right? And that's in addition to pressures of OFTSED, excessive workload, managing behaviour, etc. Writing and teaching--both tough (but rewarding) gigs!
This is the kind of post that puts lots of things in perspective. Thanks!
And so agree with Michelle. When I used to tutor, so many pages made me groan - because they reminded me of all my mistakes and faults.
Writing and teaching don't make very easy partners once they start tearing at the different parts of you. Congratulations for managing your balancing act, Jane.
Hi there,
I have warm memories of the welcome and encouragement you gave me at the workshop as well as the pleasure of listening to your writing. I have just selected Skin Deep as the current read for my girls book group and they are loving it.
Lovely post and so glad that you still have such important and rewarding contacts with the kids and the classroom.
Thanks to everyone for your comments. If all else fails, the talk of 'balancing' and 'juggling' makes me think I could run away and join the circus!
Jane, as I've said elsewhere, I salute you!
Lynda, I am so happy to hear that your girls' book group are reading - and enjoying - Skin Deep. That's made my day. Please pass on my best wishes!