Authenticity

How do you know where your limits are for expressing authenticity?

I have experienced my limits for expressing my authenticity. Essentially, context and culture play an important role in the limitation of my authenticity. For instance, as an international student, I have been sensitive to how different cultures shape my authenticity. In Brazil, for example, expressing approval with hugs is very common. In contrast, in the US, there is not much of physical contact. When I volunteered as an English instructor in a college destined to low income students, I would occasionally give my students a hug as a way of being receptive. In fact, I can say that this "tactic" worked, because since none of the students were obliged to take English classes, they remained taking this course for more than a year with me. I have had lots lots of other students, who were studying with other instructors, asking me to switch to my classes, because they had heard I was a very good instructor, and that my students were really learning the subject meaningfully.
On the other hand, when I did ed. 115 last January, I witnessed that there's not much of physical contact between teachers and students. Although that crashes with my authenticity as a person/teacher, I know that it is a matter of culture. I remained more cautious. It was a little hard, because kids (kindergaterners) were so surprised that there was a male teacher around them. Many of them named me "The Rock's brother". I suspect this nickname came because I am tall and bald. Some students would approach me, and would start talking and talking. It seemed as if I was something different in the school. However, as I said, I remainded cautious. I would never touch the students in a way that might have caused any type of trouble to the school.
Another thing that makes me "attractive" to student is my background. I was raised by my grandparents in a very humble community, where opportunities were rare, and illiteracy was high. However, my grandparents always told me that education should be my priority in life, because they said that they did not have an opportunity to study when they were kid (they had to work when they were 11). They always say that they don't want to see me have the hard life they've had without education. Also, they also stressed that poverty was not an excuse for me not to have a decent education. I can say that my grandparents were very concerned about my education. Nowadays, I am example of academic achievement in my community, for I am doing college in the US. (something very far-fatched to think about in our community). Many of the members of my community praise my grandparents for making me capable of reaching such goals. I give myself praise for who I am too. I've always fought for a better education in my life. I have refused colleges, which offered me full scholarship, for they did not go with what I expected from them academically. Now, I am college student in the US with full scholarship.

When I teach my students, I usually tell them a little bit about my story. Fortunately, many of them feel proud of the teacher they have, and most of those students end up saying that they want to be like mem especially in my community. That's why I think I have my own authenticity, which is very unique. I am aware that English skills cannot be compared to a native speaker; however, I make sure I am bringing much more than knowledge to class. I bring my experiences and my values. I do believe that education is the only thing that can change the world. And teaching goes beyond the cognitive world.


Lack of Authenticity in Class


I have had some teachers that were not authentic in class. For me, unauthentic teachers are those who suppress their feelings, or who do not bring any values to class. It is common to see some teachers come into the classroom, open their book, and dictate knowledge. That's what we call boring teachers. I don't mean that teachers need to make the class fun in order to their students learn. I believe that there are times when teachers need to act out accordingly. For example, teachers can't be smiling all the time, when students are feeling terrified.
As I said, teachers need to bring values to classrooms. I remember when I was teaching my college students. One of them said in the middle of my class "The teacher is one of us". That meant a lot to me, because I know the students could have me as someone they could relate to. Fake teachers try to fit in, but they fail to, because they are not being authentic. Even if the teacher comes from a upper class backgroud, there are values he/she can contribute to the classes. He/she should not pretend to be "one of them" if he/she is not. When a teacher is authentic, he/she values him/herself.

Compassion

I define "compassion" as understanding of someone's else emotions.

When I was in 8th grade, I experienced compassion from my English teacher, and I could barely imagine that such experience would change my life.
The story began when my teacher assigned a presentation to be done in small groups. I still remember the subject: explaning"simple past" to the class. I was pretty excited about this presentation, because not only did I like the subject, but we also had to do a written manual to describe how "simple past" is grammatically formed.
As I was the most knowledgeable of English grammar in my group, I was assigned (by the group) to be ahead of most of the work. It was Ok with me, because I really liked that assignment. I almost wrote a book of explanations on that subject. After I was done, I just handed that in to the teacher.
On the presentaion day, my group and I stood in front of the class in order to "teach" what we ad learned about "simple past". Basically, I was the only one to talk and explain things. I felt that I was in control of what I was saying.
However, after lecturing for about 10 minutes, my teacher asked "Is that all?". I replied with a "yes". Then, my teacher said (in a good voice so everyone could listen to what she was saying) "Your written work is very interesting and organized; however, your presentation is a piece of sh*t". After I heard that, all I wanted to do was cry. Then, I just sat down, and put my head on the chair.
At the end of the class, I was feeling so miseable that I approached my teacher, and asked her what was wrong. She explained to me what she was expecting me to say in the presentation. After that, I asked her for one more chance, so I could teach things properly (the way that she wanted it to be). And that was what I did.
In the following week, I presented the same content, but with further information. After the presentation, my teacher said that it was way better than the first time. For this reason, I got an A, especially because I showed to her that I could do better if I wanted to.
After 3 years, the same teacher was responsible for offering me an opportunity to come to the US. It was one opportunity in a million. After doing all the tests and everything, I was selected to represent Brazil in the US. I was the best experience ever. It was like a dream had just come true. Because of this opportunity, I was able to apply to american universities. Now I am a college student with full schorlarship.
What about the teacher? Well, now we are good friends. She brags about me a lot where she teaches, and she says that I am the accomplishment of her life. Also, she always motivated me to do my best because, as she ever states "Poverty cannot be on the way of your academic achievements". I am very thankful, and I really believe that compassion has played an essential role in my life.

Respect In The Classroom

Respect in a classroom is the interaction with people that might or might not be different from us. Socioeconomic distinction , religion, beliefs are some of the elements that differ one student from another. Respect is necessary to keep this chain of diverse individuals together. Respect in a classroom involves solidarity, understanding, and partnership. In class, teachers need to respect students' diversity and include them all in one system. This diversity may include students that have disabilities (any type of disability), different cultures, religions, beliefs and so on. Good teachers foster their students by respecting the diverse ways students develope themselves. the lack of respect might result in misunderstanding, inequality and misbehavior in the classroom. Such elements might affect the relationship of a students towards the community in the future, affecting macrosystems. If a child does not develop respect in his/her early years, respect might get harder to be acquired as the student gets older. Students who respect are more likely to tolerate differences, develope a sense of cooperation, socialize better, and value others' opnion then their own.
respect in a classroom is best established when the teacher highlights that every student is special in his/her own way, therefore, every student must be respected. Also, the importance of setting roles in classroom is important. For example, a teacher should define that he/she is the one in charge of the class, and the students should respect that status. Students should also realize that they have the student-role. that is, boundaries must be built in order to identify different roles in a classroom.
Teachers also must adapt his routine to students' needs. This is a case of respect where the teacher compromise his/her welfare in order to help who are more in need.

Respect

How do I define respect?

Respect can be defined as a combination of actions that aim at reciprocal welfare. By respecting others, we might have to compromise, because we should be willing to identfy and take others' needs into consideration before making the final statement. We tend to respect people and things we value. People value different things. However, we all have a common ground. Therefore, we must respect everyone. Respect comes from our family, and our personal values. Our values might change as we get more mature. Respect is not sonely about acceptance. It is more than that. Respect is the ability to manage differences and diversity. Respect is reciprocal, so it must be performed by the two sides. Respect is an observational process. We need to viualize and feel how respect is performed in order to deliver it.