This was a very short video-clip that was filmed in 1972 entitled "Why to believe in others". Actually, it was a small part of a video, but that small part held much meaning. Frankl stated that when he talked to American students he found that the majority of the students held as their top concern finding a meaning and purpose in life. He used an example of an airplane flying in a cross wind. If you want the plane to get from point A to point B, you have to head north, above the course, so that you actually get to your destination. If you head for your destination, you will actually end up below your destination. He went on to say that this holds true for man. If you take man as he really is, you make him worse, but if you over-estimate or over-rate man, you promote him to what he really can be. If you take man as he is you make him worse, but if you take man as he should be you make him capable of what he could be.
I think this is so true for our students. I often have students ask me things like, "If I don't include such and such in my paper, how many points off will that be?" And I always respond, "Why do you want to settle for something less than what you are capable of just so that you don't have to do that little bit of extra work? Never settle for mediocre; strive to do the best that you can do." I always gets a sigh and slumped shoulders, but then generally go back to their place and continue to work. When did we teach our students that it is okay to settle for the bare minimum? Do we spend enough time "over-estimating/over-rating" our students so that they will become the best that they can be? How do our current educational practices help our students to find a meaning and purpose in life.
To relate this talk to ethics, I think I have to say that as educators it is our job to lead our students down a path that will encourage them to be the best that they can be. It is our job to give them not only the book knowledge, but also self-esteem and a value system that will encourage them to do their best and to fly north of where they really want to be.
Gayle, I agree with you. Our job as teachers is so much more than book knowledge and every year our role changes somewhat. This year, my class is very interested and telling me that they have made a change. I have a difficult class this year in regard to discipline. All my tricks of the trade are not working as they have in the past. But one thing this class does like to let me know, is that they are changing for the better. I always let them know that we can change the course of our behavior at any time. I have high expectations and tell them they are good, however may have made a bad choice. Even at 5 and 6, I know that they understand and can't wait to flip their apple back to green to have a fresh start. I think as Viktor said, I promote them to be better than they truly are. If I left them to be as they should be, I would not see the results that I have. When I have had a sub, or when they go to any of their elective classes, the teachers often tell me, "I do not know how you do it all day with this group!" I have to have the mindset that this is who God wanted me to touch this year and if there is one thing I hope they remember is that it is never too late to make a change for the better. This they cannot learn as well in a book. I enjoyed this video, and I also hope I can always encourage my students to aim higher than where they think they want to land.
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