When I was little, I dreamed of becoming an English teacher or simply a teacher. Why? I couldn’t say precisely, but my deep admiration for my maternal grandmother, who was a teacher, played a significant role. She cared for children and teenagers in difficulty, and that left a profound impact on me.
My Grandmother’s Legacy: Specialized Education
My grandmother, born in 1919, began her teaching career in 1938 or 1939 and retired between 1975 and 1979. For nearly her entire career, she taught in special classes created in France by the law of 15 April 1909. These classes were intended for children with significant learning difficulties, often those who, at the age of 7, still couldn’t read after two years of primary school. They catered to children aged 6 to 13, with class sizes reduced to a maximum of 15 pupils, sometimes 20 in exceptional cases.
Individualized Education: The Strength of Small Classes
My grandmother, therefore, had small classes, allowing her to work more individually with each pupil. She was passionate about her job and sought to make a difference. She had pedagogical freedom that many other teachers didn’t have, enabling her to collaborate with figures like Fernand Oury and François Tosquelles. When I listened to her speak about “her” troubled students, I could see in her eyes the pride in their success, even when everyone else doubted them.
A Difficult School Experience: The Disillusionment
However, my own school experience was very different. Unlike my grandmother, my teachers had overcrowded classes, often between 25 and 30 pupils, and few resources to attend to each child individually. From the very start of primary school, my report cards were filled with comments like “Lia can do better” or “Lia is intelligent but only does the minimum.” These remarks were hard to swallow. But despite this, I was fortunate to spend my holidays with my grandmother, who helped me learn what I hadn’t fully grasped at school through fun activities.
A Memorable Experience: Egypt and Disappointment in Class
One memorable experience occurred in January 1994 during a history lesson. After spending my holidays in Egypt, I was thrilled to learn that we would be studying the pharaohs. I was very focused on the teacher’s words while drawing a statue I had seen. Suddenly, he loudly called me out, assuming I wasn’t paying attention. Yet, I could repeat exactly what he had just said, but that didn’t stop him from yelling at me, showing my drawing to the entire class, and then tearing it up. This experience is just one of many that marked my school journey.
The Consequences: Abandoning the Dream and a New Vision of Teaching
The result of all this? I gave up my dream of becoming a teacher. At the age of 11, I fell into a deep depression, developing a phobia of school that prevented me from returning for an entire year. This period profoundly impacted my relationship with the French education system, creating a complex mix of love and hate. I eventually finished school without real motivation, still haunted by this phobia and disenchantment.
My Teaching Method: Inspired by Heritage and Past Mistakes
However, this experience also inspired my teaching method. I strive to teach by remembering what my grandmother taught me: each student is unique and learns in their own way. My role is to understand this learning method and adapt to it. Mistakes are an integral part of learning, and it’s often through them that we progress the most.
My other source of inspiration comes from the teachers who traumatized me. I keep their mistakes in mind to avoid repeating them. Sometimes I lose patience because I’m human, but in those moments, I take a step back. I apologize to my student, and we change the subject before returning to what caused the problem.
A Dedicated Teacher with a Unique Approach
This is why my teaching method is so important to me. If you have any questions or would like to learn French with a tutor who’s different from the rest, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help you discover a new way of learning.
