Trust each student to be themselves
From Doris, our project coordinator for What Would Dumbledore Do. She is a teacher by profession who continues to guide young people in this movement, as she follows her advice and trusts her students to be themselves:
“I remember reading the first Harry Potter book, and being struck when Harry told Hagrid he was “Just Harry.” Hagrid tried to convince Harry that he was something special, but to Harry Potter, what you saw is what you got. Broken glasses, cupboard and all.
“Dumbledore was ok with “Just Harry.” He didn’t try to change our hero, to pretty up the package so he fit the “Witch Weekly” look, instead Harry was allowed, and encouraged, to be “Just Harry.” Here in lies a small step to greatness.
“Many times, when a mentor is given the gift of a truly great student, the mentor tries to shape that student. Believing that the lessons they are teaching are for the common good. One of Dumbledore’s greatest gifts has been to allow students to reach their potential, instead of a prefabricated notion of what a hero should be.
“Harry is a truly epic hero. He’s not groomed to become great, he’s not prodded into it, he’s allowed to be “just Harry” and in turn to become what Harry is supposed to become. The Chosen One.”
I had a teacher in high school who allowed each student to be themselves. She was and still is the Theatre teacher, one of those who “marches to the beat of her own drum”. I still talk to her and we get together now and then to catch up etc. But what I remember the most about my three years with her is that she never pushed you to be anything other than what you were. She enjoyed each of us for who and what we were and celebrated our quirks and oddities. Her class was always a safe haven and like Harry I viewed it much like he viewed Hogwarts….Home.
As a new teacher, I hope I can follow Dumbledore’s creed concerning students. It’s an infinite struggle to keep a clear mind and heart concerning students, especially when “experienced” educators tell you over and over that it’s a hopeless cause. I will never buy into that rubbish! Dumbledore set a fine example of what a teacher should be, within the classroom and outside. I hope I can be half the respectable, caring, and understanding teacher he was. I’ll just have to keep in mind – WWDD? Especially in the sticky situations!
I’m actually in high school, and have had three teachers who are very much like Dumbledore in that regard. They were in drama and chorus, and while they give us parameters to fill, they leave us free to fill them any way we like. I love them all to death, as do the majority of the students who have/had their classes. Teachers who allow you freedom that way, are infinitely better than textbook teachers, or teachers who confine you to their way – and only their way – of thinking.
I had an English teacher who failed a girl on her final because he disagreed with her opinion. He literally told her, “I’m saying to you, your opinion is wrong”.
I remember students in my high school who were “groomed,” as Doris says, into becoming the perfect athlete, the perfect actor, the perfect journalist. The interesting part is that once they left high school and entered a new world where they didn’t have people telling them who they were and what they were good at, they finally started their self-discovery. For most people, it was as simple as a changing their major in college, but for others it was harder.
I don’t mean to say that it’s ever too late to start a self-discovery. I just think if people are allowed to grow into their true selves, it’s easier than rerouting your life plans later in life once you realize who you really are.
Another point: every parent wants their child to be the best person they can be. It must be hard for some to draw that line between encouragement and “grooming.” I’m not a parent, so if any moms or dads want to explore this a bit more, feel free! (And correct me if I’m wrong!!!)