PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE: A virtue every home educator should possess.

Hello everyone!!
This is my first time posting in this awesome community. I'm beyond glad to be here as I am also a home educator. I've read and learnt alot from this community so I thought to be a part of the family.

It is the joy of a doctor to see her patients get better, the joy of a farmer to see her crops bear good fruits, the joy of a teacher to see her students excel. We all are happy when things go well. Isn't it?
I'll be sharing a challenge I faced as a lesson teacher. Looking back, am glad it happened. There's no hustle without a struggle you know.

A few months ago, four kids enrolled for the lessons I held. They were between ages 4-13, all of same parents. I already had other kids I was teaching, but I felt I could cope with some more plus I needed the extra cash.
I was surprised to see that they couldn't read or write correctly, they didn't even know their alphabets properly. We started with the alphabets and basic arithmetic. I had experienced something similar from one of the other kids, so I wasn't perplexed.

A week passed, two weeks, a month yet no improvement. It wasn't what I was used to. It wasn't supposed to be so hard. No matter how many times I taught a particular thing or how many examples I made, it just didn't stick. It wasn't working.
The one aged 7 started to sprout signs of improvement. The two older ones were unshaken. I couldn't figure if they were just not interested in learning or there was something I wasn't doing right. I deployed all techniques in my custody but none worked. It got
really exhausting. I did not want them to dampen the image I supposedly had.

A time came when I couldn't continue and began to think of possible ways to dismiss them without being offensive.
I called my mother and told her what plan I had hatched to stop them from attending the lesson.
My mother wasn't in sync with me. She spoke to me about being patient and trying a little more. I was reluctant as I wanted instant changes, but, I heeded her advice nonetheless. I wasn't particularly sure how it would play but I wanted to try again, atleast for the children.

Overtime, they began to grasp little-by-little. There were times when it'll get frustrating and debilitating, other times, the learning flow was on point. We all hoped for better.
The breakthrough came when testimonies came from their mother. Apparently, their teachers had made positive remarks about their performances at school. I guess I hadn't even known we were making progress because I was focusing on the mistakes they were making and overcome by the need for quick changes.

Today, they can write and read. They're not perfect at their academics but then, they're doing well. We made progress. Somehow, I felt guilty for wanting to give up on them, at the same time, I am happy I held on a little. Their enthusiasm towards their studies is beautiful. Learning is now fun for us all.
The name I felt I had made for myself has obviously gone up the ladder. I've learnt perseverance too. It took a long time but it was totally worth the wait. We've all grown, I am impressed and we're all happy.

PS: There's no moral lesson to this story or not. I just thought to share. I hope you enjoyed it.
The pictures are all mine.
Thanks for reading.
Goodday!