The right approach
Helen was a teacher who was loved by her students. She used to teach science to the primary students. The small experiments that she did in the classroom used to interest even the most disinterested student. She knew that children were by nature robust and simply sitting in one position would bore them soon.
The parents too had high opinions of her and everyone wanted her to teach their children too but why am I talking about Helen today? It is not to narrate her teaching capabilities as you will understand soon.
One day, Helen observed that one of her bright students was absent. Richard was a spirited young boy who was always attentive in class. He was bright and scored good grades. The next day, she saw a sad Richard who was absent-minded and even on the verge of tears. She was now really worried and asked him to stay back to talk to him. She also called in the student counselor to come to the classroom. Fearing the worst, she sat near him and started to talk to him gently. Richard was scare that she was going to scold him about the homework but she smiled and told him not to worry and asked him about his parents.
She also told him that she was always there to support him no matter what. Richard looked scared and withdrawn. She was beginning to get more worried. She had read about small children being molested and she did not want Richard to have gone through such an experience.
By this time, the student counselor had come and asked Richard about the matter. Together, they assured him that they would not tell anyone else. At last, he confided that the language teacher had teased him because he could not read along with the others. He was slow in reading but good in other subjects.
One could almost hear Helen sighing in relief. She did not speak for a minute. Then, she told Richard that she herself used to be like him and with practice and help, she overcame the problem soon. Hearing this, Richard smiled and the counselor too was relieved. However, he and Helen decided to report the matter to the Principal and warn the teacher who had traumatized the student to such an extent that the student felt anxious and even took leave.
Soon, the teacher was asked to leave and a person who was skilled in helping such students too was appointed.
Richard was happy and so was Helen.
Even now, in many schools, there are such incidents. True that nowadays, it is online but it is time all elders realize that students have different abilities and not all are the same. Humans are not robots and everyone cannot excel in studies and some cannot excel in sports. Whatever the student is good at, that ability should be encouraged and promoted.
As the saying goes, you cannot expect that an elephant would climb up the tree even if it is given rigorous lessons.
The above is based on a real-life incident. I hope such incidents do not happen again.
It's a beautiful story.
A very true word. Unfortunately, even parents make this mistake today. Some are overly oppressive to children.
Thank you :)