After more than 30 years of teaching, those days are as clear as yesterday, and the smiles of every class and every student are deeply imprinted in my heart. However, as time passed, I gradually felt a kind of exhaustion and confusion that I had never felt before. Education, a career I once loved, now makes me feel powerless, and the happiness I once felt has quietly faded.
Recalling those years of class, the children's bright eyes flashed with a thirst for knowledge, and they listened attentively and actively raised their hands to speak. At that time, I was always passionate about imparting knowledge and enjoying the interaction and communication with students. Today's classrooms, however, are very different.
In class, there are very few students who can listen carefully. They either bow their heads to play with their phones, or talk to each other, and some even openly sleep in class. I had to maintain discipline frequently, reminding them to concentrate. However, such efforts always seem to be in vain. I tried to admonish them in a serious tone, but I was afraid of hurting their self-esteem; I tried to persuade them in a soft tone, but I was worried that they would not take it seriously. In the face of such a predicament, I felt powerless and frustrated like never before.
What hurts me even more is the decline in test scores. Those once excellent students are now struggling with the passing line. I know that this is not only because they lack motivation to learn, but also because they do not acquire enough knowledge and skills in the classroom. And I, as their teacher, can't change that. I tried to find the root of the problem, tried to find a solution, but it always seemed that I couldn't find a breakthrough.
I often wonder in the dead of night, what makes education so difficult? Is there something wrong with our education system? Or is it a change in the social environment that makes children restless? Or is our own teaching method no longer keeping pace with the times? These questions bothered me and I couldn't let go.
Sometimes, I think of the students who have graduated. Many of them have gone onto society and become leaders in various fields. They told me that it was the knowledge and skills they had learned in school that made them feel like they were in the workplace. These words made me feel a little relieved and strengthened my belief in education.
However, the reality made it impossible for me to avoid it. I looked at the children who were doing nothing in class, and my heart was filled with helplessness and anxiety. I am worried that they will not be able to adapt to the competitive pressures of society in the future and will not be able to become useful talents. I was even more worried that my sense of powerlessness would affect their confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
In the midst of such a predicament, I constantly reflect on myself. I try to find new teaching methods and means to stimulate students' interest and motivation in learning. I try to use more vivid and interesting cases to explain the knowledge and communicate with students in a more interactive way. I try my best to create a good learning environment for them so that they can devote themselves to their studies.
However, despite all my efforts, I still couldn't change the situation. I began to doubt my ability and worth, and I began to wonder if I was still fit to continue my career in education. This self-doubt made me even more exhausted and depressed.
Perhaps, this is the cruelty of education. It requires us to constantly adapt to change, innovate our approach, and strive for excellence. But at the same time, it also puts us under a lot of pressure and challenges. In the process, we may feel tired, confused, and even hopeless. However, it is precisely these challenges that allow us to grow and improve, and to deepen our understanding of the meaning and value of education.
However, in the face of such a dilemma, I still want to ask: can we really not change the status quo? Is it true that we can't make education more equitable and effective? Perhaps the answer lies not in whether we can find the perfect solution, but in whether we are willing to continue to work hard and fight for the cause of education. After all, education is a great cause, which is related to the future of the country and the nation, as well as the growth and development of every child. Let's work together to contribute to the cause of education!