Many teachers encounter moments that affect his or her outlook on teaching and life. Many children encounter poverty and hardships that can affect performance in life. In particular, Frank McCourt gives a brief account of his families struggle through poverty, alcoholism, and emotional distress in "Angela's Ashes: Memoir of a Childhood." Growing up in Ireland at four years can be a diffuclt time. A father can be the most important person to a young boy. Frank considers his father like the "Holy Trinity," the persons in one. He is someone that reads to him, recites stories at night, and one who does the "bad thing." Franks father cared for his family deeply(Frank,Franks Mother, Franks brother Malachy, and younger twins); however, he did have a problem with alcohol. He is the only source for his families income. The first weeks his family eats, but after the third they are hungry Druring the fourth week Franks father does not return home, and Frank his forced to search town for his father. His mother is torn, as she searches for food and her husband. Frank has to enter bars an inquire patrons of his father. After having to credit more money for food, Frank and his family returns home. His father later loses his job.
Many children today, have had difficult moments during their childhood. They are forced to be parents, sisters, and brothers. I believe that frank,at his age, possessed love and strength that many children havent acquired at the age of four. When children are put in a classroom, they are expected to provide knowledge at the end of the year. Everyday children have obstacles to deal with just as adults. I now understand that children have to tackle everyday stress and then try not to associate that stress with school. I feel that Frank was the type of child that no only understood life from a bad aspect, but he also attained more knowledge through school. Many students may not have knowledge that can be assessed by a pen and paper. For example, I may have a child in my classroom that visualy understand the material. This child may have stress at home that I may not know about. However, it is my job to get to know that child as a person.
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As future teachers it is a priority for us to realize and understand each and every student's home life; some for the best and some for the worst. By doing this. we, as teachers, will be able to understand why a student maybe struggling learning, especially if they are having to deal "adult issues." Upon the realization of a student copping and dealing with extreme circumstances in their home life teachers must being willing to help the student in multiple manners, so that he may be able to acquire and understand new materials being taught. By doing this, students will be able to have a successful life. The ultimate goal of every teacher should be to get to know his students, while assisting and educating them to the fullest extent.
I'm glad that this essay might have opened our eyes and minds to the need to be concerned with the whole child: his cognitive, physical and emotional needs. Children come to us with a huge variety of experiences and challenges and we must be prepared to help them cope with these as they are learning in our classrooms!
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