September 21, 2010

Patience

Written by: Alice Metz, Teacher/Tutor, Education Resource Center

She was living with her Aunt and Uncle for two years, while her father was hospitalized in Tacoma, Washington. She learned to adapt living with her relatives. The relatives were like a replacement of her missing parent. At a very young age, it seemed hard to remember what was going on. The highlights are: She is well taken care of, learning responsibilities and most of all learn to share, love, and respect.

Then, a few years past and her father remarried and regained a few more siblings from the wife’s side. Having learned to share, love, and respect from a previous foster family, this arena was different. Why was it different? She was treated like an outsider from the rest of the siblings by her stepmother. The living was harder when her father was away.

So, during the fall when her father goes winter camping for fur trapping, she lived with her Uncle on the father’s side. For two and half months while her father was gone, she learned many cultural teachings from her Aunt. In summer months when the cannery opened for fishing, her father would go and she would stay with her other Uncle on her former mother’s side. During the summer months she also learned more cultural teachings from her other Aunt. The father was absent from the family so that they could survive during winter months from the money earned in the fall and summer season.

What has my story taught me toward my students? The first day of school I present myself as a professional teacher, but along the line I make myself known that I practice my Native culture and make them aware that I am their missing parents, grandparents, aunt, or uncle.

Having patience with a student(s) takes an understanding of where the student is coming from. Every student has a different lifestyle at home. Get to know your students and treat each individual equally. The student(s) are waiting for an opportunity for you to open up to them and they will talk to you. From there, respect and trust will form gradually.