As a primary school teacher in New South Wales, Australia, Dennis Roeder understands that teachers need to show children they are not infallible. Students, especially those who are struggling with a particular subject, become intimidated by their course work very quickly. Here are a few reasons why teachers should show students that mistakes are made by everyone.
- Many teachers, especially those new to the profession, feel that they cannot show weakness in front of their students. For most of these same educators, showing weakness is the same as making a mistake. However, mistakes happen no matter who you are. Even people who are experts in their field make mistakes.
- When teachers open themselves up to their students and show them that they are human too, the child is less intimidated by the subject matter they are learning. Students at the primary school level, between the ages of six and twelve, are prone to make mistakes constantly. At the same time, these children are also striving for perfection.
- When a teacher can make a mistake, for example while doing a math problem on the chalkboard, and then demonstrate how to catch and fix that mistake children benefit. This scenario not only shows the students that mistakes happen, but it also shows them how to find the mistake, correct it, and move on without needless drama.
- Reminding students that teachers are human and are not always perfect is one of the ways that Dennis Roeder endears himself to his many students.
