The frustration expressed by students when they don’t comprehend a concept can be difficult and overwhelming for the students. The frustration combined with the younger person’s rationale that you, the adult, have everything figured out and learned is all so easily, is the hardship that the instructors have to bear. Repeatedly I’ve hard students say the following:
“I don’t read as well as you do.”
“ My handwriting isn’t as nice or neat as yours.”
“You can multiply faster than me.”
“You know lots about Shakespeare.”
Each time a students says a disparaging remark about themselves, I just want to hug them. Instead, what I do is to tell them this, “It takes time, practice, and effort to become an expert at something. And it’s true. It took me two degrees, multiple certifications, countless tests, and five years of teaching for me to be able to help my students. Besides, wouldn’t it be sad if I DIDN’T know how to do ‘ xyz’ better than you? Especially when I am the one who is supposed to be teaching you?”
Although I have a few strategies to help squelch students’ frustrations, it doesn’t make it any less difficult when I hear their sigh of aggravation. I suppose, really, it doesn’t make a difference to them knowing that I didn’t learn multiplication in a day; but, perhaps it makes it a little less frustrating.
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