Giving A Shit About Kids
Elsie Williams, left, with teacher Daniel Peters at her high school graduation. Source: Mandi Portegysus.
There is something magical in the relationship with some stand-out teachers throughout your schooling. The bond can often mirror one with a family member, full of love and respect, but with professionalism. The continuation of that spark often fizzles in the university world, as lecturers are presented with student numbers rather than names.
But let’s acknowledge those exceptional adults who exert unmatched effort to create interpersonal relationships with their students and leave a lasting impact. Let this article act as a love letter to those academic figures who not only enrich their students with knowledge, but help to ease the growing pains that encompass coming of age.
Harvesting anecdotes proved a simple task when most students could effortlessly convey their admiration for teachers and lecturers in their lives. Product Design student Caleb Palmer, 20, fondly recalled his relationship with his woodwork teachers, where he found academic direction with their guidance.
He recounted, “In year 13, the class was full of absolute douchebags that showed no respect to the teacher and I was always the one that gave [the teacher] the time of day. And, you know, [the teacher was] my friend because of it. [The teacher] was so grateful for me showing interest and always giving it my best.”
Finding solace in his woodworking class was easy when both of his teachers oozed passion and belief in him. This in return amplified the teachers’ excitement when Palmer chose to continue his love for design into his tertiary studies.
“They were both going, ‘oh my god, that's why we do this thing, we can't believe it’. Because no one really took woodworking seriously at school,” Palmer explained. “So for me, to really love it and show my interest in that class and then go on to do it outside of school, made them so proud and so happy – which I felt a lot of joy from as well.”
Similar experiences affected Health Sciences student Amy Morrison and Journalism student Rosie Leishman, both 20. They embody their educational impact; their teachers’ influence directed their tertiary studies.
Morrison formed a close bond with her health teacher, offering not just academic guidance but also personal support, enabling a safe space amongst her 3000 fellow students. Morrison credited this teacher with sparking her interest in health, and with triggering Morrison’s drive to succeed.
“She was one of the reasons why I wanted to go to school every day, so I could see her. She gave me motivation, like I wanted to do well for her.”
“When you know you've got someone in your corner, then… obviously that makes life a bit easier, especially if there's so much else going on,” said Morrison. “Just knowing you've got that person is really important.”
Leishman found solitude with her drama teacher. “She was the person I would talk to whenever I was sad, needed someone to lean on, or needed advice. Or if I was struggling at school – she was the one that felt the safest to talk to.”
Her English teacher possessed similar qualities. Leishman recalled, “she made me believe in myself and believe that I could be a writer and that I was good at writing. She gave me hope that I could actually pursue it as a career. So I wouldn't be doing journalism without her.”
Safety appeared to be a common trait amongst these relationships. University of Canterbury Professor Donald Matheson emphasised his belief in understanding that your students have lives outside of uni.
“I think that's really important. […] It's quite hard for a student to reach out to a lecturer sometimes. And so when they do that, to give them the time, as much time as they need, and full attention – that's really important.”
Matheson is a well-known name with Media & Communications students, and was crowned the Arts Lecturer of the Year for 2023 at the UCSA Student Choice Awards. Leishman commented on his impact: “I found Donald Matheson a really warm figure within my degree… I can feel like I’m talking to a friend.”
From a more personal perspective: I found harmony within my education due to my special relationships with teachers in the arts realm. Daniel Peters, my music teacher for five years, epitomised a professional yet personal teacher-student relationship which impacted my life for the better.
He held similar qualities to Matheson. He commented on the importance of empathy, “I start by showing a little bit of myself to the students. I'm not this teacher who is on a high horse. I come down to their level a bit and let them know who I am. And then in time, they will let me know who they are.”
I got to know Peters in Year 9 through to Year 13, and my desire to make him proud fuelled my every musical move. It’s a precious thing to be able to have a figure that not only backs you, but pushes you to perform at your highest level, and it’s an impact that I will forever be proud of.
Despite having students going on to big musical ventures – such as drumming for famous Aotearoa musician Benee – Peters brought up a memorable schooling experience where he realised the impact he’d had.
A student who was heading down the wrong track in Year 10 arrived for a teacher-student interview. Peters relayed some advice to him: “My dad had talked to me about how you can find millions of reasons not to do something. But you have to find that one reason to do it.”
Peters said, “The student then took music in Year 11, and they told me later that music was that one thing that got them back into school.”
From motivating and inspiring to providing emotional support, these educators have and continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of their students.
When asked what advice he would give to new teachers in order to make a positive impact, Peters answered, “They have to give a shit. At the end of the day, that's what we're here for. We're here to give a shit about these kids.”