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ChangingMinds Blog! > Blog Archive > 10-Feb-06

Friday 10-Feb-06 

Listening to teacher

My wife is a high-school teacher, which is one of the most important and difficult jobs there is. And after spending all day changing the minds of truculent teenagers, she needs to unload.

So I listen.

It sometimes takes an hour or so, but it helps her unwind and provides a ritual of closeness. She seldom seeks comment, just a sympathetic ear to hear her issues and successes.

The role of neutral and supportive listener is an important social role that is played out in many friendships, and is indeed a defining element of what it means to be a friend.

Where a friendly ear is not available, there are professional who will do the job, from mediators to therapists. Although such people may use critical interventions, just listening is a powerful part of their arsenal, and can effect a cure all By itself.

Listening to my wife is good for me too, professionally. I also work in education, but much closer to government, where I deal with national tests and examinations. When you are remote from the coalface, a regular dose of realism keeps you sensible and focused.

And so I listen, wonder and do my best to learn at the feet of my teacher.

Your comments

 this is not helpful soory about it but try to post somthing that will be imterasting and not about high-school. try to some dot jots about why listening is important and how it is helpful the edvies i gave you will help and most of all try to think how your imformation will help other peeople

JUST TRY IT AND SEE


WRITE TO YOU SOON
P.S I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE MY E-MAIL IN CASE YOU DON\'T LIKE WHAT I WOTE TO HELP YOU

Dave replies:
Hmm. I see. Well I suppose I must listen carefully to my customers. Thanks for taking time to write.