All Over the World

Dear friend,

I wonder how twenty years of teaching in a girls’ school with mostly female colleagues has shaped my views on gender?

One thing I noticed whenever I was visiting mixed schools was how, if you asked a question of a mixed group, it was most often a male student who would be more likely to be forthright in expressing a view.

In meetings with groups of teachers too, male voices, generally, would have a tendency to dominate in group situations.

Not always.

But often enough to feel uncomfortably aware of the dynamic.

I was thinking about the students I taught.

Little things.

Moments.

Connections and insights.

Frustrations and exasperation too.

It was a privilege to play the role of Mr Warwick for so many kids, some of whom I’ll remember forever.

Kids are incredibly good at sniffing out and pushing your emotional buttons, and I’m thankful for it. There’s nothing quite like it if you’re looking to have your rough edges worn smooth than to work with groups of teenagers.

They’re particularly good at holding up a mirror, just in case you might be experiencing an inflated sense of self-importance.

I guess for International Women’s Day, I’d like to celebrate all of the kids, across all of the years, who’ve taught me so much. Thanks for pulling out those pegs and helping me get my feet back somewhere near the ground.

And all of my female friends and family all over the world.

Till tomorrow

With love,

Mikey