Am i fierce?

A student came to me last week to ask me questions concerning the assignment. This was what she said:"Miss, you don't scold me ah, can i ask you something on the assignment?"

I was taken aback at what she said, but kept my calm throughout the conversation. To be honest, i can't remember a thing on what we discussed, but what she said kept ringing in my ear and mind since then.

The next day, she came to me again. Before she could say anything, i confronted her with a whole list of questions. Am i really that fierce? Is that the kind of impression i gave them? Do i normally loose my cool when students ask me question? Does it deter them from approaching me?

She said:" The first impression we got from you is, you are fierce. But we know you are helpful and you don't get angry when we ask you questions. "

So, does it deter them from approaching me? "No la", was what she said.

I was still unsatisfied. Hence i decided to ask my other students the same questions. The answer i got was:"Something like that lah, you are fierce. But we know you are helpful and it is for our own good that you scold us sometimes."

Well, they must have, most probably, confused "fierceness" with "sterness".

Well, whatever it is, i must say that it was never my intention to "subdue" my students by being fierce. I must admit that i can be very "blunt" in my response to certain issues or observations, but it is done with a heart of wanting my students to realise and appreciate the need to change for the better. Often times, my "chastisement" is in fact directed to myself . While the subject matter at hand may not be the same, the real "issue" is the same.

There are many aspects in which i have to change (my character, my attitude, my way of doing things etc....endless), and adding to the list now, is my approach to my students!:)

Well, to all my students out there, my heart meant well. This is all i can assure you of.