Bringing our own experiences and feelings...

We've recently had some issues with a teacher of one of our children. Eric and I haven't been able to figure out the problem. We have used the generic "It is just a personality conflict" but that has just been our way of dealing with a teacher that has, through actions, stated, "It is my way or the highway." Now, a teacher can expect that his/her students provide the work requested but I don't happen to believe that it should be done EXACTLY the same way as the teacher.

We are all separate individuals with our own set of experiences and feelings. I found the following story in my studies that summed it all up for me:

Carl Filtsch, composer Fredric Chopin's favorite pupil, was once asked by a visitor why he played one of Chopin's compositions so differently from his teacher. His reply delighted Chopin, "I can't play with someone else's feelings."

So, I feel pretty confident in stating: Excellent teachers teach, give the assignments and then allow the students to add their own personality and feelings to it.

Isn't it wonderful that we aren't all the same and do everything the same way?

Now, to make sure I am the kind of teacher who allows my student to play with their own feelings!