Eileen’s Learning

 

        Upon reading “Magic” by Carolyn Mamchur (1981) it displays how we can achieve so much more than just content if we are able to create a positive, safe, and cooperative environment in our classroom.  First, we have Eileen the student who has a unique function and suffers from diabetes and arthritis.  However, we see that Eileen’s input was more than just her unique function she brought joy and optimism both to her fellow classmates and Mamchur.  Mamchur describes Eileen’s situation as one of the most difficult, “I saw Eileen suffer more than any child I’d ever known”.  However, Mamchur goes on stating that she also never witnessed Eileen complaining.  Even though Eileen was suffering she maintained her joy and even spread her joy by organizing games for younger children, laughing, encouraging, assuring and assisting others, “I saw her believe in herself and in those around her”.  Although not explicitly stated, I believe that Eileen’s good attitude and enthusiasm helped create a positive classroom environment.

 

        For Eileen, the environment in the school taught her above and beyond life skills.  Since Mamchur adapted her lesson to be more engaging and experiential, Eileen learned more than what any textbook or article reading could offer.  For example, Mamchur stated “I didn’t talk much about washing hair…I didn’t show films on it or give sewing lessons”.  Secondly, the students didn’t learn life skills by reading or through passive learning, instead they learned by doing and learned through experiential learning.  The students learned how to shop, how to budget their money, how to safely maneuver through town, how to transit, how to gain money, how to count money, and especially how to build good working relationships with one another. 

 

        For Eileen, the outcome from being in this environment was independence and leadership.  She was not only able to learn life skills for herself but she was also able to pass her knowledge onto others.  For example, she mentored Jody by helping and showing patience as Jody counted change regardless of the cashier displaying frustration and impatience.  Secondly, Eileen also gained a network of friends who care for her and treat her as family.  For example, when Eileen became upset during a conversation with her Nurse Mamchur realized that Eileen may or may not have a close relationship with her mom because Eileen was not able to tell her mom that she was hurting.  Due to the positive relationship created in the classroom Mamchur stayed by Eileen and comforted her through times of difficulties.  Lastly, even after Mamchur had moved and no longer volunteered, Mamchur and Eileen were able to maintain their friendship. 

 

Mamchur’s Learning

 

        In the beginning of the story Mamchur came to learning with minimal experience of what life skills was.  Not fully understanding what to teach her new students, she was told that “it would be nice if the girls acquired basic skills in good grooming”.  Although not explicitly stated I believe that this is what Mamchur had intended to teach the students and modelled what good grooming was.  For example, her hair nicely braided, and matching lipsticks and nail polish, a nice ribbon, and a clean white dress.  Mamchur modelling for learning was the initial steps that created a positive classroom environment.  The students also started to braid each other’s hair, which in my point of view was an excellent first icebreaker for the students to get to know each other.  Secondly, the students also started to take interest in sewing after Mamchur created an apron for herself.  Due to Mamchur’s open mindedness and awareness of her students, Mamchur reflected on this situation and made the student’s interest as the focal point that will ultimately drive the learning goal which is to gain life skills.  Later, tea time became a tool for students to learn how to bake and sewing provided them the opportunity to sell their product to earn more money for their baking needs. 

 

        Together Mamchur and Eileen provided an environment where students were not frustrated to learn.   Not only did they teach students life skills on how to handle money, bake, use transportation safely, but they were able to teach students how to be good citizens and build good relationships with other.  Together they created an environment that was engaging to the point where I believe students felt like they were doing play “so engrossed in the process of doing the work that you forget about time”.  This was evident near the end of the article “classical music became part of our tea-time…it wasn’t long before we were able to delight one another with our own music…and with music came dance”, Mamchur goes on and states that they read and watched movies “I guess we all became more beautiful that year”. 

 

        For Mamchur the outcome was learning “organic teaching” by watching Eileen patiently teaching Jody how to count the money to give to the cashier.  In addition, Mamchur learned that to teach effectively you must perceive yourself as learner.  We must create an environment where everyone feels that they are worthy.  The teacher is not the sole person that has all knowledge and good input, we must see a classroom as collaborative environment where everyone is equal and everyone can learn from each other just like how Mamchur has learned from Eileen.  Secondly, be authentic and don’t just put emphasis on content or curriculum, put as equal if not higher importance on creating positive relationship with your students.  When we create positive interactions and relationships just like how Eileen did with the younger children, it will then make it so much easier for students to be engaged in the learning.  Lastly, have confidence in your students just like how Eileen believed in herself and believed in others.  When we place that belief in our students the more they themselves will believe they can do it and develop self-determination just like how Jody was with counting money multiple times to ensure she gave the right change through Eileen’s guidance and support.