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The perspective of teachers born in the 80s“Where is education going in this era?”

-Middle School Edition-

As the World Educational Cultural Aid has been supporting the education of many children at home and abroad, we wanted to get to know the thoughts of children more closely.all. What do domestic children near us think about their lives? Also, how do teachers in the educational field achieve harmony with our children and share each other's thoughts? I decided to ask myself various questions that came to mind, such as: So, I listened to the story of a teacher born in the 1980s who is the most active in the current education field and is at the starting point of the millennial generation that has experienced rapid changes in IT technology.

Q. Please introduce yourself.

- hello. I am a middle school music teacher. In a world where countless new contents are created every day, we strive to help students express themselves in a healthy and proper way through music.

Q. Middle school teacher.. Ah yes~ How is life as a teacher these days?

- haha. yes. It's not easy and it's difficult, but I try not to lose sight of the joy and hope that comes from the end. The role of a teacher, then and now, seems to be not an easy task as one must simultaneously perform the duties of a teacher, administrator, parent, counselor, and police officer while keeping pace with the ever-changing times. I'm still not familiar with multiplayer, so I'm always in need of advice and help from senior teachers. When I see teachers who have been working for 10 or 20 years, who always smile and work despite the complex tasks, I think, 'They are truly amazing, I respect them.' The only words that came out were: I often gain strength by looking at the teachers I work with.

Q.So how are middle school students these days?

- I think we are able to look at our own feelings more honestly than when we were in school. And I think it’s the same in expression. There are more students who are better at makeup than their teachers. ah! Another important thing I feel is that students these days seem to have rhythm in their bodies. It seems that the number of children who show a kind of cool groove or swagger or who dance well has increased compared to the previous generation. To that extent, music culture seems to have become a part of life, and self-expression seems to be less awkward than previous generations.

Q.Please tell me in a little more detail. Things like children’s culture and thoughts.

- You have to try to keep up with the school curriculum, keep up with all the preparatory classes and assignments given at the academy, play games and go to karaoke in your spare time, and some students even broadcast on YouTube. Students are really busy. There are many times when I find it admirable that people seem to really think a lot about what they really like and what they are good at. There are many cases where parents actively help children experience various career paths rather than just thinking about it.

Q.What do you think when the teacher looks at that?

- It's amazing. I think it is an important time to have diverse experiences to expand your potential. Sometimes, it is unfortunate that it is too biased in one direction, but I believe that potential is revealed through the repeated folding and unfolding of the ego, so I try to provide active support and encouragement.

Q.How is the relationship between the teacher and the students?

- There are good relationships, and of course there are difficult relationships. I was embarrassed because a student who was like a friend once hit my butt. There are students who came first to help the teacher out of fear that I might be having a hard time, and there are also students who come and kindly inform me when something important happens in class that I don't know about. There are some outstanding students who receive guidance from their teachers, admit their mistakes, and work hard to restore their relationship with their teachers, and there are also students who turn hostile after receiving guidance...

 Since I also had the time to be a student, I believe that each and every student, regardless of their relationship with me, is a precious student.

Q.Well, these days, you are in school and learning about Korean education. Where do you think you're going?

- This is a very difficult question. Although we are being criticized by private education, media and parents, there are many people who support and trust us more than we think. There are many teachers who truly work for the youth of this country with a sense of duty and affection. I believe that the efforts of such teachers will continue. We look forward to further development by supplementing and correcting the shortcomings in the current school education, which fosters citizens who democratically and voluntarily participate and communicate in society, and who respect and care for various generations and cultures.

Q.What would you think if I, just me, born in the 1980s, looked at myself as a teacher?

- Just me from the 80's... Yes. First of all, I'm in my 30s. No matter what profession you are in, people in their 30s seem to be an age where they have to learn a lot of new things and need to be perfect in some field. When looking at ‘teachers’, it is FM-like. Many people say that. As I live with students who have such FM-like behavior and whose behavior changes at the same time, the word ‘trying hard’ comes to mind first. And I would like to recommend, 'Look at the flow of society and culture from a more macroscopic perspective, have more expertise, and pour more love into your students.' 

Middle school student.

In the first place, the term 'junior high school disease' came from the second year of middle school. In particular, middle school students, who can be said to be the origins of middle school disease, have more severe middle school disease than other age groups. It's not for nothing that middle school students are difficult to deal with and middle school is a mess. There is a reason why middle school students are notorious. There is also a joke that one of the reasons why the North Korean army cannot invade South Korea is because they are afraid of the second lieutenants.

Dictionary characteristics of 'middle school student'_Source from Namu Wiki 

 Middle school teacher. The thought I had while interviewing a middle school teacher was that middle school students are not children who are reckless or endlessly rebellious, as we usually overlook and define the dictionary characteristics of 'middle school students' as above. I thought: Children who were born in the digital age, grew up watching YouTube, are internationally connected, and have to find their own way in the flood of information are clearly struggling within their own culture, and I applaud them in support. In addition, we send tremendous support and encouragement to the struggles of teachers born in the 1980s who live together with children who go to school with new content and new culture after sleeping overnight. 

-High School Episode- Continued next time...