So I teach at a community centre on Kilarney on a Wednesday night. The students are mainly domestic workers who are trying to get their basic (grade 4-7) numeracy and literacy qualifications. The lovely Craig got me involved in the whole thing. I've been teaching Maths to this one class since about July. It's difficult to explain things sometimes, because adult students aren't as sponge-like as kids, but they're always super thankful. I'm glad I do it.
Last night, something really beautiful happened. Johanna has finally mastered fractions, and she gave me a hug. She thanked me for helping her grasp something that she - a respectable woman of 50-odd - had struggled with for so long. It's not the fact that I showed her, and it doesn't mean I'm a good teacher or a good person. It's just about her, and her progress, and her joy. I'm so glad to be a witness of it.
It's so important to share in people's joy sometimes, and to give it away. Every day I discover more and more beautiful things - Johanna and her fractions are just the beginning.
