"seeks truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image."
The phrase above was quoted from the movie that I watch last thursday, Mona Lisa's smile. The movie is about an art teacher, Katherine Anne Watson, who inspires her students to break free from the traditional women's role (housewives). She receives various reaction towards her method of teaching because the Wellesley College is a conservative women's private liberal arts college. She uses the modern art to open up her students' eyes towards the idea of feminism.
Google Image
One of the scene that really catches my attention is the first day she entered the class. At first, all the students seems so nice and attentive. Later, when the teaching begin, the students starts to show off their knowledge. The students already memorize everything in the text book resulting the lost of interest among them. Katherine was speechless dismissed the class earlier than expected. I really hope that this WILL NOT happen to me later on. I am freaking out already.
To overcome this problem, Katherine uses the materials (modern art), to teach her students. Her students starts to learn something new from the new approach and getting closer to her. However, the college didn't accept her way of teaching by stating that she unable to follow the syllabus. Then, the college starts to monitor her class by asking her to submit the lesson plan before the class for approval. She quits her job.
From the movie, I realize that you have to sacrifice many things in order to become a great teacher. You may gain your students affection but there will always be the obstacle that limits you from doing the good deed.
Yes Katherine is an extraordinary woman who seeks truth beyond tradition, beyond definition and beyond the image. I liked her inspiration towards her students to break freefrom the traditional woman's role(housewives). I liked her courage to make the changes in a different society. I wish i could be a teacher like her and be brave enough to make changes in students life..
ReplyDeleteHi Heriana,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Katherine is an inspiring educator. In a world that told them how to live, she taught them how to think, and I believe we aspire to be like her too in the future. As the movie preaches, teachers always needs to be creative and prepared for all circumstances. As aspiring teachers ourselves, we need to be equipped with those characteristics. We also have to play our role as a motivator and thought provoker when we are teaching in the future. We need to be aware of our student’s capabilities and be the initiator and motivator for the student to strive towards what they can achieve and be better than they already are. I hope these 4years of training will do us good and prepare us for our teaching practice! All the best in your preparations to be an educator!