A Classroom That Protects Everyday Life
― A normal day for children, something that teachers and parents must watch over together.

"The classroom scene of my child that only I am unaware of." "Teachers are the ones who watch over children's daily lives."

This is an essay containing classroom stories from the author, Mr. Ohuya, who has been working with children as an elementary school teacher for 18 years.
One day, the teacher suddenly felt burdened by her work, so she took a leave of absence and began writing this book while reflecting on the meaning of her 'daily life with children.'
The moment when a child cried because he lost his eraser and couldn't eat his lunch, the moment when I consoled a child who told the teacher, "Don't worry about it!", the moment when I ran into a cheerful and passionate teacher from the next class at a psychiatric hospital, etc.
Although these are the personal experiences of individual teachers, the message conveyed by each story is also an issue that schools, parents, and even educational authorities must consider together.
Just as the right to teach and human rights are not in conflict with each other, I hope that teachers and parents read this together to create a happy 'classroom.'
At the end of the book, 22 habits that teachers and parents should follow are presented to supplement practical guidelines.

When I try to go to the bathroom or do other things, I sometimes can't move because I'm worried that something might happen while I'm away, seeing the kids playing together.
Before you know it, your break time will pass by like the wind.
The children play during their break time, and when it's time to study, they raise their hands and say they want to go to the bathroom, as if they remembered that they had forgotten about it.
'It would be nice if you could go to the bathroom as much as you want during study time.' But it's really hard for teachers to find the time to go to the bathroom.
So, the chronic disease I suffered from several times during my time as a new teacher was cystitis.
If you don't go to the bathroom on time, your bladder will become abnormal.
In particular, when the urge to go to the bathroom suddenly comes to mind, I can't stand it.
--- p.29

I understand the child eating yogurt, but there are also children who need to be given a water bottle every time.
I think I could open it with just a little bit of force, but I always ask the teacher to open it for me, as if it's better if the teacher opens it for me.
I have no choice but to open the water bottle cap with a smile every time, hoping that my child will drink the delicious water and grow up healthy. The most difficult thing during meal time is when a child throws a tantrum and refuses to eat the food.
When he refuses to go to the cafeteria without even giving me a reason, I wonder what I should do since I only have one body.
First, quickly take the other children to the cafeteria, ask the nutrition teacher or another teacher in the cafeteria for help, and then quickly return to the classroom.
A child who refuses to go to the cafeteria may have a seemingly trivial reason to me, but to him, it must be something very serious.

--- p.38

The author was a child who felt at ease in situations where she could write down precise and perfect answers, like in mathematics.
After that, I often told the author that it was okay for her to not be perfect so that she could participate in all activities with peace of mind and enjoyment.
And like math, there are no exact answers, but he told me that every drawing and every writing you do is the right answer.
I believe that the author will probably become more ignorant as he advances through the grades.
--- p.47

It's always difficult to decide how to help your child grow into a responsible adult.
Joohyung and Minjae also rebel in the end out of a longing for love and concern for adults rather than hostility toward people.
Knowing that feeling, I sometimes act rudely and hurtfully, but I try to understand.
Even if I feel like I'm going to get sick, I think about whether my actions and words will be helpful in guiding my child rather than how I feel right now.
So, it's hard for teachers, not adults.
I have to comfort my wounded soul and teach it.
When someone is rude, I want to yell back, but I can't.
So, being a teacher who participates in someone's life can sometimes be burdensome.
--- p.56

Although Min-gyu was reassured to calm down and never do that again, he couldn't control his anger during PE class, especially when his competitive spirit was aroused.
Eventually, I got to the point where I dreaded gym class.
I hated going to work every morning to the point where I would think, 'Am I really a teacher?'
I got really angry, tried to appease him, and even made a show of calling my parents in front of Min-gyu and telling them to take him away right away (after making a promise with them in advance), but it was all useless.
I knew it wasn't my fault, but every time this happened again, I couldn't help but feel guilty and helpless.
Even after returning home from work, I searched the internet and books to find a solution.
--- p.70

We are well aware that it is impossible for a single teacher to directly observe and follow a large number of children during outdoor activities.
But until something happens, the government (Ministry of Education) pretends not to know anything and just holds teachers accountable for completing their duties safely.
It is also necessary for children to have various experiences with their friends and gradually develop independence.
This is an area where institutional measures are needed.
But should we consider it fortunate just to feel relieved that Inyoung was found safely?
The powerless teacher just hopes that no accidents will happen today.

--- p.77

However, since parents have not seen the school situation firsthand, they exaggerate everything in their imagination.
Even though I have listened to both children's positions and adjusted to the situation, I feel like my child has been more aggrieved or has suffered more.
Because of this, they are unable to control their emotions and take it out on their homeroom teacher.
Children are minors.
Being a minor means that what you judge from a child's perspective and tell your parents may not necessarily be true.
Even if you see it firsthand, you may not be able to grasp the full context.
We need to get rid of the idea that our children are special and will never curse or cause trouble to others.
My judgment about my children may not always be right.
Because they are children, we must look at the problem with all possibilities open.
As I said before, even if children fight with each other, they quickly make up, let go of their feelings, and play well together.
It is worth thinking carefully about what is best for the child.
--- p.86

Not long after I became a new teacher, the mother of a child in my class came to visit me.
The mother, with tears in her eyes, had difficulty in telling the story of her child's father, who had suddenly passed away in an accident.
And since she left so suddenly, she said that there was so much to take care of that her grandmother would be taking care of the child for the time being.
At the time, our class was keeping a diary, and that child's diary was also filled with false daily life.
Stories about going to the amusement park with dad, stories about mom making delicious food, etc…
‘You’re holding on with all your might…’ I wanted to pretend nothing happened and protect the child’s daily life.
When the child gets home, he will probably have a hard time.
Just like me back in the old days.
I hoped that at least at school, I could get along well with the kids, laughing and chatting as if nothing was wrong.
It was a very important thing for me and for the child.
With that in mind, I drew a bright smile on my child's diary.
--- p.102

“Please kill me.” “Why should I kill you, Soo-hyuk?
“Let’s calm down and go to the training room with the teacher and talk.” “No.
I'm not going.
“Please kill me.” There was a child in the classroom crying loudly and asking to be killed.
A 13-year-old sixth grader who didn't do his homework and asked his parents to kill him because he felt sorry for him.
What happened to Suhyuk at such a young age that he became so mentally ill?
I don't know the exact reason, but to me, 'Teacher.
I lack that love.
I want to live a life where I am loved.
It was like a desperate cry, 'Please understand me.'

--- p.116

Sometimes, things said in passing without much thought can leave a deep impression on a child.
One day, when I was a 6th grade homeroom teacher, I met Kibeom and said, “You did better on the test than last time.
“Congratulations on your hard work,” he said, but it seemed like Ki-beom hadn’t forgotten those words.
Later, Kibeom said to me.
“I was so grateful that the teacher recognized my hard work, and it made me study harder.” While the praise for doing well would have been nice, I was even more grateful that the teacher recognized my efforts and showed interest.
When I heard Kibeom's words, I couldn't express how grateful I was.
A casual remark can make the path a child must take clearer.
If you always watch over them and tell them that you believe in their potential and efforts, they will be able to carve out a good path in their lives.

--- p.131

The teacher contest problems are designed to make children laugh and enjoy solving them, and also allow them to feel the love and affection of their teacher.
After grading, prizes are given to the students who place 1st to 3rd, and prizes are also given to students who give witty answers.
So all the kids take the 'Teacher's Contest' very seriously.
And after the exam, we become closer and get to know each other even better.

--- p.136

To prevent teachers from hesitating to provide experiential learning in the field, the system should not place all responsibility on one teacher.
More personnel and support are needed to ensure the safety of experiential learning.
A system should be established to manage students by dividing them into supplementary staff and to provide real-time assistance during experiential learning.
With this support, teachers can plan and implement experiential learning more confidently and enjoyably.
I want to show a wider world to children who find just riding the bus fun.
I hope that the education authorities will step in to ensure that teachers can safely pursue experiential learning.

--- p.165

In reality, there are many variables to consider in the field.
It's okay to voice your opinion, but don't assume that the teacher is acting without thinking.
And there are many things that children can do on their own, but these days, parents keep trying to do it for them.
Parents should encourage their children to do things on their own, and only step in when they need help.

--- p.173

One day, I saw a familiar face at the hospital.
It was Mr. G, a few years younger than me, with short hair and big glasses.
At my last school, we had the same homeroom teacher for about two years, so I knew how passionate that teacher was.
She taught kickball and dodgeball with all her passion during physical education classes, and she also taught spelling more diligently than anyone else due to her passion for the Korean language.
She was the one who would always tell me, “I really like playing with children.”
I couldn't believe that Ms. G, a truly courageous teacher who never showed any signs of difficulty in class and always resolved the issues, and who loved teaching more than anyone else, was in the Department of Neuropsychiatry.

--- p.196

Teachers' rights and students' rights are often discussed as if they are in conflict.
However, for education to be carried out properly, it is not a question of whose rights are more important, but rather that they are equally guaranteed.
The essence of education can only be preserved in an environment where teachers and students trust and respect each other.
Improvements in the educational field should not be made by reflecting only one side's position, but rather in a way that harmonizes teachers' authority and students' human rights.
Teachers are the ones who know best about their students' school life and have the role of making educational decisions necessary for the child's development and growth.
Parents should trust these teachers.
Education authorities must also establish policies that reflect the voices of teachers in the field, and school administrators must also respect the opinions of teachers in the field.
In this process, the quality of education improves.

--- p.201