The Power Of Words
Words have the power of life and death. Literally!21 total reviews
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
VIRTUAL SIX STARS! I didn't see this vote :(
You deserved to win, Mario! This is an Exceptional lesson/story and best use of 200 words! I had been a teacher for decades, and I found that I spent a good deal of time, first keeping my class civilized told each other. I would start the year talking about a teacher that truly destroyed my spirit. A certain, Mrs. Bransfield.
Since teachers have the power control in a classroom, it is teachers who have to watch their tone and their attitude first. It is teachers that also model for students.
I often taught the toughest kids to teach, but they were not tough with me. I do like the cleverness of the teacher in your story, leaving the student laughing is really good thing. That's the best way to teach humility. Like, don't be so angry, let someone speak, then react. That is an important lesson to model and teach students.
Long story short, I used to make a big board, "Prove Mrs Brownsville Wrong," at the top. She became an urban legend in some schools where I taught. My students were so protective of me because I created a safe space for them. "Where is she? We will show her!"
She was my Math teacher. She took a gifted and talented honor student who was also a fine artist, and crashed me in Math class. She used to sit over my desk and "tsk tsk" my work during tests. She was a very big woman and I was tiny. When she wore yellow pants my friends would try to warn me by singing, "Here Comes the Sun."
I tried quiet them because she would only get mad at me. I tried even harder to be respectful to her but she had a hatred of me. But, all in all, I'm over it. LOL!
Congratulations!!
Best wishes!
Alexandra
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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VIRTUAL SIX STARS! I didn't see this vote :(
You deserved to win, Mario! This is an Exceptional lesson/story and best use of 200 words! I had been a teacher for decades, and I found that I spent a good deal of time, first keeping my class civilized told each other. I would start the year talking about a teacher that truly destroyed my spirit. A certain, Mrs. Bransfield.
Since teachers have the power control in a classroom, it is teachers who have to watch their tone and their attitude first. It is teachers that also model for students.
I often taught the toughest kids to teach, but they were not tough with me. I do like the cleverness of the teacher in your story, leaving the student laughing is really good thing. That's the best way to teach humility. Like, don't be so angry, let someone speak, then react. That is an important lesson to model and teach students.
Long story short, I used to make a big board, "Prove Mrs Brownsville Wrong," at the top. She became an urban legend in some schools where I taught. My students were so protective of me because I created a safe space for them. "Where is she? We will show her!"
She was my Math teacher. She took a gifted and talented honor student who was also a fine artist, and crashed me in Math class. She used to sit over my desk and "tsk tsk" my work during tests. She was a very big woman and I was tiny. When she wore yellow pants my friends would try to warn me by singing, "Here Comes the Sun."
I tried quiet them because she would only get mad at me. I tried even harder to be respectful to her but she had a hatred of me. But, all in all, I'm over it. LOL!
Congratulations!!
Best wishes!
Alexandra
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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Hi Alexandra,
Thank you so much for your review. You are so right, teachers are the role model, because teaching is not "working to earn a salary" only, it's first of all a "calling". I can totally relate to your experience as I was also bullied by some teachers, because I was asthmatic and made noise (wheezing) in class. Later in life, I chose civil engineering, and I taught technical classes for over 8 years. Simply loved it!!!
Thanks so much for your encouraging review and for sharing!!! Are you in the " the door slammed" contest??
Bye
Mario
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That's interesting Mario thank you
I looked at the contest but I'm not into in that contest. It's not that I haven't had many a door slammed in my face, the topic just didn't pull me in. If you are in that contest, I will certainly look for your work!
:)) Alex
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Thank you Mario! And please forgive me if I reply twice I get confused if I send replies correctly.
Alex :))
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You are good!!! Love your reviews and your work!!
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Ha ha... you seem like a busy person!!
Yes I'm in it... probably you could identify my style...lol
Comment from LisaMay
An excellent story, both in your ability of expression and in the topic itself, making readers aware of the power of words. To further prove the point, I know my words of praise will be making you feel great. Imagine if I had said: 'How of earth did this piece of crap win the contest?' As if I would say such a thing when your story is so well written!
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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An excellent story, both in your ability of expression and in the topic itself, making readers aware of the power of words. To further prove the point, I know my words of praise will be making you feel great. Imagine if I had said: 'How of earth did this piece of crap win the contest?' As if I would say such a thing when your story is so well written!
Comment Written 05-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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Hi LisaMay,
You really confirm the point that words are powerful in terms of human feelings and emotions. Yes, your review is outstanding!!
Comment from Ginda Simpson
You have written a great flash here, with an important message. I love the way you have the teacher prove the power of words to the students. Well done!
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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You have written a great flash here, with an important message. I love the way you have the teacher prove the power of words to the students. Well done!
Comment Written 05-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your review Ginda.
Comment from Julie Lau
A very cleverly-written story which proves your point by example., and well done in producing it in just 200 words (not that I counted them, but I'll trust you). Congrats on winning the contest.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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A very cleverly-written story which proves your point by example., and well done in producing it in just 200 words (not that I counted them, but I'll trust you). Congrats on winning the contest.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2023
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Hey,
Thanks for your positive feedback and generous stars, Julie!!!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job showing the power of words, Mario.
Congratulations on your first place win. You gave readers
much to think about in the way words are used and abused.
You illustrated you entry well, and its message was clear.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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You did a great job showing the power of words, Mario.
Congratulations on your first place win. You gave readers
much to think about in the way words are used and abused.
You illustrated you entry well, and its message was clear.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Jan. You give me great motivation to continue sharing my thoughts and ideas. I really appreciate your generous stars!!
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I think you tell it like it is in this 200-word flash. When people use harsh words, we can't seem to help but react negatively, and apologies seem to neutralize a situation. My only suggestion is that you make the students around THE STUDENT laugh and have him be the last to realize what's going on.
Good luck in this contest - few words are hard to write:-)
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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I think you tell it like it is in this 200-word flash. When people use harsh words, we can't seem to help but react negatively, and apologies seem to neutralize a situation. My only suggestion is that you make the students around THE STUDENT laugh and have him be the last to realize what's going on.
Good luck in this contest - few words are hard to write:-)
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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Pam, I think that's very insightful, what you suggested. Ans I will edit this after the contest! Thank you so much, also for the generous stars.
Comment from Andrea Kepple
I see where you are going with this. I'm remembering something I was told when I first started teaching, it takes 50 positive comments to counteract one negative comment. It was a way of communicating how powerful the words teachers use in the classroom are.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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I see where you are going with this. I'm remembering something I was told when I first started teaching, it takes 50 positive comments to counteract one negative comment. It was a way of communicating how powerful the words teachers use in the classroom are.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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True. Thank you for your comment and generous stars!!
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
I enjoyed this very much indeed. One, the balance was perfect. Two , it's a subject I never thought about much before, having been brought up on the 'sticks and stones' dictum. But now suddenly, a mere 200w are enough to clarify a lot of things. Thank you. kay
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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I enjoyed this very much indeed. One, the balance was perfect. Two , it's a subject I never thought about much before, having been brought up on the 'sticks and stones' dictum. But now suddenly, a mere 200w are enough to clarify a lot of things. Thank you. kay
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2023
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Kay,
Thank you so much for your showering me with stars. I have till now obtained many positive reviews and all 5 stars, and the post is doing very well in the contest, and I was thinking, I wish someone could give me a 6-star, and here you come, and...bang!!!!!
I really appreciate your superb review.
Blessings!!
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'doing very well' it's a clear front runner isn't it? I really appreciated the read, and it was beautifully written. kay
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Ha ha...
Thanks!!
Comment from lyenochka
Love it! Now that's a smart teacher who was able to SHOW what she taught, not say it with words. That's great that the combative student actually learned the lesson! Hope this does well in the contest!
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2023
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Love it! Now that's a smart teacher who was able to SHOW what she taught, not say it with words. That's great that the combative student actually learned the lesson! Hope this does well in the contest!
Comment Written 03-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2023
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Thanks for your positive and encouraging review lyenochka!!!
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Excellent entry for the 200 Word Flash writing prompt contest.
The story grabbed my interest and the dialogue is believable.
Gypsy
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason" -- Novalis
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2023
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Excellent entry for the 200 Word Flash writing prompt contest.
The story grabbed my interest and the dialogue is believable.
Gypsy
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason" -- Novalis
Comment Written 03-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your kind review, Gypsy
