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ChangingMinds Blog! > Blog Archive > 10-Feb-06

Friday 10-Feb-06 

Listening to teacher

My wife is a high-school teacher, which is one of the most important and difficult jobs there is. And after spending all day changing the minds of truculent teenagers, she needs to unload.

So I listen.

It sometimes takes an hour or so, but it helps her unwind and provides a ritual of closeness. She seldom seeks comment, just a sympathetic ear to hear her issues and successes.

The role of neutral and supportive listener is an important social role that is played out in many friendships, and is indeed a defining element of what it means to be a friend.

Where a friendly ear is not available, there are professional who will do the job, from mediators to therapists. Although such people may use critical interventions, just listening is a powerful part of their arsenal, and can effect a cure all By itself.

Listening to my wife is good for me too, professionally. I also work in education, but much closer to government, where I deal with national tests and examinations. When you are remote from the coalface, a regular dose of realism keeps you sensible and focused.

And so I listen, wonder and do my best to learn at the feet of my teacher.

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