Life in A Maori School, 1 Summary and Analysis

Much of this section is based on entries from Sylvia's diary and consists of random and somewhat disconnected thoughts and excerpts. A visiting teacher comments on the extraordinary energy the Maori children have and how she has to put her "foot on their necks." Sylvia, understanding the teacher's sentiments, takes a different approach—she lets the energy of the children help to teach them. Standing back and letting the children almost teach themselves, Sylvia concentrates and limits her role to the monitoring of style. Sylvia readily admits that her approach to education is not met with approval by many of her peers and she has been punished with professional isolation. She has even been plagued at times by guilt over her choices.

Traditional teaching identifies two main enemies. One is the children's...