Picture a classroom where questions are met with impatience, where unique perspectives are dismissed, where vulnerable thoughts are cut short. Gradually, hands stop rising, eyes avoid contact, and the once-vibrant space becomes a vacuum of missed opportunities and untapped potential. This silence is not respect—it is retreat, it is a silent protest, and it is dissent. When teachers fail to listen, they unwittingly construct invisible barriers. Students quickly sense when their contributions hold no value, when their voices are merely tolerated rather than treasured. The natural response is self-preservation through silence. Why risk sharing when no one is truly receiving? This silent classroom is a warning sign. A teacher who does not listen will soon be surrounded by students who do not speak. I have heard the same dictum on leadership, a leader who does not listen will soon be surrounded by people who do not speak. It is true in every field, including education. Education has to...
People in Spain recount an old folk story. In the city of Barcelona, there lived a father and a son; the son's name was Antonio. They get into a little misunderstanding, egos get hurt, and in the rage of anger and stubbornness the son leaves home. Father waited thinking that Antonio would come back, a few hours passed, a day passed, his son did not return. He went in search of him, but he could not find him. The father was desperate to find his son, so he approached the city's most popular newspaper to give a notice of missing. He gave the advertisement as, Dear Antonio, meet me at the central fountain in the evening next Saturday. All is forgiven. I accept you as you are. I love you, your father. The father could not wait for next Saturday because of the anticipation of finding his son. On the given Saturday the father goes to the central fountain and there he finds hundreds of Antonios, looking out in expectation of their fathers to show up to receive them. There are so many...