Rudeness is bad discipline

"In the life of all of us there are crucial events and persons. Thus, love for children and one's vocation were crucial for writing this book," Vesna Damjanović, author of the book "Portrait of a Teacher", tells Magazin.

As Damjanović - who is a teacher by profession - points out, the book was born from the desire to show the sincerity and positivity that only children have. The book, she explains, is a collection of anecdotes she collected while working with children, and it brings a smile to her face.

"In the book, I primarily wanted to show children's sincerity and spontaneity. They listen to their heart. Everything that spontaneously comes out of their little souls is a guide and a guideline for me on how to nurture and encourage these young beings," explained Damjanović, saying what prompted her to write the book.

Already in the title of the book "Portrait of a Teacher" one can see her need to create. "Portrait of a teacher", emphasizes Damjanović, is actually the success and courage of the generations who started their education with her.

"In the life of all of us there are crucial events and persons. Thus, love for children and one's vocation were crucial for writing this book."

With this book, she wanted to bring some positive energy to the readers, but also to awaken memories, nostalgia for school days.

"The book is intended for all ages. Perhaps mostly to those who love children or are not able to spend quality time with these little people. The book offers readers a smile on their face. Back to childhood. To remember the classroom and their teachers," says Damjanović.

Through the conversation with Damjanović, one can see her devotion to children and to the teacher's vocation. Her efforts can be seen in the happy students who are reluctant to leave the classroom. This is an indication that this teacher is trying to convey knowledge to the youngest in a relaxed but pedagogical way.

"Authority is not built by rudeness. Rudeness is bad discipline. The teacher must be patient. There is no room for nervousness in the classroom. My motto is: 'I will explain to you children, if something is not clear to you 10 times'. It is commendable that you want to upgrade your knowledge. One mom told me that her son said: 'Why aren't you always happy like my teacher,'" Damjanović explained her approach to work.

We live in a period when everything is available to children, both quality and not so good content. Damjanović emphasizes that she tries to show them quality content and teach them to value true quality.

"A teacher should have lavish talents. To listen and recognize children's interests and affinities. It teaches them the right values. To listen to quality music. To appreciate all that is good. To be good people. At school, the wind at my back is given to me by director Biljana Krivokapić and psychologist Milica Pušonjić, who recognized my enthusiasm and commitment to work".

The current health situation has certainly influenced that the teaching does not work as it used to and that there is not so much interaction with the students. Damjanović describes how the current situation has affected her students.

"Our meeting after the online class cannot be described. It was a touching moment. The students told me, watching Uchi doma, that we had done all that before. And how did we work? I saw that it is effective, when we study a teaching unit, to touch on other topics and make a correlation. This is how they upgrade their knowledge. I'm not for rote learning. It is dead knowledge. I work to make knowledge functional. Interaction with students is very important. We were denied parent meetings where the children and I prepare a program for the parents. Then I hold a class where they see what kind of child is in the classroom. There are also ballet, rhythmic, dramatic, folklore, literary and recitation sections. We were deprived of our wonderful trips and events".

Her experience in imparting knowledge and properly instructing the youngest represents her way of life and thinking, not just doing work and passing school material.

"I have been working in education for 35 years and my love for my profession and children is my capital. Give them love, knowledge and respect and they will give you back. I miss the warm embrace of my children and the most beautiful smile, a smile without fear," says Damjanović, talking about the source of inspiration.

She wants to show children's wit and imagination through their "break-ins", which she encounters every day in the classroom. She encourages children's resourcefulness and independence, building them into people with a personal attitude and desires, so she singled out one short anecdote that can be found in the book.

"Teacher, when are we going on a field trip?" You're thinking about a trip, but you did the math badly. Teacher, let's bury the past, whether we go or not.

The beginning in Cetinje and the family permanently marked his life

Vesna Damjanović, born Stanišić, is a classroom teacher. She currently works as a teacher at the "Savo Pejanović" Primary School and has the higher title of teacher-mentor. She was born in Podgorica, where she completed elementary school and high school. From early childhood, she received prizes in mathematics and for literary works. She attended the drama section, played classical ballet, played the piano, and sang in the choir of Prof. Milorad Perović. She wove all her love and knowledge into children, the teacher's vocation and mission. In her first year as a teacher, she worked at the elementary school "Lovcenski partisan detachment" in Cetinje.

"Cetinje and my wonderful husband with three successful children have marked my life, as well as wonderful colleagues and children from that special city," says Vesna Damjanović.