Why porcupines of all animals? According to Dr. Ellis (2009), these animals are generally misunderstood. Similar to our students in our classrooms which we usually have encounters and misunderstandings. We oftentimes have arguments with them. In fact, a day won’t last without them making us feel frustrated or disappointed.

However, have you tried asking yourself why those negative feelings emerged? As most psychologists say, nobody can upset us unless we allow them to. Hence, our attitudes and emotions toward these porcupines depend on how we take or perceive them. Haven’t you realized how impractical our time were spent if these would only be filled with defense, anger, and regret?

Cliché as they say, but for teachers like us, the saying that people come and go is definitely true. Every school year is a chance to meet new people. Thus, it is very evident that we have to stick and bear with our students for only a short and limited time. For that reason, why live it with a heavy heart?

Porcupines, even when they were still babies or “porcupettes” are born with soft, pliable quills which actually harden into defensive weapons with just a matter of hours. These quills tighten whenever they are frightened. Manifestly, our students are very similar to them, always in a defense mode especially when threatened. Today’s generation are actually filled with fear. Whatever the root of such fright is still undetermined. As a matter of fact, even simple problem can make them depressed immediately. In cognizant to such, we should not really be surprised if they react impulsively or rudely whenever we approach them abruptly or harshly.

I must say, porcupines and teachers are alike too; we also puff ourselves to scare off our adversaries. The problem only is that, we’re pushing away not the enemies but our own set of defense who are actually our students. It is our impulsiveness and negative feelings which should be thrown away and not our porcupine family.

From that realization, I think we lose our army because human porcupine only appears when it was already provoked – it’s already in its quill attack mode. So, what should be done when our students are already on their porcupine form?

Here are some techniques I learned from Dr. Ellis: First, tone down your quill coat. Nothing will be solved if you will also bring out the porcupine in you. Second, show respect. Even though we are the person in authority in our classrooms, we have to still make our students feel that we respect their point of views, ideas, or opinions. Doing so could make them realize that they should also do the same. Third, know where they’re coming from. Take note that porcupines were born soft and only became hard and sharp later on. Thus, bad experiences, fears, or failures may be the reasons behind their behavior. As a result, we may be able to understand and relate with them better.

To sum, I should say that there are many techniques on how to love the porcupines if only we could be more open minded and sensitive. I hope, porcupines or not, we can live harmoniously together.