Weekly experience of a teacher in the making!

Boy oh boy, I thoroughly enjoyed this week! 

Firstly, let me say that presenting is definitely way more fun than observing. There was absolutely no nerves and everything about teaching felt natural. From Monday I was assertive and told both classes that no behaviour that will disturb the process of learning will be tolerated within the classroom. I knew that when I'm well prepared and know the subject content that things will go well and presenting my first ever lesson in the school bunks was a super special moment and I will treasure it with me always.

This week I started to learn the dynamics of the school. There is great room for improvement regarding the discipline of the school. The behaviour of some learners towards teachers are utterly disrespectful and the young people of today (not all) do not seem to know what it is to have respect for the elderly. As someone who came from an era where you listened when an older person speaks to you, this is sad to see and I have to stop myself from stepping in when a learner is rude toward a teacher. Only afterwards I would approach a learner and try and pick their brain as to why this attitude. Here I learned that the learner is troubled and are experiencing something that the teacher is not necessarily aware of, but in the same breath, some certain learners are just rude and it's not the teacher that is dispositioning them as such, but their behaviour that allows for this disposition.

Also in this week one learns about the staff room politics and I try my best to not notice things, but it is unavoidable and sometimes I have to stop myself from not laughing when I see how one teacher gets annoyed with another during staff meetings! Definitely eye opening, learning how a group of people with different personalities have to stand together at the end of the day to create a cohesive school environment! 

The thing I've looked forward to most was to see how I will handle any disciplinary problems. It was refreshing to know that when learners are reprimanded with gentleness they do feel bad about their behaviour and show respect. With regards to discipline in the observation of lessons, I feel that teachers need to pick their battles more carefully. It is not wise to create an unpleasant atmosphere within the classroom about something that's completely unnecessary. 

For my extra mural activity I have chosen to sit in with the school choir. The only thing about music I know is how to love it and appreciate it. The school choir is fairly small, but they're are competent and are exciting about their performance at the school's talent show next week. 

Saturday's the big inter schools competition between President High School and a neighbouring school. It was a busy week with finalising all the details as the school is hosting the event this year. Friday the school had their "Big Brag" introducing all their teams of respective sports and also getting all the learners excited for the encounter. It was great getting to see this aspect of school, besides the academics and management of a school.

Next week should be another great week of learning and personal growth!
I look forward! :)  

Choir rehearsing for the Talent Show!