I teach, therefore I am
Phew! The end of this week marks the end of my teaching for this semester. My students; Pre-U and high school, will be having their final exams shortly. It has been a rather hectic semester, my juggling between 2 teaching jobs and all, and I'm pretty much welcoming this break. I think anyone would. Because if you're anything like me you'd feel like you're in a sport or something that you loved doing; too much of it might burn you out. And I fear I might burn out.
You see, to me, teaching is something you have to do with AT LEAST SOME passion. There was this one episode of Boston Public where one of the teachers say that teachers won't get rich teaching (even if they're the best at what they do). If you've never watched Boston Public, well, let me tell you this; teachers WON'T get rich teaching (deja vu, anyone?). So if you're in a job not for the money, you have to like it a little bit don't you? Oh and by the way, it's a profession, not just a job.
Some of my Pre-U students are extremely quiet you wonder if you'd done something wrong. Some just can't stop talking amongst themselves you wonder if they hate the subject THAT much. Some paid so much attention they want to know every detail. But mostly, my Pre-U students are a blast. I think most young adults are. It's a pity I only get to teach one batch for two semesters. I like those who speak their mind the most. I find it so much fun to have a discussion and almost always it's a turn off to preach (I'm talking so you kids better SHADDAPP!). As much as I can, I treat them as adults. And it's such a joy when you get that acknowledging 'oh!' (as-in; oh! I didn't know this previously, now I do) every now and then from them. Because of this 'oh!', I'll continue to teach, even if they paid me only half of what they're paying me now, which ain't that much anyway.
I only started teaching the high school kids about a couple of months ago. They are underprivileged kids from rural areas brought to the capitol to get a chance for better education. Mostly it's hard for them to pay attention in class, being young and all. Some of them only started going to school at 15 after a few years 'break'. Before I met the kids one of the teachers there told me; the kids' IQ isn't something to shout about so I have to be very patient with them. Me being the stupid, naive romantic, I think I'll stay teaching them for as long as I'm wanted as their teacher. I find it much more interesting if I can see them through to further their studies rather than a bunch of already smart urban kids anyway. And coming from a large family myself I kinda enjoy watching them grow. And anybody would enjoy watching them smile. These kids have the most sincere smiles because they've endured lots of hardships they weren't trained to smile. They just do it.
I have to admit teaching the high school kids isn't an easy feat. I have to prepare my own syllabus, I get paid only twenty bucks per hour and most of the time it's very hard to explain things to them using my experience in life because theirs are just different. If I teach some rich kids the pay will roughly be sixty bucks per hour, the syllabus and even written exercises are prepared for me in advance, and hey, if I'm crappy, they always have the internet. I have to admit, therefore, that I'm falling in love with the kids. I love them even if they can't pay attention in class, and I love them even if they played with my bike, which I hate. I love them just the way they are. So, monkeys, you have me as one of your teachers whether you like it or not.
So there, that was what I endured and felt for the last couple of months. How much do I like this thing? once I got a medical leave for 3 days because of high fever. I took 2 days off and spent the other one teaching. After the exams I'll be having these again on a regular basis. And so now I'm welcoming (and rightfully think I deserve) the break. Next semester, I'll be better. So monkeys, be ready!! Hehe.
You see, to me, teaching is something you have to do with AT LEAST SOME passion. There was this one episode of Boston Public where one of the teachers say that teachers won't get rich teaching (even if they're the best at what they do). If you've never watched Boston Public, well, let me tell you this; teachers WON'T get rich teaching (deja vu, anyone?). So if you're in a job not for the money, you have to like it a little bit don't you? Oh and by the way, it's a profession, not just a job.
Some of my Pre-U students are extremely quiet you wonder if you'd done something wrong. Some just can't stop talking amongst themselves you wonder if they hate the subject THAT much. Some paid so much attention they want to know every detail. But mostly, my Pre-U students are a blast. I think most young adults are. It's a pity I only get to teach one batch for two semesters. I like those who speak their mind the most. I find it so much fun to have a discussion and almost always it's a turn off to preach (I'm talking so you kids better SHADDAPP!). As much as I can, I treat them as adults. And it's such a joy when you get that acknowledging 'oh!' (as-in; oh! I didn't know this previously, now I do) every now and then from them. Because of this 'oh!', I'll continue to teach, even if they paid me only half of what they're paying me now, which ain't that much anyway.
I only started teaching the high school kids about a couple of months ago. They are underprivileged kids from rural areas brought to the capitol to get a chance for better education. Mostly it's hard for them to pay attention in class, being young and all. Some of them only started going to school at 15 after a few years 'break'. Before I met the kids one of the teachers there told me; the kids' IQ isn't something to shout about so I have to be very patient with them. Me being the stupid, naive romantic, I think I'll stay teaching them for as long as I'm wanted as their teacher. I find it much more interesting if I can see them through to further their studies rather than a bunch of already smart urban kids anyway. And coming from a large family myself I kinda enjoy watching them grow. And anybody would enjoy watching them smile. These kids have the most sincere smiles because they've endured lots of hardships they weren't trained to smile. They just do it.
I have to admit teaching the high school kids isn't an easy feat. I have to prepare my own syllabus, I get paid only twenty bucks per hour and most of the time it's very hard to explain things to them using my experience in life because theirs are just different. If I teach some rich kids the pay will roughly be sixty bucks per hour, the syllabus and even written exercises are prepared for me in advance, and hey, if I'm crappy, they always have the internet. I have to admit, therefore, that I'm falling in love with the kids. I love them even if they can't pay attention in class, and I love them even if they played with my bike, which I hate. I love them just the way they are. So, monkeys, you have me as one of your teachers whether you like it or not.
So there, that was what I endured and felt for the last couple of months. How much do I like this thing? once I got a medical leave for 3 days because of high fever. I took 2 days off and spent the other one teaching. After the exams I'll be having these again on a regular basis. And so now I'm welcoming (and rightfully think I deserve) the break. Next semester, I'll be better. So monkeys, be ready!! Hehe.
posted by Jibam at
8:57 AM
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