As a new
teacher, I have had to raise my voice a couple of times to get the learners
back on task. Sometimes I feel
mean, but with classes this large in classrooms that echo with every small
noise made, it is needed and I think expected. Today however, was different. It was the first time I actually yelled or seriously raised
my voice at a class. Looking back
now, I regret it, but I do not know how I would have changed the
situation. So that you understand,
let me share what happened. I had
8A Arts today during 9th period. The learners had started a picture a couple weeks back. When I arrived to class, I told them to
take out the drawing, to finish it, to borrow my colors, and to turn it in
before they left. I even made the
comment that if they lost it, they needed to start over and still turn it
in. Throughout the class, students
were working. Some were already
finished and were able to start other homework, but still, others were working
on their art. I periodically asked
if they were doing ok, and briefly walked around to check up on them. At the end of the class, learners
turned in their work. However,
there were a couple boys that had done nothing. They had “lost” their work and had not bothered to restart
the assignment. To say I was mad
was probably an understatement. I
wasn’t just mad, I was irritated, I felt disrespected, and I was angry at their
lack of motivation. And lack of
motivation is exactly what a lot of it is. These learners have excessive amounts of study opportunities,
but yet I am not receiving homework from half of the class. I know this happens in America, but I
was always a student to turn in everything on time. I am not sure if the situations are arising because I am new
and they see me as easy, but I have been recording all of their grades and keeping
track of everything they do. I
also don’t know if this is just their individual work ethic. Maybe they act like this in every
class. Who is to say?
In other
news, I am struggling with constantly being told to do things. I do not think learners have been
taught to form a question outside of the classroom. “Miss, give me water. Miss, I am hungry.
Miss, give me a dictionary.
Miss, give me cooking oil.
Miss, let me see your pictures.
Miss, I am coming to watch a movie tomorrow.” My thoughts…Miss um excuse me?! Again, I’m not sure how to handle this situation. I honestly only have enough resources
for myself. I have let learners
“borrow” stuff and have not had it returned. I have lent a helping hand, which leads to helping everyone. That is the hardest part. I know that these learners are hungry
and hot and thirsty, but there are 400 of them, and only one of me. I don’t have the money to help all of
them, so it really isn’t right for me to do some of this stuff for any of them. I don’t really see the learners going
to the other teachers, but I may be wrong. Maybe they are asking and I am oblivious. This situation extends to more than
just the learners though. I have
had teachers do similar things.
“Miss Mac, give me your marking pen.” Thoughts, suggestions, and prayers pertaining to this
situation are greatly appreciated!
Lastly, the
water is out again and my toilet is broken. Thank the Lord for that outhouse or my house would be a
disgusting, smelly mess. With a
bajillion people using our toilet that is incapable of flushing, it is 100%
clogged and nobody, including myself has taken the time to fix it. I avoid that bathroom like the plague
it is so gross to me, so I would rather use the outhouse than attempt to fix
the toilet. As for the water, I
guess I need to just get used to that going out weekly. It usually comes back on within the
day, so that’s not too awful.
During these times, I awkwardly take a bucket shower and savor every drop
of water I have in my fridge. It
is also beneficial to have canned food items in stock all the time, since
cooking can get limited during these days/hours.
Well, that’s
all for today. I am hoping
Thursday and Friday go by quickly and I can get into Opuwo as soon as possible
to see all of my friends. I am
counting down the class periods until I’m there. Only 10 to go!
All my love,
Tay
P.S. The principal kept “praising” me for
being the only one ever on time and for handing in all of my preparation
forms. It’s nice to get some
approval, but I’m not sure the other teachers are digging it.
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