My One Month Teaching Experience

Growing up my parents being both teachers who poured their life into their job made me realize how beautiful yet tiring teaching is. Thus I decided to be a teacher to inspire students the way they did. I haven't finished my teaching diploma yet but i applied to the school I used to learn in last summer, so when they needed a teacher to substitute they choose me to teach for a month. Teaching in the school I used to learn in was a dream come true. I used to set in these very seats when I acquired my passion for science and I was hoping I could help my students find that passion. However, as a went around asking for their names and checking how they felt about science I was surprised that my students hated science, and the reason was their teacher. After I heard most students from grade 1,2, 5, and 6, say the same thing I knew I needed to be different to do things she does not do, however I still needed to be myself. One of the things I tried to focus on is to give my students a chance, hear them out, although their questions might be silly sometimes or too complicated, I did my best to give them answers with the knowledge I had while staying within their comprehension span. Another thing I focused in is to include all students during lesson explanation, and keeping them all engaged at the same time. I had to move around, call on students, and ask them to come to the board to write or read off the book. As to class management I have to admit it was really hard. The students are used to noisy periods, where some students would take advantage of their teacher and would get kicked from class sometimes. I put in mind that kicking students out was not an option and what happens in class can be resolved internally. In addition, I tried making science class more interesting, and with the help of the coordinator I showed my students grasshoppers, and conducted an experiment with them, I incorporated cooperative learning, used the microscope with my students and prepared slides with their help, and used the concept attainment model...If it was not for the stress and the pressure I felt juggling school and university I would say I had a great experience. Of course this month was not perfect but I am proud to say that my students look happy when they see me.