Saturday, May 06, 2006
@1:11 AM
Anyone miss me out there?! (quick leave me a msg then) haha. Well life hasnt been a bed of roses but then even if it has just been pathed with bouganvillas, I am still appreciating every moment of it. Indeed I have been super super busy and so the very reason why my blog has been hanging. Practicum has just ended (20 Feb - 5 May) and it has been an eye opening and learning experience.
Being observed by my superiors is a great challenge for me. Coming up with super interesting lessons to show off my capablities and teaching skills (that's what my CTs said was required) have been extremely brain-draining. More than often what I've planned cannot be executed due to some unforeseen circumstances. I have fought through 10 observations and each has it's own story. In my own ways, I have won this first battle.
As I did my final packing today, I asked myself, do I really want to do this? I do not regret choosing this profession if you ask me. Being with the children has been a great joy. They may get on my nerves more than often; handing up incomplete work, endless chasing of undone corrections, not giving full attention in class,... but hey, which teacher can get the ideal classroom of pupils, and what exactly is the definition of the ideal classroom?
I was assigned a p3 and p5 class. Maths for both levels and science for p5. The p3s came from the second best class while my p5s were the lower end. I'm more attached to my p5s, perhaps because I have many more periods with them. And also because knowing that they are weaker pushed me to reach out to them further... and I know I'll miss them more. Whatever it is, I hope I was not just able to tell, but explain, demonstrate and better still, inspire. It was not only the pupils who were learning but I definitely had an enriching learning experience from the pupils themselves. Despite the rollercoaster ride during these past 3 months, I know my practicum couldn't have been this good if not for the support of my family, friends, fellow trainees, colleagues and of course my great CTs.
And today, admiring all the extra things I brought home with me, I know,
I was enslaved, in a vast love affair with 83 children :)
"The teacher can consult outside of hours with his superiors or colleagues; he can get advice and talk over his difficulties. But when he goes into the classroom, shuts the door, takes the lonely seat behind the desk, and looks into the shining morning faces, then he is thrown back absolutely on himself. No power on earth can help him, and nothing can save the situation if he makes a blunder. There he needs all his resources, all his courage, and infinite patience."
