Saturday, November 27, 2010

Where did the year go?

I look at this blog of mine and wonder how a month passed by without my even noticing. And then I look at the year , 2010 almost gone. What did we achieve?

Our children are all in a holiday mood. They are talking a little louder, walking a little faster and an air of expectancy mixed with the smells of floor polish fills the corridors.

As teachers, we must review the year and critically examine any mistakes we have made. The object of review is to make sure that in the 2011 academic year, we offer our students the very best of ourselves from day one.

That many teachers neglect their homes and families during the year and put the school first, I acknowledge. That members of the public jealously espouse opinions on how long our December holidays are,I know. Do we need an annual break? Definitely!

In defense of our profession and our much envied holidays, I always tell family members that the December break is spent on preparation for the next school year. Unfortunately this is not true for all members of our much-maligned profession.

While teachers start to wind down and begin to hand in final mark-sheets; I would urge them to look very carefully at the results their students have attained. I would further like to suggest that if a child has not fared very well or even failed in your particular learning area or subject; that you are responsible and accountable for his failure. So what could you have done differently? Did you try to reach the quiet children who clearly experienced language barriers this year? Or did you follow the policy of "As long is the child is quiet and not disturbing my class, I will just leave him undisturbed and unchallenged" ?

Did you notice the little girl, ever studious, always writing down notes while you spoke, never venturing to answer a question this year? Did you leave her unacknowledged? Did you smile at her often enough? Did you make eye contact with her while you were teaching? Did you find out why she was so fearful of failure? Did you notice her final mark this year? How did she do? Are you willing to take responsibility for her under-average results?

Think carefully too about the labels you have used this year. Did you use words like "useless", or even "stupid"? Do you think those words spoken in haste may stay with that student for the rest of his life; or do you think, that as a teacher, you really have no influence on a child's self esteem?

Think back to your own schooldays. Which teachers made a real difference in your life? Have you tried to be like them, to emulate their example in order to change young lives? Or have you been too busy, too hung up on finishing the curriculum to even notice the children who needed a solid role model?

Now , as you spring-clean your home and set off for the family holiday, will you spare a thought for the children you will teach next year? Do you think they have a bed to sleep in, enough clothes apart from their uniform to wear? Do they have a mother, or a father? What will they be doing while you cut the Christmas ham?

Maybe you cannot feed and clothe them all, these children that you teach. So what is that you can do next year to really make a difference? Love them and teach them well. Prepare properly so that from day one, all the preparation admin is behind you and you can focus on what happens in the classroom - your point of contact and access. Keep your notes and activities graded - cater for the slower children and decide to keep the faster ones busy - prepare extension activities, reading cards and materials designed to extend their interests and skills.

Resolve to make learning fun in 2011; and spend an hour or two a day of your long holiday focused on what and how and who you will teach next year. Collect unused books from friends and family, start collecting extra resources that you know could attract the interest of your classes. Cut out the ads that smack of materialism and think of ways to protect and dissuade your learners from being sucked into their message. Read a few teen magazines and try to imagine the pressures placed upon the children in your care.

Teachers, during the long break ahead, spare a thought for the children you will teach next year.