Another 2 blogs entries by students. I'm putting this here to remind myself that I, and what I do makes a difference. In teaching, I sometimes feel that it is a thankless job, and that no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, the kids do not appreciate it, and I get my heart broken for nothing. I know that some people look upon teaching as just a job, but I somehow cannot do that. I cannot *not* get emotionally involved, and take things personally, and care too much.
That is the reason why I stayed the *entire* year. How could I leave in June to go to RP knowing that there was no replacement? That would mean that they would either have 'babysitters' who would not teach them any Geog, or get untrained relief teachers who would not be able to teach them Geog, or have relief teachers come and go because they were too much to handle (seeing how they like to test every teacher that comes their way)?
How could I leave in September to go to RP when it was just a week away from the 'N' Levels, and only a few weeks away from the End of Year examinations, and the 'O' Level paper? Whether they appreciate it or not, that's when they need me the most (especially those who have not been studying the whole year, and will be panicking just then?
How could I leave them just to spite the admin when I felt they were taking me for granted? True, I was not contractually bound to be there. True, the school would be royally screwed if I left giving the required 24 hr notice.
I have no illusions of indispensability. The school would manage, but I just did not have the heart to do that to the boys. It takes time to get used to a new teacher and his/her teaching style, and that is in addition to the time they would waste by bullying the new teacher. But it is extremely disruptive and unsettling, and I just could not do that to them, regardless of whether they appreciated it or not. And I'm not one to guilt anyone into appreciating me and what I do. They either do or do not. I'd be extremely touched if they do so on their own (like these kids do), and I'll bitch like crazy when they don't (admin).
Justin's
Daren's
That is the reason why I stayed the *entire* year. How could I leave in June to go to RP knowing that there was no replacement? That would mean that they would either have 'babysitters' who would not teach them any Geog, or get untrained relief teachers who would not be able to teach them Geog, or have relief teachers come and go because they were too much to handle (seeing how they like to test every teacher that comes their way)?
How could I leave in September to go to RP when it was just a week away from the 'N' Levels, and only a few weeks away from the End of Year examinations, and the 'O' Level paper? Whether they appreciate it or not, that's when they need me the most (especially those who have not been studying the whole year, and will be panicking just then?
How could I leave them just to spite the admin when I felt they were taking me for granted? True, I was not contractually bound to be there. True, the school would be royally screwed if I left giving the required 24 hr notice.
I have no illusions of indispensability. The school would manage, but I just did not have the heart to do that to the boys. It takes time to get used to a new teacher and his/her teaching style, and that is in addition to the time they would waste by bullying the new teacher. But it is extremely disruptive and unsettling, and I just could not do that to them, regardless of whether they appreciated it or not. And I'm not one to guilt anyone into appreciating me and what I do. They either do or do not. I'd be extremely touched if they do so on their own (like these kids do), and I'll bitch like crazy when they don't (admin).
Justin's
Daren's
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