Genesis 2 vs 2

Genesis 2 vs 2 - And on the seventh day God rested…

But in this seventh week I worked harder than I have before. This week was the week of my evaluation lessons, well two of the three at least. Monday of this week was fairly uneventful, I went through the day as normal teaching the classes which I have had assigned to me. The only change however would be the preparing of my classes for the next day, Tuesday, when I would have my Evaluated lesson. By preparing the class I simply mean I spoke to them about their good behaviour in the past few weeks and how I appreciated it, but that there were a few times when the good behaviour had faded into a slightly noisy situation.  The classes were more than happy to work with me and be on their best behaviour when the evaluator got here. I had some doubts about their promises to behave, particularly the grade 9 class which I teach as there are a number of learners in that class who are quite well known in the school as talkative and difficult to manage in class. In the past, even with these particular learners I have never had any major issues although they have proven themselves to be quite talkative and easily distracted which I have been able to manage in the past quite easily. All doubts aside, I made no alterations to the class, all learners were to be present and in the place they had been sitting all along.

Tuesday arrives and I have to say, by the end of the day I had developed a new respect for the ability of the learners to buy into certain behaviour. My evaluation lessons went very well to say the least. Learners in my Natural Science class, grade 9, who are usually talkative and easily distracted were now silent and focused. Learners who had previously not wanted to speak or answer questions in class were now asking very good questions and communicating well. On this note I have had my interest sparked in studying the development of learners’ personalities in a group of strong personalities verses a group of weaker personalities. I plan to take this interest further.

My second class, the life science class of grade 10s was very much the same, learners who have difficulty judging when to talk loud and when to whisper were on their best behaviour and every single one of them was taking part and working as they were expected to.  I had one learner though who insisted on turning around to talk, this gave me a chance to show my stern side as I was able to reprimand him move him to the front of the class where I had a better chance of holding his attention. This worked very well as he was quiet for the remainder of the lesson. I have learned that I do however need to factor in more time for learners questions, especially with topics such as sexual reproduction and other topics which may require more explanation then CAPS states.  My second lesson was cut slightly short by the bell as I had spent quite some time answering questions the learners had, pertaining to the work we were busy with.

Wednesday was very much more relaxed as I had given many of my classes back to my mentor teacher in order for him to do some admin and cover some last minute work before the exam period is initiated. This gave me time to get my file in order.  This week the new prefects for 2017 were announced, and I have learned today even more then in my years of life that “Power Corrupts”. The new prefects have been given the authority of the headmistress and as such a surge in punishments have found their way into many of my classes. Many of my lower grade classes have complained about being given punishments for minor offences which they were able to get away with previously. This reminded me of a study I once read where a group of students were split and half were to act as prison guards and the other half the prisoners. The results were profound showing that even people, who were friends before, once given this power, used their power to oppress others. If this week has taught me anything it’s that children can be ruthless and brutally honest which is both a good and bad thing. I will take this lesson and use it to learn how to react appropriately when these situations arise. 

This week, being my last week at the school before I move to a second school, I had a small class party for my two grade 11 classes. It was wonderful to connect with them on a more social level and hear about their fears for what to study after matric or even just their opinion on this issue with girls’ hair which is trending at the moment. My experience at this school has been an amazing and unforgettable one. I found myself feeling empty having to leave behind “my children”. After speaking to an uncle of mine who is in the education field himself, I was assured that this feeling is confirmation that I am in the right place and that I have chosen the career paths which I am meant to be in.

I am very happy and grateful to have spent that time with those learners and the school in general and I look forward to my future in education.