2008-01-30 18:05:00
Well, it's finally going to happen! I've been putting this off for a long while, but Marli kicked me hard enough to get over it.
I'm going to teach a class.
The very thought still makes my stomach do somersaults, it's silly really. This is exactly what I'm studying for, so I ought to be longing for this moment! Of course, I realize that stage freight is something completely natural, but to be putting it off for months on end is just stupid. But now it's going to happen! In part because Marli got me out of my rut and in part because I'll fail my VAKDID2 class if I don't D:
My classmate Gineke is giving me a huge break, but letting me teach this class to one of her first year's groups. She tells me their absolute sweethearts, so I really have nothing to worry about.
In a week's time (OMG!DEADLINE!) I'll be introducing a group of first year's students to the concept of negative numbers. On the one hand this deadline's great, since it's putting some real pressure on me. On the other it's a bit scary, because I really have to push myself hard to make it.
I'm going to teach a class.
My very first time, in front of a room filled with youngsters that -aren't- there to listen to me talk about anime or Japan. My very first time, trying to educate the young. My very first time, making my career switch more real than it ever was! This is why I've been working my ass off the past few months. I need to remember to enjoy the experience and not just try to be perfect.
I'm going to teach a class.
Oh my!..
kilala.nl tags: school, teaching,
View or add comments (curr. 6)
Posted by Thomas
Thank you -so- much Kirsten! I was hoping you'd drop by to find this post. Thank you for your tips and for the encouragement. I'm really happy with'm :)
Posted by Menno
Thomas you are good at anything you attempt. I´m sure you´ll be a succes :)
Posted by Thomas
Also let me restate that Marli is the one who actually got me so far to actually make the call. She was fed up with me not doing anything about it and delivered the swift asskicking that was required.
So: yay! for the supportive wiffums! :)
All content, with exception of "borrowed" blogpost images, or unless otherwise indicated, is copyright of Tess Sluijter. The character Kilala the cat-demon is copyright of Rumiko Takahashi and used here without permission.
2008-01-31 16:30:00
Posted by Kirsten (website)
:) Good luck :) First time afterwards so so fullfilling (hows that spelled?)
And every class has sweethearts in it the first time you stand before them. You dont have to worry about that. It's the 3th time you stand before them you have to start worrying about :) Because they'll start to seek your limits. And if you don't correct them from the start, the 7th time you have them you want to walk out screeming and wondering why you wanted to be a teacher.
So :) good advice..... do correct from the 2nd class you give. Give them "strafwerk" or something. Think about what kind of strafwerk you want to give in advance if something happens. But that's the hardest part of being a beginner, 95% of the students fail to do that because they want to be the nice/fun stagiair. Well guess what :) They don't care :P
Not to scare you off :) I'm in my 3th year now, and I have seen te bottom, but last year I have grown so hard that I really enjoy teaching atm. I'm going to class with a smile, and the childeren get quiet when I ask them to. And that with VMBO students. I even can feel the bond between them and me growing. That's the best feeling a teacher can have I think.
But! Really :) Prepared good, you're going to kick ass :) And indeed remember that even teachers teaching for over 30 years make mistakes. The good thing is children forgive you for that if they like you. (just don't be liked the first month)
And thank God I'm not teaching English ;)