Being a teacher means being a multitasking individual. I enjoy teaching a lot. It works like meditation for me. When I'm with my students I feel at home. The enchanting engagement, personal thoughts and shared ideas as well as their innocent observations make me overshadowed.
Recently, I have been teaching a thousand school students. I am a second language (English) teacher for them. Not only the academic topics I teach but also other aspects of language that foster my students skills and expertise for the target language. My main focus is to make them aware and skilled on the four basic language skills which are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
©chrysanthemum
I run a club called 'English Language Club' where I try to motivate my students to participate in conversations in English, acquire the skill of fluency, intonation, social English, extempore and learn the skill of debate. Most of my students are super enthusiastic and eager to participate in participation based learning in order to improve their speaking skill in a foreign language.
I always try to keep a balanced and positive environment in my classroom making my students feel free to join in active learning. Fun activities, group work, discussion sessions and open QA sessions are the basic strategies that I always follow and truly speaking my students love these kinds of activities. They are fond of me as well. I can feel and literally see that into their eyes.
However, I am not here to share my teaching strategy today, rather I want to share a recent experience that made my teaching career more meaningful. It was October 5 and you all know that this day is observed as the Teacher’s Day worldwide. It has a significant story behind it. One Indian teacher is responsible for its worldwide appeal and celebration. I don't want to repeat that.
I have to conduct five to six classes every school working day. Each class contains around 50 to 55 students who are early learners. If you are a teacher or you have some sort of idea about it, you can easily understand the hectic part of it. October 5 was a similar day to me. I forgot about the date and went to school on time. I had six classes and I was mentally prepared for them.
And the school hour starts; my first class was with grade five students. When I entered their classroom all the students started clapping and wishing me a happy Teacher’s Day. I was truly overwhelmed with their wishes. I thanked them and wished them too. Many of them brought hand made gift colorful gifts for me. The amateur handwriting and simple presentation on the small papers started to signify their innocent love and admiration for a teacher.
Many brought pens, chocolates, homemade foods, diaries ect. for me as gifts. I told them that I should also give them something as a return gift; but I didn’t bring any. And ask sorry for their poor teacher. They all laughed but one of them said, sir, you are already given your precious gift to us which is knowledge and we are so grateful to you for that.
Among them one girl seemed sad and I asked the reason, she said she didn’t bring a gift and that is why she feels bad for it. I told her that she doesn't need to feel bad about it. I also told her to pray for me and that is the most precious gift for me. However, I think she understood and her smile came back on her face.
During the time of my scheduled classes these things started repeating over and over again. At the end of the day my desk was full with wrapped gifts and many colorful cards. I had no idea that my students would celebrate and wish me that day.
I don't know if I am a good teacher or not; but on that day I realized that I was successful in making some kind of good impression on my students. They never tell lies or hide anything that I want to know. Every time they speak to me, I can feel their innocent honesty and truthfulness. Many parents talked to me about their kid and they said that your student loves you a lot sir and they listened to you more than me. Please take good care of them and teach them the best of human qualities.
I try to assure them that me as a teacher has the goal of a better future for my students and as a guardian you have a similar kind of aim too. That is what makes us alike for them. I am working on my side and if you motivate my students I think we can fulfill our desired goal.
Though teaching is not a good career option in a country like mine. A very low grade salary with little facilities as a teacher we enjoy. But the love and respect we get from our students cannot be compared with anything in the world. Whatever my mental condition or stress level or economic status is, when I am with my students and see their innocent smile and jostling ambience around me I feel good. And I think being a teacher is the best thing that has happened to me.
Please keep me in your prayers and suggest me anything you feel I should try to give my students and contribute in shaping their better future. Thanks for your time and company.
With💙
©chrysanthemum
