Even though teaching is a really noble profession, it is not highly valued in my country, especially for those who work in private schools.
In contrast to private schools where you are paid a meagre amount and you are also likely to being fired at any time, public schools offer better salary compared to private schools and pension benefits after retirement.
I have first-hand knowledge and experience of what it's like to be a teacher because my mum has always been one and because I had the chance to teach at various schools while I was waiting to get admitted to the university.
Even though I was teaching English at the time, chemistry is the topic I would have wanted to teach.
I mean, I wasn't even qualified to teach English language as a subject to secondary school students at the time because I was just done with secondary school myself. But because these private schools would rather appoint someone who isn't qualified than appoint the right person just so they won't pay the right amount.
I killed it though and my students loved me. I ended up teaching two other subjects in addition to English language.
Teachers are being overworked here and are not really valued.
Due to my secondary school chemistry teacher's laziness, I didn't like the subject at all. He shows up for class and simply hands out writing prompts.
We write at least 10 pages during his period in the textbook we were using at the time, Ababio.
My notebook is always so full that you would think my teacher is the best but he never explains.
He would even flog us for not knowing answers to what he hasn't taught us. I mean, we were in SS1 (1st year in high School) and new to this so how are we supposed to know those chemical terms?
Now that I think about it, maybe it wasn't his field of study.
This made me have very less interest in the subject but thankfully I later got to know chemistry is a very interesting subject with the help of a tutor I met at a tutorial when I was in SS2 (2nd year in high school) who simplified it and made it very easy for me.
Chemistry is the study of the behaviour and properties of matter and it's also a link between physics and biology..
It explains a lot of things and it can be easily related to things around us like the growth of plants, formation of rocks, the atmosphere, our environment and other things.
I always returned to my text book after my tutoring session because Ienjoyed the teaching and wanted to know more. Something I've never done before ☺️.
Therefore, if I were to ever have the chance to teach again, I would love to teach chemistry. I would also like to simplify the way chemistry is being taught in schools as a subject and form a strong relationship with my students.
Chemistry isn't the most simple subject but with the right teacher it's easier to understand.
