I find it extremely funny that I have been surprising the colleagues here. Though I am an experienced teacher, they didn't think that I was going to be a very able teacher. Or perhaps they just haven't encountered many teachers like me. And there ARE many, eh, Sib?
So, I think the fact that I just took over the choral speaking team from the get go, was a real surprise to them. No one thought I was going to do that, not the students, not the teachers. And certainly not the admin. Instead of assisting the teacher in charge, I ended up being THE teacher in charge (although on paper I was not). I did the script and I trained the students. In a way, I also surprised myself because I had not planned to do that. But when I agreed to help, well, those who know me just know that I would end up doing more than was expected of me. In a way I learned that I simply CANNOT be put in charge of anything really as I will BE IN CHARGE! Oh boy!
Then when I mentioned to my colleague that I did the exam paper within 2-3 days, again someone was surprised. I mean, that is how I operate. I have to quickly finish it when I have the time, and mood. ;-) And I just cannot be bothered to look through countless workbooks and reference books for suitable material. Instead, I do my own. Yes, mostly original and authentic material. I have been doing this ever since I started teaching. No biggie. But this is not what most teachers do, I guess.
So, I am in charge of another choral speaking team ... I think I am going to end up being in charge of choral speaking for a long time, here. So I wrote the script within 2 days. My colleagues were very surprised. One commented I should write books for publishing. I showed her one of my workbooks, published in 2001, I think. She was VERY surprised. Hmm ... Maybe I should have kept very quiet. There goes my plan to stay under the radar. Nope, not going to happen.
So .... where am I going with this? I guess, I am not that much of an average teacher afterall. I have done things many have not thought to do.
Looking back, I realise I have done a lot! Oh yes, I am surprised too.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
Almost mid way
It's now middle of May. I'm almost mid-way through the school year in this new environment. I am adjusting. Not that easy but not that difficult either.
I enjoy the students most of the time. It's been a while since I had boys in my classes. So it's one of the more challenging things. The noise level is so much higher. The mischief is also greater. But on the whole, it's not that bad.
I still do not particularly care for my colleagues. I have no close friend here. I do not feel like any of them wants to be my friend. And I don't feel like I want to be their friend either. It's a terrible thing, isn't it? 5 months and I still feel this way. I guess most people are just too busy working to actually bother about bonding.
In a way it is an advantage. I don't spend as much time yakking, and doing other things. I concentrate on work more. However, I miss the camaraderie of an English panel that works together and are ... FRIENDS. I miss that. Really.
I also feel like I am being watched. By the powers that be. By those who might have to work more closely with me in future. I don't know. It's a strange feeling. I don't know what to expect. But I have this feeling I am not going to be in the afternoon much longer. A lot of pointers to the possibility of going to the morning session. My current KP is going to retire in Jan. So there is a spot to fill in the morning. My involvement with the choral speaking team which consisted of all morning students. It's like a tester for me. Anyway, Jon is going to the morning session next year. So it's ok. But I'll miss Jeremy again.
Am I going to stay on to teach for long? I still don't know. I think probably at least another 2 years? Or maybe, as I have always said of myself, just stay on .... and before long I'll be ready to retire.
I enjoy the students most of the time. It's been a while since I had boys in my classes. So it's one of the more challenging things. The noise level is so much higher. The mischief is also greater. But on the whole, it's not that bad.
I still do not particularly care for my colleagues. I have no close friend here. I do not feel like any of them wants to be my friend. And I don't feel like I want to be their friend either. It's a terrible thing, isn't it? 5 months and I still feel this way. I guess most people are just too busy working to actually bother about bonding.
In a way it is an advantage. I don't spend as much time yakking, and doing other things. I concentrate on work more. However, I miss the camaraderie of an English panel that works together and are ... FRIENDS. I miss that. Really.
I also feel like I am being watched. By the powers that be. By those who might have to work more closely with me in future. I don't know. It's a strange feeling. I don't know what to expect. But I have this feeling I am not going to be in the afternoon much longer. A lot of pointers to the possibility of going to the morning session. My current KP is going to retire in Jan. So there is a spot to fill in the morning. My involvement with the choral speaking team which consisted of all morning students. It's like a tester for me. Anyway, Jon is going to the morning session next year. So it's ok. But I'll miss Jeremy again.
Am I going to stay on to teach for long? I still don't know. I think probably at least another 2 years? Or maybe, as I have always said of myself, just stay on .... and before long I'll be ready to retire.
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