The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Happy Teachers' Day 2018!

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

Happy Teachers' Day 2018!


...Ang inyo pong abang lingkod ay isa nang ganap na guro..!

Yours truly is now a fully-fledged teacher.

Yes, that's the good news that I've been wanting to share for so long but just couldn't find the right opportunity; since it is October 5 today which is celebrated annually as World Teachers' Day, I think it is now the perfect time to share it! I was just hired last September and I've been practicing the profession for almost a month. I consider my self truly blessed this year from passing the board exam to getting hired as a public school teacher. It's very difficult to get hired in public schools due to the strict selection process and I was even luckier considering that I have no teaching experience which a huge chunk of the overall criteria.

I am quickly adjusting to the new environment and busy schedule. My students get a reprimand from me almost everyday that I began questioning myself if what I was doing is right but I came to realize that it was an early sign of developing genuine love for my students that I am here to guide and correct them so they can be a step closer to their dreams.

I am teaching 3 subjects currently to 80 Grade 7 students. AP (Araling Panlipunan - Social Studies - Asian History); MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health); and TLE (Technology and Livelihood Education - Handicraft Production - with focus on Embroidery). Who would have thought I'll be handling these especially the last two since I have never considered my self athletic or artistic. :) It was challenging at first but I am slowly getting the hang of it, from actual instruction to classroom management. Classrooms can be chaotic sometimes due to 13 year olds emotional turmoil thrown into a melange of puberty and constructing their personal identity; but l feel I can control them more now compare to my first days which make the delivery of instruction way easier.

I once spoke in Mandarin to attract their attention and it was effective. :) And I see a considerable number of students who are willing to learn it; always asking me to teach them whenever they see me, their eyes glimmer even if it's just a simple word. I am thinking of pioneering a foreign language class to share what I know even how little it is.


Some gifts that I received from some students during our Teachers' Day Celebration. Even without it, their greetings inspire me more!

Although I have no bread or two to share now, I would like to take this opportunity to greet all teachers here in the TFL community a Happy Teachers' Day! Not only those who are teaching in schools but every baker here who teaches every baking aficionado  everything that they know for the improvement of skills and the realization of dreams! I am so thankful to all of you!

Maligayang Araw ng mga Guro!

Happy Teacher's Day!

Comments

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

That is wonderful! It is a hard profession but you will feel amazing once you know you helped students grasp new concepts. 

Classroom management is a skill you will learn in time. There is a fine line between having fun with your students and the whole place being chaos. I don’t know your routines, (do students sit at desks all day or do they work in groups at times?), but wait time, a good glare, proximity and the use of humour goes a long way to keeping a class well behaved. Especially if they are teens. The big thing is to bond with your students. That means you get to know them and you genuinely care for them. 

I am so happy for you!?

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

It incredibly satisfying when students learn from you.

You're absolutely right, classroom management is a skill that takes time and has a steep learning curve. What do you mean bu wait time? I'm practicing the last 3 tips you shared. :) And I want to add more to my bag of tricks. I was hired in the middle of a grading period so I do not know the students well during my first 2 weeks so I only gave lectures but now, I am able to plan group activities for them and I noticed they're more behaved when they're busy. :)

Happy Teachers' Day too! You are a great teacher, and you helped me a lot as a beginner in French.

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

is simply waiting until the class is ready to listen before you start talking. The first few times, you might have to wait for a bit before everyone is paying attention but that time will get shorter as they realize you aren’t going to be talking over anyone and that you expect them to listen and look at you during lessons. This might not be an issue with your kids but Canadian kids often just keep talking and teachers try to talk over them. That just doesn’t work and lets the kids know that you allow them to do what they want while you are teaching. And yelling or telling them to be quiet doesn’t work either. Wait time is very effective, it just takes a bit of time at the beginning but it sure pays off during the year. 

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

My students have their own world while I'm discussing something. I am already employing wait time but I do not wait long enough, I tried to wait a bit more earlier this day and yes, it was so effective. Some students became little assistants that told their classmates to be quiet. I'm also planning to use the N-O-I-S-E strategy to make them even more behaved.

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

with that strategy. What is it?

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

You write N-O-I-S-E on the blackboard or anywhere where it is visible to the whole class and you take a letter out every time the class misbehaves. When only the letters N-O remain, there should be no more talking or those misbehaving or sometimes the whole class will get a consequence. I've read many sources that state its effectiveness.

Yippee's picture
Yippee

again, Pal! Happy Teacher's Day!

Please share stories about your new career with us whenever you can.  Love to hear from you!

Yippee

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

I have so many stories to share. :) Thank you always!

DesigningWoman's picture
DesigningWoman

I'm sure you will work wonders with these students. Your mindset has you "thinking outside the box", which is an invaluable asset. Your kids will benefit by that enormously. Go get 'em, Tiger!

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

I think I have adjusted to the school environment and culture enough that I can plan more interesting activities for my students. Merci !

Elsie_iu's picture
Elsie_iu

I'm glad you're getting more comfortable with your teaching life :)

You must have gained your students' respect and admiration in just a month to receive all those gifts. Really impressive job!

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

I hope what you said is true. Every day gets better and better as I got to know my students better. Thanks!

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

What great news.  My teacher wife retires after 42 years and my favorite nephew is just starting teaching!  How the world turns!  Good luck with the students.  They want to learn and you want to teach them so it is a marriage made in heaven.  There is no profession more generous and generosity is the most important, if most difficult, character attribute to have and hold dear.  You cannot succeed at anything without it.  Now we can start working on finding you a nice lady to marry so you can share your lives with each other - being able to share is another fine character attribute come to think of it.  It is a fine way to be more than you could ever be on your own - so keep your eye out for her and choose wisely.......maybe she will choose you back.  Ahhhh..... to be young again:-)

I'mso proud of you Job.  The bast to you and your parents - they must be proud too.

Allison Slattery's picture
Allison Slattery

Hi,

I've been a teacher too for the past 21 years.  I would recommend reading the book Teaching with Love and Logic.  I read it early in my career and review it often.  It is also a book that I gift to new teacher friends as it is such a fantastic resource for classroom management and relationship building.  Classroom management and relationship building are the keys to a strong learning environment.  You seem to intuitively grasp that concept so I am sure you are well under way to being an amazing educator!

Also, Twitter is a great resource for connecting with other educators all over the world.  I'd definitely recommend starting an account if you don't already have one.  I'm @allisonslattery on Twitter.

Best of luck!

Allison