Being Honest About Teaching
I think being a teacher is an important job and will always be, but I never had any experience of what it is like, nor did I ever think I would do it at some point. I am doing it now for the first time, and the least I would say is that it is not what I could have ever imagined it to be.
Right off the bat, I would say that I do not exactly enjoy being a teacher. It may be because of the circumstances I am subjected to or the fact that it probably really isn't my thing. I do it anyway, as that is supposed to be my service to my country.
Other than being on Hive in the foreground and background daily, doing the same old things (that always excite me), I spend some of my time teaching at a technical college. Does it pay the bills? Heh. Just hold on a little for that answer.
Like every other teacher, what I have to do, essentially, is show up in the classrooms designated to me at the right times. I teach physics only, and then I offer what I brought to the students that day. I continue that until the end of the term, when the students take their examinations.
Now, ever since I have been doing this job, I have been questioning my ability to impart knowledge to people—the young ones at my school, at least. Why? Well, because it usually appears as though I teach Mandarin and all they understand at the end of the class is "Do you understand?" Then, of course, their response is usually "No, sir!" Then again, I would sigh out of frustration.
At times, I wonder where the issue may lie. I mean, this isn't just my experience alone. Many of my colleagues say the same thing. Could it be the foundation or something? I think of that because I often have to refer to concepts that they should already know at their level so they get a grasp of what I am explaining, but then discover that I am only speaking German to them instead.
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Now, I do not come close to being great at my job either. I admit that it's my first time, and I really do not think I have the skills to do this job as effectively as I should. But I think I know how I'd like for someone to explain things to me, and that's what I try to implement with the students.
However, when I think about how I was when I was like that, I remember that I wasn't so great of a student. At that time, I was even really terrible with physics and subjects like mathematics, chemistry, and further mathematics. Man, I wondered just how I would even make it to the university. I didn't even understand math alone, let alone going further!
So then, I just mellow when I am about to get a tad bit frustrated with my job. But then again, I also remember working on myself—very hard, for that matter—and doing very well with my grades with time. However, I think about it again: we're all different and have our own paces.
To be very honest, I am only doing this job because I was posted by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to teach at that school in service to my country. I like to think that there are other ways I could serve, but we're doing this now anyway.
The incentives I get are the monthly allowances the federal government gives us. Sometimes, the state government gets touched by a spirit to give us allowances in some months. What I get from the school is "Thank you!" And, of course, that fills my belly more than five packs of pizza.
By the way. Have I mentioned that it's chalkboards? I thought we were in 2024. Marker boards are much more convenient, indisputably.
With this little experience with teaching, I have come to the conclusion that I would rather do other jobs that are more within my strength and zeal to do than be a teacher. It's not what I expected. And so I give salutations to the teachers far and near.
After June, which is when I will be done with service, I'll go back to where I came from. If I ever get skilled at teaching, maybe I could reconsider, but I'd rather not afterwards. Until then, I'll be trying to conquer this mountain of 500 scripts to mark.
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😂😂😂😂, Jay pardon me but these facts are true. Sometimes one feels like he or she cannot go on with the profession but the next day, that person is up and ready to meet the kids.
I have been teaching for thirteen years now and I can tell you categorically that it has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions but gladly I have learnt to look beyond myself, the kids shortcomings and reach for the passion that fuels my being a teacher and that is what has kept me going.
Ah. That one is not me o 😄
I am usually not ready. But we do it anyway.
I admire your zeal with the kids. I wish I could be like that, but I realise now that it really isn't where my strength lies.
I'm curious. What do your students call you?
They call me mistress Bee😜
Lolz, you made me laugh bro and truly, teaching job isn't easy. The students can be very annoying sometimes and the income can barely take care of your bills despite what you have to go through everyday to impact knowledge.
I have been there and know what it means. I won't deny my love for the job but the pay is very discouraging.
If it's income ehn, just zero it in this country. There aren't that many schools that rewards their teachers adequately.
At the very least, you enjoy it. I think I'd rather be under administrative work than to teach. I mean, I can manage, but I'd rather not—for now, at least.
I know you're not a teacher at the moment. But how long did you teach for the last time?
Just three years, sir. I was supporting myself with the afternoon school coaching but at a point, it wasn't worth. I had lots of bills and the money wasn't doing me the good I needed.
I see. Then you had to change jobs. It's sad that teaching is so undervalued and underpaid.
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I have had experience as a teacher and I see what you mean!
It's a very difficult and responsible job.
Not every person, even with specialized education, can work with kids 🙂
Working with kids takes skills, patience, anf understanding. It's not all that easy, but one can learn with time. Education, too, but it's not so straightforward for me.
What did you teach back when you were in education?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oh boy...each paragraph came with so much laughter 😃😃😃😃
What a read..what a job indeed, lmao 🤣😂
I feel Ur standard is too high for thos little kids to understand..I can only imagine the kind of grammar you will be using to teach them
Maybe calm down to the lowest level let's see if there will be a change..lolz
You should be in tech industry if not that our government doesn't know how to properly post corpers
Anyways, I know you can impart knowledge to people, just keep trying Ur best while you are still there...500 scripts to mark? I jump and pass😃😃🤣
Me I was ranting, Nkem was laughing?? 😄 Nothing spoil.
I don't raise any standards high biko
If anything, I break things down to the simplest. And they usually enjoy my stories o. I will na be surprised that many still don't get the point.
It's tech I should be doing o, let me be racking my brain there. I'm not enjoying being a teacher at all.
Come and help me na 🥹
Haha 😆😆😂
Jay avoid me biko🏃🏃🏃🤸
😂
I know exactly what you mean. Already, teaching is a great job, but very difficult. My mother has been teaching for over 25 years.
And she sees it: it's getting harder and harder to teach kids things. Her colleagues see it too, and other teachers in other countries see it too.
This is due to several things really:
But I'm sure you have a huge impact on the lives of all these young people. I've always hated school. But I remember all my teachers very well. The ones I worked with the most were those with good non-verbal communication (gestures, eye contact, patience and empathy) and those who practiced reverse pedagogy.
The interesting thing about the education system here, in most places, is that it really hasn't improved or changed for decades. The curriculum is the same. And, just like it was in most schools years ago, many still don't have adequate facilities, even in 2024. It's sad.
But of course, teaching kids is seeming harder to do with time as their demands increasing.
I think, naturally, most people would incline towards people that listen and understand them with empathy. I was more connected to that kind of teachers, too.
If you wanted to teach, what subject would you rather handle?
Interesting question. Even though I'm far from an expert on the subject because it's so broad, I think I'd teach philosophy.
But to young children. I think it's vital that every child learns to think for themselves instead of copying others. It's a powerful exercise to ask and think about difficult questions.
Teaching can be really tough! But you're doing your best. It's good that you're honest about your experience. Keep up the hustle, things will improve.
Oh, yes. It can be a challenge sometimes. Thank you, Jessy.
This is something I too do not like, I can teach other things funny enough, not just in a classroom
Yeah. Being in the education system isn't all that fascinating for many of us.
I can relate to how frustrating it is teaching kids over and over again and they don't seem to understand. Sometimes you begin to doubt your ability to teach.
Honestly, I wonder how those who have teaching careers do it.
Yes, man. But we can only keep trying and seeking ways to do better at it. For some other people, though, they are natural at the job.
You are funny 🤣🤣🤣
Honestly, the stress in teaching can not be ruled out at all but what do we do as a teacher?
I have been teaching for the past 12 years, every day, I see myself quitting and I still find myself back again.
Teaching is not for the weak🤣🤣🤣
12 years? Wow. Just wow. I wonder all the things you have seen. I guess you just get used to it with time.
Teaching is not for the weak abeg. 😄
What subject do you teach?
Yes o, I have seen a lot but the passion fir it won't let you quit even if you want to🤣
I teach ICT
That's so nice. You're actually passionate about it. 12 years is a lot. ICT was one of my favourite while I was in secondary school because I liked my teacher very much. She was nice, and a Corper like I am today.
That's good to know 👏
To be an educator you must have a vocation and a lot of patience, if it is not your thing, look for another way, another task in which you feel more comfortable. I was a ticket taker at an amusement park and I really didn't like it, so I quit that job. Much later I had to work with a group of young people who belonged to an art collective, I had to teach them accounting so they could better manage their economic resources and I think only 10 percent of them understood me, the other 90 percent was focused on their artistic work. !.
The thing is, if I could change jobs, I would. What I am doing here, however, is a necessary service to my country. More like community service thing. I was posted to that school and can't really do anything about it.
How long did you teach the art students accounting for?
At this point I give up on your students 🤣🤣. Jeez, may nothing make me enter classroom for anything.
Endure it with good heart, that's you signed up for. Remember *under the sun or in the rain, with dedication and selflessness.....
Oya finish the rest 😂
#dreemerforlife
If I show you their exam scripts ehn...you will just cry for me. I was just marking really low scores. Imagine 0/60.
Nigeria's ours, Nigeeeeriaaaaa.....we serve! 😂
Ahh, that means nothing entered their heads after all. This is serious, How are they going to move to the next class or even take external exams?
Lol, during my time I did the best I could do but never involved myself in their exam or marking of script. The subject teacher wanted to involve me after buying me 4kilos of chicken then as an appreciation for filling in for her all the months she was away but I still did not accept to mark 🤣
Hey jay, #dreemport landed me here again, of course because I am a #dreemerforlife 😃
Thank you 😄