Sunday, 26 July 2015

Week one: learn for life

picture: Bridge House College- Learning Commons hall way

The first part of my week was a crazy mad house in a whirl wind. Seems difficult to imagine but school started as usual and I found my self lost between time tables. 
By Wednesday I had found my rhythm and really started to enjoy my classes, but to be honest I wasn't sure when people use the bathroom with everything going else going on.

The school I am at, Bridge House College, doesn't run like government schools so most things we learned in the first semester seemed to be irrelevant. The school runs on explorative learning with the motto:"we learn for life". That was exactly what I saw. Phones were out during class at appropriate times with all technology at their disposal. I love the environment, there is no set hierarchy and learners are allowed to be treat as equals across the grades and us as student teachers are teacher in their eyes.

I found my first week to be refreshing but daunting. I became a teaching assistant in the grade 9 music class and by the end of the week I was a source of help for learners. I realised I needed a red pen but I used purple case that's all I had.  Next week I start teaching lessons, 7 lesson and two piano students might I add, and I know my teaching style will be different. I hope that the learners will be receptive of my style. There is a sense of freedom in the air and I hope it stays. 

The adventure has begun and I feel ready. The most important thing I learned this week is life happens and you have to let it and adapt. 


Saturday, 18 July 2015

How do I begin?

It's a casual Saturday night where I'm chilling watching a movie hoping to be inspired, barely concentrating on the film whenight because I've seen it several times, when a line resonates deep into my soul, "our jobs as teacher is to inspire". It was a music related movie but it was about not giving up even when you have just yourself to depend on. It's an out not giving everything you have even if you have given up already. There were just so many lesson in this movie that it left me gear up and ready to take on the challenges of life and teaching with a fresh outlook on life.

I've always been a breath of fresh air, but I must admit, I have been nervous about becoming a teacher. I feel ready and confident. I know it won't be easy but I am up for the challenge. Even if I come out of my time at the school having inspired only one child I have done my job because that is one more than the day before.

"Life without music would be a mistske" - a wise woman