Starting my NYSC year, I was being hopeful that I should be posted to any kind of workplace as long as it does not have to do with teaching but unfortunately, I was posted in a school. The good thing about it is that it is one of the biggest and most popular schools in Nigeria. Also, they pay well and that served as a motivation for me to accept the offer.
Starting the teaching job, what I expected is not what I got and to be very honest, I got something that is way better than what I was expected but in the aspect of stress, the teaching job is more stressful than I thought.
Dealing with different kinds of kids is not easy and it’s not just about dealing with kids but about dealing with some kids suffering from autism, some kids who are just naturally hyperactive, some who don’t catch up quickly in class and you gotta explain a million times before they understand you. I understand that every child can’t be the same but this thing is really tiring because they are drawing us back.
At the same time, we deal with different kind of parents too. There are ones who wouldn’t want you to correct their child over what they have done wrong, some who look down on you and acting like Lords over you which I’ve experienced and so many other people like that.
I think taking this job has helped me in two main aspects of my life. Firstly, I’m very patient now. Then, I was always quick to anger but come to think of it, I can’t get angry at all of the things my pupils do to me. If I do so, it is possible for my blood pressure to be very high and I’d even beat the pupils too much that they may decide to report me to their parents. That may lead to something like sanctioning them or so which will give me a very bad reputation so I have to be careful.
Secondly, I mentioned that we have so many pupils dealing with autism and things like that. At first, I never knew how autism works so I was always thinking that cane could solve all things by beating those who are suffering from autism but it became a different thing entirely. Fortunately, I began to like a pupil who is suffering from this and I met with his therapist. He explained almost everything anout autism and I even went as far as studying some courses about autism online because I really want him to get well.
I’ve also seen the way other pupils treat the ones who are suffering from autism but they need to be loved and that’s why I’m making sure that I show them the love that so many people do not. Living in the four walls of this classroom has taught me a lot including me imagining how my marital life will be and how I’d be bringing my kids to school, lol.
There are so many things I’ve learnt here but can’t even remember to say so I must say that my stay or experience in this great citadel has helped me to add more valuable knowledge to my experience.
Image taken with my phone camera