It was a Monday morning. I got up, took my bath and with lots of excitement, I dressed up and off I went to the school I was posted to for my field experience (teaching practice).
As I walk down the busy street, Lots of thoughts browse through my mind. I kept asking myself nervously; Are you sure you are ready for this? Do you think you can take responsibility for the pupils that would be handed over to you? Will you ever be accepted with an open arms by them?.. Common! I have studied and learned a lot in college what should be my fear?! Moreover, I have stand and act(drama) on many stage involving different kinds of great men in attendance primary school pupils cannot scare me!
Seeing the sign post of the school from a far got my heart pounding harder... Damn, here I am. I was directed to the head teacher's office and from there, he took me straight to my class after a nice welcome.
Yea! Finally I'm in the class the pupils are still out. I can do this. Like a general on the battle field I was filled with confident. I will start with introduction, Follow by classroom management, then we will proceed with our first teaching and learning. Here they come! Confidently they marched into the class just like an army forming into a battle formation.
With a lovely smile I said; Good morning pupils! Expecting a reciprocal of the smile and salutation. My Expetaion was cut off by a frown. Quickly, it was like my system(brain) was upgraded to super computer as I ask and answer millions of questions per seconds within me. I took my bath and brush before coming to school now! I bend to check if my pant zip was opened, pipped through the window to check the mirror outside to see if I was roughly dressed or got something on my body. I was okay! What the hell is then going on?! As I turn back to them, before I could introduce myself which I thought could be the reason why they shunned me, I was attacked by the class captain as he called himself. Mr. Isaac right? Within me I thought how did he know my name? I answered yes? He continued; teachers knows everything right? Within me I know the answer is NO and we were thought not to make the pupils feel as if the teacher don't know everything but honestly, I never wanted to become a teacher and I was not present in the class when they were thought ways of dealing with technical and tough q by students/pupils. I looked at him and I answered yes! He said; Do you know everything? Looking me in the eyes confidently. For the first time in my life I got scared and what's funny is that I got scared by a twelve years old boy. With a low tune I answered yes. He said sir please differentiate between WHILE and WHILST! Boom! Isaac you are dead! I stood like an image. This boy killed me. 'While' I know which one is 'whilst'? My phone was not with me google can't help out. I cannot loose to this small boy. I pick up the chalk I wrote WHILE on the board;
While: meaning a period of time or at the same time.
I turned to back to the boy. Tour said while and what?... He replied; Whilst sir!
I thought holding up the chalk against the board; Whistle? No! Whirl? Damn No!!! I can't even spell the damn word! Yes!!! A thought came to my mind: why not ask one of them to help out with the other word. Common you are their teacher ask them back in form of question!. I turned smiling... I noticed they got confused 😕❓looking at each other immediately, I got my confidence back! Damn you little guys it my turn. I'm winning I thought within..
One of my philosophy in class is to carry everyone along! I said. So, you 👉 pointing at a girl on glasses (We were told when little that people with glasses are intelligent! 😄😄) Come out... Take a chalk and write the other word on the board. As she walked to the word, My phone rang! Praise God! I rushed to my desk of course not for the excitement of the call but ha! Finally I can browse Google! I picked the call looking straight to the board to at least hopefully get the right spelling of the word from my glasses friend. I said I'm in the class please call back! I ended the call. Quickly I entered Google. She wrote;
Whilst: also means......
I typed quickly differentiate between while and whilst. 💣💥💣💥💣💥 boom it appears! By the time she was done writing.
Whilst: also means at the same time.
wow! That work out well. My believe for people with glasses pay out well. She is smart. I said clap for her. Then ask who can tell me the difference between them. They all responded no differences sir! Good! They both mean the same thing in English language though whilst is mostly used by British more than or less commonly used by American.. They all smile and clapped. Welcome to our class sir you just pass our test hope you will enjoy your stay with us!
I excused myself, went straight to the head teacher's office to narrate my encounter. He smiled and said Though you never wanted to be here but you never know what you have in store unless you exhibit. They have their own way of testing new staff to see if he/she is capable enough to handle their class.. They are very bright pupils and they ask simple questions that one may not thought of in order to see how very careful a teacher is. That class has rejected two staff in the last couple of years until your predecessor came. It sadden them that he had to quit to further his education! They enjoyed him. Hope they will enjoy you too. Welcome once again to our school and good luck with basic/primary 5 pupils...
I got to learn the following that day:
- Those little things you see as less important or insignificant to you may crush you.
- Learning continue until one dies(an established concept in education).
- Never underestimate anybody whether little or old, dull or bright etc.
- Be bold, confident and careful in your all your doing.
- You never know what God planned for you(if you believe in God). Never loose course! I never wanted to be a teacher but I enjoyed been one though still pursuing my dream.
Life have a lot to offer. Please open up your mind to enjoy it. Thanks
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