Wednesday, January 16, 2008
When was the last time you did star jumps? Hahah... today was the first time in years. Well, I didn't have the intention to do it in the first place actually. Just that we were having PE and I just thought it would be fair and more motivating to do such jumps with the little ones. Some were complaining that they're tired and we did less than 10 only! Hello? Your grandma teacher here is 3 times your age and also heavier than you yet I could do star jumps. It was only after some time then I felt the effect of the jumps though.
Wobbly legs. While walking home from school. Hahahaha... Hey! At least I was fair to do with them so I'm not Psycho Chew torturing poor kids.
P.E lasted for like 5 min only. Not surprising since it took them so long to pack up and settle down. I just have to teach them about trade-offs. If choose to talk, then less P.E. time. If talking isn't the option, then I will let them play something different. Fair and square. I've learnt that teachers cannot make empty threats, especially when I'm only just begun my semester with them. Empty threats will only make it more difficult to control them the next time round. But I do try to give in a little, like for really naughty ones, will let them have less time for recess instead of totally forbidding them to even eat. At the end of the day, I need to constantly remind myself that no matter how naughty they are, they are just kids. At least their naughtiness is an outright thing, nothing scheming, zero manipulation.
Two parents asked me for my mobile number after school yesterday. I gave it to them. But I'm starting to wonder if I should have. I mean, I'm not a 24/7 teacher, I shouldn't have felt obliged to give it to them. Who knows if they would know their limits? Furthermore, even if some parents do not know how to email or do not have a computer (I've given the class my email address), they can always call the school to ask for me. A pupil actually asked me today whether her tuition teacher called me. @_@ Well, I did get a missed call but I didn't call back because it's not a practice of mine to return missed unknown calls especially when the person chose not to leave a voice message.
Anyway, no point regretting it also. But I won't entertain unknown calls after 9pm. It's not about the lack of commitment or dedication but I feel that a line has to be drawn somewhere when it comes to personal life and personal time outside of school. I know some teachers have this practice of giving out their mobile numbers freely but I personally don't really see the need to be within reach the whole day long especially when I already see the two parents when they come everyday to fetch their kids.
Perhaps I should be glad I'm exposed to all these. So that in the future, I would know what to expect from parents and can sort of predict situations. There's always a first time to everything I supposed.
Such things like the above, no one will be around to teach you nor to warn you beforehand. No one told me anything before in fact. However, hopefully, some of the experiences I have gone through would help friends or even outsiders who chance upon this blog because this is after all a selfish world. Personally, I have a friend (now an acquaintance) who would not share her experience as a contract teacher which was what she was about a year ago. Probably because she had a hard time and so did not want to let others after her have an easier time? I don't know too.That's the world of adults out there, lots of hypocrisy - preaching to kids about not being selfish and yet do not practise it.
But I don't see any harm in sharing info and experiences. What goes around comes around. If you render help to others, others might return the favour to you one of the days too, whether you know it or not.Labels: Work
Serendipity believed today at 7:06 PM
