A Teacher Reflects
I think of my first taught class,
Of students’ peculiar faces;
Of curiousity and perplexity,
Awe, wonder and angst;
“Who is she!?”
I think of iboards and white boards;
Of the furnace-like classrooms,
Of cardigan-clad wintertime students.
I think of my thunderous heart beats,
Pounding, pounding to escape my chest.
I think of my first,
Of eight nerve-racking observations;
Of interesting, challenging questions;
The fear of silence; and Lord! How,
The tick-tock of the wall clock boomed!
I think of X-ray eyes,
Of students enraptured,
Of my enthusiasm and passion;
Of Bloom’s Taxonomy,
Of explaining concepts and ideas,
Of habits, learning skills, routines.
I think of resources and starter activities,
Inclusive and learning-focussed;
How hard-working and engaging they were;
How they made me guffaw,
On freakish doldrum days.
I think of the fun we’ve had learning “Thunks,”
And of hugging rainbows and stripeless zebras,
Of fishes that lay, and laying fishes,
Of spider diagrams and mind-maps,
Of Kahoot, and dictionary definitions,
Easter eggs and argumentation.
I think of my name
being shouted out,
By cheery, friendly learners,
Along college corridors and cafes;
Of animated chats and exploring topics,
Of smiley faces when I say, “great!”
Of skills progressing and improving,
Of forming, storming,
norming and performing,
Of problem-solving and brainstorming,
Of exam scripts, assessment, marking.
I think of why I became a teacher –
To teach not what I want,
To know what learners need to learn.
Descriptive writing, creative thinking, literary terms;
I think of how far I have come
Of the confidence, I have grown.
Qualified now to teach learners new,
English GCSE and Functional Skills too;
I think of special educational needs,
Of creating a safety ethos,
A climate positive, caring, respectful,
Humanistic and pastoral.
To promote and empower,
Spiritual, cultural, moral and social,
Goals and lifelong ambitions.
PGCE has ended, I now await graduation,
Yet classes to construct, lessons to build;
Analysis, synthesis and evaluation,
Education, education, education.
(01/05/2017)
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Author:
Sandy E. (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: May 1st, 2017 07:02
- Comment from author about the poem: My latest poem entitled: "A Teacher Reflects," is a reflective poem that illustrates my feelings at this current time. Needless to say, studying for the Professional Graduate Certification of Education; and subsequently becoming a student teacher were quite challenging. There were times when I felt physically tired; but what kept me motivated and energised were my students. I was privileged to have taught both GCSE English and Functional Skills English - the latter I taught more of. I found some of these students, albeit categorised as SEND students, were zealous, hardworking, conscientious students. Yes, despite their own challenges, they never gave up. They embraced every week's lesson with such enthusiasm; it reminded me of why I wanted to become a teacher. In addition, they were punctual and would often wait outside of the classroom for 15-20 minutes prior to their lesson's official start time for that day. They were often excited to learn new things and 98% of the students were happy studying English - which is one of the most difficult subjects to teach. Therefore, I have had to be innovative and would each time, have something 'challenging, interesting and meaningful' for them to do as soon as they arrive in the classroom. This advice I have read in Jackie Rossa's (2014) "The Perfect Further Education Lesson. " Rossa was right. Her methods were a success for me, and it resulted in my achieving excellent teaching grades. No doubt, I am saddened that it is now time for students' final exams, and I too am completing my final assignments prior to graduation. Will I be teaching at my current placement in the future? I don't know; however, most certainly, I would love that. It is a wonderful college. Moreover, I met some really lovely, supportive people - and my students were simply amazing. I can and will continue to pray for them to succeed in their imminent exams; and more importantly, I can but hope that I have inspired them to continue their education - and to find employment that they would be passionate about. Please do enjoy my rather poignant poem - and please do comment as well. Many thanks.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 24
Offline)
Comments2
Thanks for sharing SANDRA ~ A very poignant poem (as you describe it) straight from a Dedicated Teacher's Heart ! I teach part time ~ Applied Science in a College ~ and I love every minute. There is satisfaction ~ fun and fulfillment. My students are Caterers ~ Hair & Beauty Therapists ~ Trainee Nurses ~ Bricklayers and Engineers. They are all very keen to learn the Scientific Principles of their Professions and I do get paid for doing this ! I love Field Courses with Environmental Studies Students. I do run a Poetry / English Literature Class for Adult Students. Love your poem and your love of the Noble Profession ~ Poetic Hugs ~ BRIAN
Dear Brian
From one teacher to another - I thank you wholeheartedly.
I did not know you taught as well.. so good to know there are ones that still do care about joining - as you put it, the 'noble profession.'
Like you, in my class, my students are from varying backgrounds i.e. woodworking, construction, business, childcare, Science and many more.
Thank you once again, for appreciating my poem. It is by no means a traditional poem; however, you were right, it was right from this 'dedicated teacher's heart.' 🙂
Furthermore, I am genuinely sad, the programme has come to an end; and I agree - there is so much 'satisfaction, fun and fulfillment' found in teaching.
Moreover, it means the world to me to have the honest input of ones like yourself. Thank you so very much.
Have lovely day Brian!
Sandy
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