After a week of teaching I have come to the conclusion that I may have underestimated my oratory skills. The first day was an uneventful one. I did not have anything prepared, neither did I have the syllabus or the list of students registered for the course. I went in for a formal introduction and spoke to them about the thinning boundary between teacher and friend in the given setting. I was clear that I did not want to act or be treated like a school teacher. This was college. The rest of the week went off pretty well. Since this is my first tryst with teaching, I realize that I may be expecting or assuming a lot in terms of how receptive my students are. In the last few lectures (I have two lectures a day), I have gone from throwing jargons at them to explaining the simplest of terms. I understand that the education they have recieved, atleast in the government schools, is below average. Thus, I am trying every bit to increase their knowledge in an easy-to-understand language. Today the Principal informed me that the students were happy with Choden Ma'am, except for the fact that she read out notes a little too quickly. I was very glad to recieve such a feedback. Starting today, I have been going very easy with the lectures.
This experience is an enriching one at many levels. Slowly and steadily, I am getting to understand the workings of the system. It was a given that at some point I would have to set foot in Government territory. Well 2013 marks my official entry. Secondly, being a PhD student now, the natural assumption is that I shall end up being an Assistant Professor for my first job. After all, a combination of NET and research degrees do not spell much else. Today I have the opportunity to polish my teaching skills. All in all, I hope the next few months bring out the best in me. I would really like to put myself out there and help these students learn more about life, and not just the subject I'm teaching. Cheers.
No comments:
Post a Comment