The most important thing about life is opportunity. And a fascinating human characteristic is ability. Life then is the opportunity to do great things with our abilities however unrealistic our dreams may seem to others.
Late September (2008) I saw the perfect opportunity to gain more credibility and test my skills. There was an ad for a Caribbean Studies teacher. I was most excited because my first ambition as a child was to be a pastor and a teacher. I maintained that dream for years but I never made the steps to do either.
If you know what my resume and my charm in an interview resembles ... then there would only be one outcome.
"You know Mr. Nelson I have a gut feeling and I think you are the right person," Mr. Mackran Singh the school Principal said to me. At that point he highlighted something very important, something I never really thought of. The success of a recruiter is measured by his ability to choose the right person for the job which really depends on that gut feeling (regardless how pretty your resume may appear).
I started teaching at Convent of Mercy Academy "Alpha" that same week. A fairly handsome young man almost the age of his students who is employed and volunteers full-time. I enjoy having several things to do at once, but I really wasn't sure about taking on another activity in my already busy life. I just knew I wanted to try it.
To some (even my mother and close friends) it appeared to be a gravalicious motivation. And I can't blame them for their lack of understanding. I was already at the Violence Prevention Alliance with several activities in my portfolio, freelancing in media and communications and managing a youth-led organisation.
In my view a teacher and a journalist are two of the most respected careers. The skills you learn doing either are often times found nowhere else but in a school and a media house. So I just new I had to do this one.
There were many challenges from the beginning to the end, and even the week before exam I didn't think my students were performing at an acceptable level. Yesterday (August 13), I was the proudest. After my first year teaching Caribbean Studies at Convent of Mercy Academy "Alpha" my results are: Grade 1 - 5 students | Grade 2 - 31 students | Grade 3 - 17 students | Grade 4 - 2 students | Grade 5 - 0 students. There were no failures. I'm so proud of myself!
In all of this I learnt some important lessons:
- So long as you are sure of your visions and goals in life, go for whatever. If you aren't sure of what you are doing at the beginning make a map by the following day.
- Befriend your students. Don't be afraid to show them who you really are. Let them know you go to parties, add them on messenger, on facebook or wherever we are all equals. You will still get your respect.
- When you travel, take back sweets (candies) for everyone [lol]
- Your students google you and keep abreast with your activities
- If you dress the part they love you more, its amazing the workings of the human psyche
- Don't be afraid to give your students your number, just trust them its a two way relationship
- Don't be afraid to be who you are. Don't be a teacher if you are really a development worker. My first class in January was my best because I spoke to them about consciousness and the development stuff. Some cried. Some slept.
- Push them to the upper limit
- BE HONEST WITH YOUR STUDENTS
- BE THEIR FRIENDS
All in all, I thank everyone who participated on this one year journey. Those who gave me texts and resource materials, typed and photocopied notes, gave me tips, etc. Big up.
And to all my students who made me proud... Blessings.
Jae is never afraid to show who he is: eogoistic, braggart, full of himself, not afraid to blow the judgement day out of his own trumpet, intelligent, confident, forward looking, 21st century-ready....dam i love this guy!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thanks Myke, what would I have done without you as a friend? You are great!
ReplyDeleteGreat work Jaevion! Very good observations and learnings as a facilitator versus a teacher which is VERY needed in the Jamaican classroom. Great post!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Conroy, I remember you encouraging me to do what I do best (talk). And I changed into just that. Which sparked their interests and gave me a better opportunity to impart my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jaevion...some teachers could really take a page out of ur book in a bid to foster establishing a good cameraderie with their students and consequently avert stifling their potentials...continue to be an inspiration too, to us young people.
ReplyDeleteYou make me sound so old..."to us young people" lol. What are you trying to say? Thanks Hun. Keep good. I training you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jaevion. Continue to follow your dreams and pushing others to realize their full potential.Congratulations on what you were able to accomplish with your students not only academically but also in their own personal development. More and more teachers need to realize that the focus should be on holistic development as this in more ways than one will help to improve academic performance! Congrats on all your accomplishments thus far and all the best for the future!
ReplyDeleteProud of you bro. As a teacher, I really have to give you your ratings, because I am aware of the challenges in the classroom. I have always been lobbying for teachers to have a different outlook where the students see us as their friends. However, whilst the younger teachers will buy into it, it's difficult to get some of the older teachers to follow suit. You have shown that this method is indeed the way to go for the 21st century classroom. Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Guys. Andrae, some young people do not buy into it either. To this day my friend is adamant that my students should never have been on my Facebook page and MSN. But I challenged the status quo and they were never once rude. We sit up until 2am and chat online all sorts of topics. Besides I was a part time teacher ... there had to be an avenue for us to communicate regularly and what better place than the place i always be.
ReplyDeleteIn our society we tend to allow tradition to dictate morality. This should not be the case; things and time have changed and so should our thinking. It will take our generation to change the ills of the education system. For far too long students see teachers as these 'uptight' individuals whose only role is to fill their brains with knowledge. We cannot afford to sit idly and allow this to continue. Teachers should also be concerned about the psychosocial environment of the classroom and the well being of their students. I cannot see the "big thing" with adding students to your facebook account. I haven't had any problems with it. I have learned a lot from my students and I have been able to guide several of in the right direction, because they were willing to share their problems with a teacher who is also their friend. The role of a teacher is quite multi-faceted; we have to face the reality.
ReplyDeleteWell said Andrae... I agree! Let's continue to make changes
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. Good advice about getting close students. I enjoyed teaching in Jamaica so much and the skills you develop while there is priceless. As teachers it's our job to motivate our students to the best of our ability and cater to their holistic development. Good job.
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