I had my supervision the other day and a couple of things which came out of it was regarding my visit to the school last week and my children's address on Sunday past. He'd been in the school and was asking the teacher for feedback.
Generally, it was okay. Once I got into my stride, I was seen to be comfortable and confident with the children. I responded well to them and had a good rapport with them. The teacher did think I would do something a bit different from what she would have done. That's reasonable enough, but I wasn't sure at all about the line which I should take – it's not like this is a church and I was all too aware I needed to find a good balance in what I said. Also, I just followed her pattern as I thought that was what was required. Next time, I'll prepare my own material and run with that. That's definitely a confidence thing, but it was only the second time I've been in school since I was a pupil. Oh, and I made the cardinal mistake of turning to look at the powerpoint. Given the position of the IT equipment in the class, it wasn't easy to do anything else if I wanted to see what was on the screen, but I maybe looked too long.
As for my children's address, well, the feedback for that wasn't exactly favourable. Bottom line was I allowed a child to talk too much and it didn't flow well. Funny, other feedback I received, though mixed, did not agree with that. At the time I was doing the address, the child who was talking gave me a gift, which I should have had the confidence to run with. That way my including them wouldn't have looked like a bit of a red herring. Definitely need to work on this confidence thing - in my own abilities as well as anything else. Strange, but almost anywhere but Eagleside I would have done that. I think it's knowing I am being critiqued while there and that I have to do the children's address in a position I am completely uncomfortable with.
Just before I had to leave, my supervisor told me that children's addresses were definitely something I will need to work on. Fair enough, as he hasn't got anything to work with except what he's seen. He also said I needed experience with children, even though I have told him I was a young church leader for 10+ years and a youth club leader for 8+ years. Also, this in the context of giving me feedback that I engage well with children and have a good rapport with them. Err, that doesn't make sense to me. That did annoy me, as the development point seems to contradict, to a certain extent, feedback I receive from my supervisor.
The good thing is my next placement has a lot of children and, having seen my future supervisor in action, I can learn a lot there about how to get this nailed. It's really important to me that I get the children engaged in worship and feeling that they are important and valued by the church community. Getting the children's addresses right forms an important part of that.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Friday, 30 March 2012
Monday, 26 March 2012
Being a teacher for the morning
I was back in School during the week. This was a follow-up from the previous week, bu this time I led the lesson (to a certain extent) while the teacher gave a little assistance (mainly involving telling me the names of the children).
Generally, I felt it went well. The theme was one I know well and I am comfortable enough with largish groups of early primary school children (admittedly in a non-school context). I feel I engaged well with the children - one even gave me a thank you card when I was leaving. I wasn't sure how I should handle discipline, as I didn't want to tread on the teacher's toes, but when I realised that it was my lesson, I soon started keeping the children in check for not listening (mainly to their peers, not me, which in itself was interesting). Their questions were very interesting, challenging in a way young children can be (which is really refreshing as they don't feel they should know anything, if that makes sense) and showed a real engagement with the theme of the lesson. All pretty good for someone who was last in a primary school class when at primary school.
It also shows that despite my concerns and fears I expressed at the beginning of the month were unfounded. My supervisor obviously trusts me to go in his place (as I am as much a reflection on Eagleside as Christianity as a whole) and sees the potential I have. Also, yet again shows that often the idea of something is much worse than the actuality. As someone keeps telling me “God's got your back” and the more I do in this ministry training process, the more I see this.
To think, I once wanted to be a teacher. Although I won't be a school teacher, I am still going to be a teacher. Funny how things work out.
Generally, I felt it went well. The theme was one I know well and I am comfortable enough with largish groups of early primary school children (admittedly in a non-school context). I feel I engaged well with the children - one even gave me a thank you card when I was leaving. I wasn't sure how I should handle discipline, as I didn't want to tread on the teacher's toes, but when I realised that it was my lesson, I soon started keeping the children in check for not listening (mainly to their peers, not me, which in itself was interesting). Their questions were very interesting, challenging in a way young children can be (which is really refreshing as they don't feel they should know anything, if that makes sense) and showed a real engagement with the theme of the lesson. All pretty good for someone who was last in a primary school class when at primary school.
It also shows that despite my concerns and fears I expressed at the beginning of the month were unfounded. My supervisor obviously trusts me to go in his place (as I am as much a reflection on Eagleside as Christianity as a whole) and sees the potential I have. Also, yet again shows that often the idea of something is much worse than the actuality. As someone keeps telling me “God's got your back” and the more I do in this ministry training process, the more I see this.
To think, I once wanted to be a teacher. Although I won't be a school teacher, I am still going to be a teacher. Funny how things work out.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Into School
Yesterday, I visited one of the schools my supervisor is chaplain to. I generally observed the teacher giving the RME (religious and moral education - took me ages to work out what the M stood for!). I did have to explain a bit about the bible - especially the Old and New Testament. I think I did so reasonably well, as the children seemed satisfied with the answer (and were open to asking me questions; at least some of them). I suppose my experience of teaching young church and leading a youth club helped with this.
One child did ask something I didn't know why it had happened. And I did say so. Perhaps I should have phrased it a bit better - perhaps asked why they thought it might have happened, but I also think it's good to not think I do have all the answers. Definitely need to find the right balance with that.
Once the teacher had taught their section, I sat with and helped a small group of the children with the remainder of the lesson. As that was sort of a young church-sized group, with the class room assistant, it was fine. I hope they got the sense that I cared. As a representative of the church, I think that's really important that those who the church cannot reach in 'traditional' ways (i.e. them going to the church) see Christians as interested and concerned in their lives. And why do I think that? Because the children asked if I would be going to their Easter service. They'd only just met me too.
I'm looking forward to going again. A good, positive experiencece all round, I think. Definitely something I can, and will, build on.
One child did ask something I didn't know why it had happened. And I did say so. Perhaps I should have phrased it a bit better - perhaps asked why they thought it might have happened, but I also think it's good to not think I do have all the answers. Definitely need to find the right balance with that.
Once the teacher had taught their section, I sat with and helped a small group of the children with the remainder of the lesson. As that was sort of a young church-sized group, with the class room assistant, it was fine. I hope they got the sense that I cared. As a representative of the church, I think that's really important that those who the church cannot reach in 'traditional' ways (i.e. them going to the church) see Christians as interested and concerned in their lives. And why do I think that? Because the children asked if I would be going to their Easter service. They'd only just met me too.
I'm looking forward to going again. A good, positive experiencece all round, I think. Definitely something I can, and will, build on.
Friday, 27 May 2011
My favourite teacher
The other day, I was reading an article (can't remember where) which said it just needs one significant adult to transform a child's life. An adult who will listen, not judge, and see the child for who they are, not the expectations society may have based on their background.
For me, that would have to be my primary 4 teacher (and 6 and 7 - same teacher). My first 2 teachers (I had the same one for P1 and 2) didn't like the fact I could read, write and count really rather well before I even went to school (I was a child genius - it was all downhill from there). So, while they were trying to teach the rest of the class their letters, I was bored. Not a good thing for me. When bored I talk. I really talk. That didn't go down well.
Because I could already do these things, when those I sat with were struggling, I helped them. Again, that was talking and didn't go down well. Eventually, the bullies in the class were at my table and they would play on my helping nature to finish their work quickly and make me look bad.
Perhaps I could have been quiet and just got on with the work in front of me, but I was 5 years old and helping people was (and still is) a significant part of my character. I just can't stop myself, even though I have been hurt many times because of it.
Something which didn't help with my work was the teachers kept putting me to the back of the class. I needed to be closer to the front to see the blackboard, especially after my glasses were broken. The teacher didn't think there was anything wrong with people scratching the lenses. When my Mum went to the school to get something done, she was told "Well, it's a novelty for them". Yeah, like I just wore them for decoration!
So, I got to P4. Another teacher. But this one was different. One of the first things she did was move me to the front of the class. Finally I could see the blackboard properly! She also saw I could do most of the 3 Rs standing on my head, so rather than making me stay with the class, she let me carry on further through the workbooks. It was better than me getting bored. It also let me see there was things I as good at. Up till that point, in school, there didn't seem anything I could do well.
No longer was I bored. No longer did I feel I was different and stupid. Finally, I could begin to be who I was again.
It's really hard to sum up the difference that teacher made to my life. She made me believe in myself. She also respected me. I very much reciprocated that. As they say, you have to show respect to earn it.
By the time I left primary school, I was top-of-the-class in most subjects (spelling and sports still defeat me). I was so far ahead in Maths that the school had run out of workbooks for me. They got some in, but apparently they were secondary school level. I got a lot wrong, as my teacher didn't have the knowledge or time to teach me that level of Maths (she did have a whole class to teach too), but she let me try. She let me fail. She encouraged me and reassured me it was okay.
For all she did for me, I am eternally grateful. If I ever got the chance too, I would let her know.
A couple of years after leaving primary school, it celebrated its 75 anniversary and held an open day. Naturally, I went along. As I was talking with the headteacher (who also totally rocked), my P1/P2 teacher came to speak to my Mum and I. I can't recall the words of the conversation, but she told Mum how proud she was to have been my teacher and was pleased I was doing so well.
I don't think I had a lot of grace towards that teacher back then. I was polite, but curt. I was still hurting from the past. Now I realise that was not the way to go, but I was still a child. Now, I pray I would have the wisdom and grace to show Christian love towards her, should I ever met her.
For me, that would have to be my primary 4 teacher (and 6 and 7 - same teacher). My first 2 teachers (I had the same one for P1 and 2) didn't like the fact I could read, write and count really rather well before I even went to school (I was a child genius - it was all downhill from there). So, while they were trying to teach the rest of the class their letters, I was bored. Not a good thing for me. When bored I talk. I really talk. That didn't go down well.
Because I could already do these things, when those I sat with were struggling, I helped them. Again, that was talking and didn't go down well. Eventually, the bullies in the class were at my table and they would play on my helping nature to finish their work quickly and make me look bad.
Perhaps I could have been quiet and just got on with the work in front of me, but I was 5 years old and helping people was (and still is) a significant part of my character. I just can't stop myself, even though I have been hurt many times because of it.
Something which didn't help with my work was the teachers kept putting me to the back of the class. I needed to be closer to the front to see the blackboard, especially after my glasses were broken. The teacher didn't think there was anything wrong with people scratching the lenses. When my Mum went to the school to get something done, she was told "Well, it's a novelty for them". Yeah, like I just wore them for decoration!
So, I got to P4. Another teacher. But this one was different. One of the first things she did was move me to the front of the class. Finally I could see the blackboard properly! She also saw I could do most of the 3 Rs standing on my head, so rather than making me stay with the class, she let me carry on further through the workbooks. It was better than me getting bored. It also let me see there was things I as good at. Up till that point, in school, there didn't seem anything I could do well.
No longer was I bored. No longer did I feel I was different and stupid. Finally, I could begin to be who I was again.
It's really hard to sum up the difference that teacher made to my life. She made me believe in myself. She also respected me. I very much reciprocated that. As they say, you have to show respect to earn it.
By the time I left primary school, I was top-of-the-class in most subjects (spelling and sports still defeat me). I was so far ahead in Maths that the school had run out of workbooks for me. They got some in, but apparently they were secondary school level. I got a lot wrong, as my teacher didn't have the knowledge or time to teach me that level of Maths (she did have a whole class to teach too), but she let me try. She let me fail. She encouraged me and reassured me it was okay.
For all she did for me, I am eternally grateful. If I ever got the chance too, I would let her know.
A couple of years after leaving primary school, it celebrated its 75 anniversary and held an open day. Naturally, I went along. As I was talking with the headteacher (who also totally rocked), my P1/P2 teacher came to speak to my Mum and I. I can't recall the words of the conversation, but she told Mum how proud she was to have been my teacher and was pleased I was doing so well.
I don't think I had a lot of grace towards that teacher back then. I was polite, but curt. I was still hurting from the past. Now I realise that was not the way to go, but I was still a child. Now, I pray I would have the wisdom and grace to show Christian love towards her, should I ever met her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)