Thrown into the deep end: How I learned to teach
A teacher learns on the job, regardless of the number of degrees and diplomas (s)he may have picked up before working as a teacher. Without meaning to belittle formal education courses that a would-be teacher takes, it is commonly experienced by many a teacher that there is no better way to learn how to become a teacher than to plunge into the deep end – and pick up the skills on the job.
For it is not until one is faced with a bunch of youngsters that one discovers – and then puts into practice – one’s own (often unarticulated) theories of teaching and learning.
Most often, it is the teacher of one’s own school days who unwittingly plays out through the novice teacher, as she draws on her own student days to tackle the enormous challenge before her. Sometimes, the tyrant teacher of one’s own student days is recalled with fear as one tries hard to be as unlike that teacher as possible!
Times have changed, however, and so have the attitudes and mindsets of today’s youngsters. Old tricks don’t work as well any more, and each situation is unique. When it is hard to find answers as one dips into one’s past, there is no choice but to look for new solutions to totally new problems.
And so it is that every teacher is forced to think on his feet: and meet each day’s googlies as they are bowled to him by energetic students, harried parents and demanding Principals.
As a teacher, you, too, must have encountered many such challenges that you worked hard to tackle. Wouldn’t it be of great value if you could share your story with other struggling teachers? If you would care to set aside that piece of chalk for just a short while, and hold a pen instead, here is an offer for you –
THINKING TEACHER is pleased to offer a program titled FROM CHALK TO PEN.
Come, teacher, bring out the writer in you! We believe there is one – within every teacher! Join our four week course where you will:
- Email us once a week with your own document of an experience where you learned how to tackle a challenge
- Receive from us suggestions on how to turn it into a flowing narrative
- Accept or reject our suggestions as you deem fit
- Compile the write ups of your school teachers for publication in some place of your choice
- OR allow us to post it on thinkingteacher.in
Come, teachers! Make this journey from Chalk to Pen, from black board to paper.
Let’s start a movement of sharing and peer learning.
Write in to us at thinkingteacher22@gmail.com for further details.