First school placement!

So the other day Jane, who is now my varsity supervisor, phoned and wanted to discuss my first school placement with me. Bearing in mind that I had asked for (in this order), Alexandra High, GHS, Epworth, St Johns and possibly rural school as my choices for my first teaching prac, I was a little surprised when we spoke.

Jane told me that as a result of my subject choices (English first and second language, and Life Orientation), I would be 'perfect' to teach at this particular rural school (for discussions sake I wont mention the name of the school). Luckily I had a really good friend who did her prac there last year, so the school, and all the endless stories about it, were not foreign to me. Jane made a good point about the fact that I am learning how to teach English as a second language, and it would be a waste for me to go into a school where English second language is not even an option. I therefore agreed straight away, and decided to deal with my anxieties about it later on.

The only things I had, up until today, heard about the school, are not altogether positive. I heard firstly that it’s in the middle of nowhere, and will require us to leave university before 7 each morning just to get there on time. (This by the way, means I will have to leave home around 6:30 every morning so I can fetch the others). I had also heard that there are too many students in each class, and some of them are about 19 years old in grade 11 (for those who don't know, this is not ideal). I also heard that there are some drug and alcohol problems, and that most often the students substitute dagga for cereal in the mornings.

My friends have been telling me that there is a chance I can make such a difference in the school. They have used Hilary Swank as an example (from a movie I’m not familiar with), where she apparently changes the lives of the students in the school that she teaches. There have been countless movies about it...so it has to be possible, right?

On arrival at the school today, I was humbled by the welcome we received from all the staff. Their friendliness and willingness to help, to get us started was amazing. The teachers were all willing to go with what we wanted to do, and didn’t doubt us for a second if we, for example, wanted to teach a number of grades or classes. For example, I said I would teach English from grade 10 to 12... and they didn’t bat an eyelid. The poetry knowledge (which I will get onto just now) of these grade 12 pupils, is completely in my hands over the four week teaching prac! And they’re trusting me with it! I will be teaching poetry to Matrics. Those Matric students, when studying for their final examinations in November, will be studying from materials that I am going to be teaching them! It’s something I am battling to actually fully comprehend.

So for 4 weeks, I will be teaching about 4 or 5 poems to the Matric 2010 class at this school. I am still waiting to find out what I will be teaching the Grade 10 and 11 class. I will also be teaching the Grade 8 and 9 classes Life Orientation. I also have to still meet with the Grade 9 teacher, but for Grade 8’s I will be teaching them about the Bill of Rights, Rights and Responsibility, Community and South Africa’s National Symbols! K, in all honesty, not the most interesting topics to teach (in my mind) but I guess that’s what comes with the territory of being a teacher. There are going to be topics that don’t appeal to you, or that you find difficult. But the way you teach the topic will make all the difference to the learners... and that’s what I’m looking forward to. The teacher said I can be as creative as I like...which is great (even though I think I was near the end of the line when God was handing out creativity genes), because it means that there is so much leeway, and opportunities to teach in different ways. I am so excited to know that this school is one that wants creativity, and enjoyment for learning, that they want to take a bit of extra time and effort to get knowledge across. She said the class love role play, and visual aids...it’s ideal!

For English, I have spoken to my Grade 10-12 teacher from when I was at school. She is assisting me with resources that I can use in the school. It has put my mind at ease a bit. Poetry was never my strong point at school, even though now I actually LOVE poetry. I was told by Jane and Neil that I will probably not have to go as in depth with the analysis, because they are a second language class. This excites me immensely, because it means the learners will be able to enjoy the poem, and not have to dissect it to a point where it becomes a chore. The first poem I have to teach is one that I did at school in Matric... which is even more excting, because now I am on the other side. Now I’m doing the teaching and facilitiating the discussion! It’s just great.

I spoke to another one of my old teachers today while at my old high school. She said that when she heard I was doing my PGCE she automatically assumed I would be teaching primary school. I told her that I have always had a want to teach high school. And one of the main reasons is that I had such an amazing experience, with majority (about 5 out 6) amazing, passionate, caring and wonderful teachers. I want to be able to be that for these students. There could be other Claire’s out there, in the classes I teach, that just want to have a bit of extra attention from their teachers, to know that their teachers are proud. There could be other Claire’s who need to have their potential brought out by somebody who cares enough, and who sees it in them. And I am hoping, even just for 4 weeks, to be that person for somebody. And I cannot freaking wait!!!