Being a Teacher
So, I love being a teacher. It’s tough, it’s trying and it can really get to you sometimes but overall it is very rewarding.
However, I’ve been feeling a lot of work related pressure lately. I have only been teaching for three months but I’m really frustrated that I’m not a better teacher yet. Yes, I know that it takes time and yadda yadda yadda but I feel like I have the natural ability and the drive to be better than I am currently.
The tough part about teaching in Taiwan is that you are constantly being scrutinized based on performance. You are subject to frequent (if not daily) observations by both Chinese teachers and your direct managers. Sometimes these observations can affect your pay raise or even your job status. What’s tough about teaching for an established school with a set curriculum is that the the material may not always make sense to the teacher. You are forced to teach lessons that are poorly put together or ill-explained in your teacher’s manual. I suppose it’s better than coming up with your curriculum but sometimes I wonder if I couldn’t do a better job if everything wasn’t quite so rigid.
Teaching ESL is also difficult in itself. You must constantly think of new games and ways of challenging students while also keeping them interested. Many times, students will have no drive to learn the second language and you have to create that drive through consistent praise and effective stimulation. None of these things are easy tasks and especially difficult for the new teacher.
Despite all the difficulties that you face as a teacher, if you are truly a TEACHER then you find that will to move past your obstacles. You find a will to grow, to change, to adapt and to progress. Just because one holds the title of teacher; does not make one a teacher and does not make one no longer a student. I hope I can remember to always be a student of life and to take this as an opportunity to grow not only as an educator but also a human being.
Dearest Heidi; I like your attitude. You have never been a teacher, therefore you have to learn a lot. Sometimes the curriculum given to you may not be what you think you should be doing, but they hired you and you have to follow whatever their orders are. However, this is a lerning experience for you and perhaps when you come back you may want to go into a credential program and that will really teach you how to be an effective and good teacher. It looks like that is what Missy has chosen to do. First she is going to pass the CBEST so that she can actually get in the classroom as a sub and see if she really likes to teach. Then she is going to apply for a credential program, she wants to teach government in high school. Remember that you are there to teach English and that is one area where you are very proficent so use your skills as best as you can and make a difference to those kids. I am sure you are doing a good job. Let me know if you are having any problems. That is why i am here, to help you any way that I can. I love you, Grandma
AS YOUR DAYS GO SO SHALL YOUR STRENGTH BE. ALWAY KEEP CHRIST IN YOUR HEART AND HE WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR DAILY LIFE AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH ALL YOUR PATHS. KEEP CHRIST IN YOUR HEART. LOVE GRANDMA