Considering what teaching a subject feels like, I wondered
how she feels like teaching all those subjects, so I asked her how she feels;
“It’s exciting
although it might be stressful sometimes, but when I think about the lives of
those I’ve impacted, it always gives me the strength to do more.” She replied.
I guess I gasped, and then I asked her to share
her first experience. According
to her, her first experience was when she was in JSS 3, when her teacher always
asked her to teach the class a particular topic. That was even more surprising;
it meant she loved the act since she was in school. But since students differ
from one another, I asked her about the best technique she adopts, and she
replied that she uses Demonstration. In her words, “When I teach them (her
pupils) something and I demonstrate; the next time I ask them, demonstrating as
I did the previous time, they remember quickly.”
Now, many
teachers find it pretty hard to get their classroom organized, so I asked how
she did hers. And she told me scares her pupils off sometimes, frown, shout;
and at other times she jokes, play with them, laugh, sing and then get their
full attention. She also added, “...when you become close with your students,
even if you turn your face somehow, they will understand.” I think that was
somehow charming, because I laughed, then I asked her about her greatest
success in teaching. And she narrated the story of one of her pupils who
apparently was previously dull, but now, being in her class, is really getting
things right that the pupil’s parents are now coming to the school to thank
her.
I kept smiling
all the while, asking her about the qualities an excellent teacher should
possess. According to her, as modified;
“An excellent
teacher should understand the pupils; their way of learning and how to hit the
balance between the low, average and brilliant ones.”
I think that should be a great lesson for teachers.
“How do you
provide support for students with exceptional abilities?” I asked, wanting her
to elaborate on the previous point. And she said she always have extra classes
for her exceptional students. That was comforting, and then there was a break
in the interview.
When we got
back, I asked her to give her advice to students.
“Students
should always read and study; in school, at home, avoid distractions, be
serious and focus.” She responded.
When I asked her if there was any other thing she wanted to
tell me, she responded negatively. And that brought me to the end of the
interview.
My Reflection: I still marvel at what I went through to get
this interview done. Like I said above, I am an introvert, so getting to ask a
person some questions seemed really challenging and tragic for me. But now I’m
happy I crossed the hurdle, because I now know that I can do and be anything I
want if I put my mind to it. Teaching does not need some special abilities; it
needs a courageous being and the willingness to teach. This interview brought
me to the realization that my friend chose to do what she loves, and so can I,
so can everybody. This was really a milestone for me, a tragic goldmine
interview. I loved it, I still do.
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