Real people. Real lives. Real Issues.

As teachers I think we sometimes forget that are students are more than just uniforms seated behind desks and in chairs. We sometimes forget that each child, in every row, is unique, different and real. During the past week I took some of my students to ASA Wright Nature Center, and it was such a great experience to get to know my students even better. To know the things they like, and what excites them. I mean I cannot attempt to educate if I do not know the consumer. Media companies spend hundreds and thousands of dollars just to find out what entices the consumer, what will make them spend and buy what they have to offer. The question is for teachers, how are we selling education?

Teachers provide a service, and unlike Digicel or Bmobile, we can't afford the "dropped calls", or leaving any student behind whilst giving instruction. Students are real people. Who come from real issues, issues that even I would not dare to deal with. Through no fault of their own they are sometimes thrust into situations that they have no control over. No say. I look back at my own pathway through education and remember exactly the teachers who cared and who did not. I remember distinctly who took the time to listen and the ones who only taught a subject.

I figure that if I can remember and know these things to this very day, my students must feel and "measure" in the same ways - if not with a stricter rubric than I would have used. I for one have learned that as a teacher I am a learner. I never think too highly of myself as to not be able to learn from any one of my students. My students are not unthinking dolls made of plastic. They have problems, issues and stories just like any other human being. They have something to offer the world and I fear that too many of them feel unnoticed and unimportant.

If we as adults hate to be put into categories and generalized, why would we do the same to our children? Real people. Real lives. Real issues. Think about it.

From the heart

Doing my Postgraduate Diploma in Education is beginning to take its toll.
Drained and tired, getting the flu, not H1N1, but sick nonetheless.
Totally tired, I did not go to school on Monday.
I bugged me that I was missing class, but I figured it would not matter to the kids either way.
Was I ever wrong.
I opened my inbox and tears in my eyes as I saw the messages from my students
"Miss, you sick?"
"Miss, we missed you, you comin tomorrow?"
"Miss you MIA, gully or gaza?"

Lol...that last one I was like WTA dese chirren talkin bout now? But you understand.
I got up this morning and dragged myself to school. Though still under the weather, I thought I would go today, and take the rest of the week off. But...

My motivation to teach changed my mind. In fact, I think I even got better. Teaching my students makes me happy. I smile and laugh with them, even when I want to frown. I cannot help it. I do love them. I love what I do. It makes me happy. It gives me purpose and makes me willling to go above and beyond just to be there for them.

I have always said in the past that I loved my job, but today I realized that I get as much from it as I give - if not more.

Our hands - work. Toil. Try.
Our hearts. - trust. believe. love.
Our minds. - innovate. create. explore

With them we can do great things.

Show Me Your Colours

The age in which my students live present them with various opportunities to - as Fayann said, "Display! Show meh yuh colours!". And well...what plumage they all have.

First off - I do not have a problem with students expressing themselves. Fact is I realize that with the technology available to them, they will test, try, test again and again, to see which avenue garners the most attention. A generation of attention seekers I tend to think as most of them, do not receive attention from their parents they do every and ANY thing to get attention. That said, MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, Skype, Tinyurl...all these things belong in their realm. It is not that I am much older than some of them - but I can safely say that I have 5-10 years of SOLID parental guidance that nags me consistently anytime I think of posting semi nude pictures of myself on the world wide web.

The danger that lurks around the pokes of FB, my students are extremely naive about. In fact, they don't have a fleckin clue. After posting pics - breast barely covered, she exclaims - "Miss, is JESS ah picture..." No idea I tell you.

What then is the solution? What do we do? What can we do?
Not much. In fact the powers of schools and administration are limited, especially when after making a "big deal" about it in school, the parental units put the computers in their rooms and they cuss on their FB status later in the night (around 2:00am or so) "Who the F*$k does Miss think she is?...OMG!"

It is too funny. Well...not really. You see the relationship has to be complementary...kinda like a whore and a pimp...well not really. But you get what I'm saying. If parents do in fact believe that the soft porn their daughters are putting on the Internet is not desirable - then when the school alerts them to this - they should support the remediation. Don't sit in the fleckin office acting like you agree and then when you get home "punish" the child by unlimited access to the Internet....eh?

Not being a parent myself, I understand that it could be very trying to attempt to guide the lives of teenagers - but I would rather sit in a cold jail cell than have MY CHILD, that I push out, "display" she self as if she doesn't have a brain. Uh uh...not happening. There are sick people out there - that looking for a child just like yours...to molest. To fool. To rape. To kill. What worst? Her being upset with you? or having to call Belgroves?

Guess who's back?!

I've been doing this since 2001 minus the three years I was at UWI and each year is so different!!! This year seems to be the most challenging so far but I have to hold on tight cause this thing will only get tougher...Our first set of Universal Secondary Education students are in the fourth form now and it is HELL!!!! They can't even write a proper sentence and for a minute there I wanted to ask 'what the English teacher was doing?' but I shut my mouth yes cause you can bring a horse to the water but you can't force it to drink...or something so! I have form fives AGAIN....and AGAIN I am expected to turn water into wine and have them pass the CXC exams....so I banned the Narinesingh...can somebody please write a textbook that is suited for the students that I teach? and we are doing themes...[I acually am learning something at College] they so enjoyed the theme of smoking and now we going on to women in society...they seem to understand the summary and comprehension and story writing and arguments better...but their writing is still horrible but let us see if an interest in their work will transfer to better writing...[is this how this works?] I mean they getting to watch 'movies' so it's not as if I am boring them...am I? And, like Max I am doing my Dip in Teaching English...yes this is what the Jackasses at Cavehill call it... a lot more work this year but it all ends June 05th!!! So I dunno if I pass any of my assignments so far but what I fretting for? This is UWI, things won't change in a hurry...Let the games begin!!!!

Well, that's it folks...Week five of the term has began...let's teach our butts off and make the most of this term

xoxo schezzi m

One Year

Well people - back to school and yesterday was my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of becoming a teacher. This year has been nothing short of an adventure. I sat in staff meetings, departmental meetings, co curricular meetings yesterday, realizing how easily I was enveloped by the system. Got the results from my classes, they did 'ok' - they could have done even better I thought - but hey - I can't sit the exam for them. Despite what anyone says, student performance will remain a benchmark for me. I must at sometime measure my teaching skill by how well they were able to learn.

So for this year:
1. I've adopted 38 kids in the form of my Form Class
2. I've grown to love every one of them - even though I didn't want to get to close initially
3. I organized for our staff to be First Aid Trained
4. Managed the Crisis Management Portfolio
5. Traveled to Barbados to mark UNIT 1 CAPE and moderate SBA's
6. Started my Postgraduate Diploma in Education
7. Learned how to listen more - to what kids are TRULY saying
8. I've learned to appreciate what the student has to offer
9. I've learned that there are some teachers who make you WANT to stay a teacher
10. I've learned that there are some - not worth their weight in salt! Only robbing the children and government
11. I love my school!
12. I've been challenged to do better and be better - think beyond what my teachers would've taught
13. I fully appreciate the value I add to society.

I could go on and on an on. At this same time last year I was a bit scared, a bit unsure, a bit intimidated -and in some aspects, I still am. Now though, the direction is clear and I cannot wait for the school year to officially begin.

BTW this DipEd Programme is one of the most MIND BLOWING experiences I've EVER had to go through (academically of course). I am learning soooooo much - things I didn't know - never thought of. WoW.

One year - I made it. Din kill nobody chile. Nobody chile kill me. I survived. More than. I thrived.

Day 13 - Teaching Beyond Borders

Well folks...HOME TIME!

Barbados was beautiful...the experience was priceless and I can't wait for next year! Needless to say I can't give you the details because of all the confidentiality issues, but it was good to experience what goes on behind the scenes...what happens on the down low.

So i now have Jamaican friends and Guyanese friends to call on if ever I need some teaching advice.

I have been taught, and taught beyond borders - and had a magnificent time doing it. By the way - your girl is going back to school! That's right - I'm starting my PG Dip Ed. Yup. Another realm of this whole teaching scene. Details to follow. Of course this means that I have to GO BACK INTO UWI'S ADMINISTRATIONALLY CHALLENGED INSTITUTE...sigh...hope for better this rounds.

Day 8 - Teaching Beyond Borders

Oh gosh! Ah sorry! lol...you knw how it is

Barbados was made for tourism and well I got caught up.

Days 3-6 were basically the same - mark like yuh goin mad!

Finished like 2 red ink pens - learned much more about DNA vs RNA and vectors and recipients than I was EVER planning to...

We have an awesomely cool Chief Examiner so that in itself made the experience more enriching. I realized that some people naturally have a poor work ethic. They are nice people, with pleasant personalities..but when it comes down to working - GEEZ n ages! Lazy would be an understatement! But thank goodness this was in the minority.

Day 7 - Bridgetown! Souvenirs galore! Had a time. Again a coutry that was MADE for tourists and the tourism industry.

DAY 8 - Today! Had a great 'cross the island' tour that took me ALL OVER Bim**. Excellent is all I can say.

Stay tuned- Day 9

Bim**- Local word for Barbados.