I ran into of my students that had graduated last year over the weekend. Thankfully I remembered his name and was able to greet him back saying it. This was my first run-in with an alum as most of my students decided to study oustide Vigo. He shared with me in the first several minutes of our conversation about his time at the university and what he has been studying.I was truly impressed by his maturity, mannerisms, and how he carried himself in the conversation overall.
After the quick catch up I decided to ask him about his time at Rosales 2 and whether the curriculum and teachers had helped prepare him for university life. This was an important question to me for many reasons. I remember when applying to high schools, there were certain ones that had more value than the others. Why? Because they, apparently, were more effective in preparing you for college. It was also important to me because I want to be a teacher one day, and I hope that students can take away not only the subject I teach but important life lessons and values with them to college. I think it's rare that a student gets the opportunity to openly share with their teachers ways they can improve and how classes can be more effective. Yes there is student government to talk about in general how the school can be better such as better technology or new charities to support. Perhaps I don't have enough experience as a teacher to say that student's don't have that type of voice, but I'm just sharing with you all what I have seen. I remember at the end of finals, teachers would hand us comment cards where we would review the teacher: how they were, ways to improve, etc. but honestly everyone rushed through them so they could just leave the classroom after a brutal final. It's a good idea, but few take it seriously.
We continued conversation, and Randy shared with me his favorite classes and teachers that he loved. "I absolutely love Matthew. He is hands down my favorite teacher." "And why is that?" I asked. His response was something along these lines, "I think few teachers know how much students actually do want to have a relationship with the teacher. Some students don't even know how effective having one with a teacher can do. The teacher is the one that has to set up an open environment for us so that we are comfortable. Matthew not only teaches, but he makes an effort to get to know all of us, our interests, hobbies, dislikes, etc. He understands that every student learns differently, has different likes, and he tries his best to incorporate that into whatever he is teaching. He genuinely cares about us. and that I will always remember." Seeing this kid speak so highly about a teacher truly touched me. I told him that, and he asked me why? I said, "One day I hope to be Matthew. I want to be a great teacher in what I teach, but more than anything, I want students to know that I'm also there to serve as a mentor for anyone who wants to talk. I want class to be fun and memorable, but also challenging and difficult." Randy continued to talk about other teachers, "Marta, for example, just throws all this information at you. If you don't know it, she gets mad at you. She shows no interest in getting to know the student. Julia, on the other hand, is a teacher that surprised me. I never particularly enjoyed her classes, but it wasn't until my time at the university that I was like, man she was a great teacher. There have been times in class where I understood material better than my peers because Julia had taught it to me. She was so methodological and by the book, but it worked because I have a better understanding than others. If you can combine Julia and Matthew's teaching styles Charina, you can be great."
You can look up as much information as you want on-line, in the books, etc. but it's not until you actually have your own class that you learn about students and better ways to be a teacher. It was eye opening to hear a student's perspective. One of the faults I have found at my school is the way they run their language classes. They run on the desdoble system, meaning every class is split into the high and low level section. That is a fine method, but it's harder for me because then I have to switch between high and low level sections every week. They also want me to have every single class from 1 ESO to 2 BACH that I have to share my time with everyone evenly meaning each class gets less time with me. I see each class only 2 hours every month. A regular teacher sees their class 12 hours every month. That is 10 more hours I have lost in teaching something, creating a connection, and learning their interests. There's a great quote that is so applicable to this blog post: "Tell me and I forget me. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Marta tells, Julia teaches, and Matthew involves, and obviously I want to be like Matthew.
Randy told me he honestly didn't like the desdoble system either. He told me that, compared to other auxiliars, i was the best one. He said everyone enjoyed the class, but he apologized saying he can't remember specifics on what he learned from me. I told him how I would love 12 hours a month with every class, but considering the 2 hours I have, I do my best to make a genuine connection and teach as much as possible. I included that, if he learned very little, I at least hoped he remembered how he felt in my class, joy, happiness, laughter, etc. Although I was very sad to hear that there weren't any specifics he could remember, I needed it. It helped me realize that the 2 hours I have with them I really have to make the most of. I thought I had, but of course there is always ways to improve and be better. I do believe you can be the best at your profession but still have room to grow.
As I am in my second year of teaching, I hope I learn ways to be better, more involved, and connected.
I do believe I have been doing a good job so far, but to be better, I have to recognize that not everything I do is effective. To be better, I have to fail, accept challenges, and learn. I'm so glad I ran into Randy this weekend. Although I am supposed to be his teacher, he just taught me a great deal, and I am so thankful for that.
Peace&love,
Charina