I headed to school and taught a lesson right away to my year 10 class (they would be 9th grade at home). I thought it went really well. I began by introducing myself a bit more than I had previously done and asking them to bare with me and do an activity that would help me to get to know them as well. It involved having them answer a few questions about themselves but also about previous work in order to give me a full picture of who they are and where they are at.
You have to realize that I am teaching in a school system that is radically different than home... I mean they teach what seem to be completely random units based on various time periods. I mean one class was covering Germany from 1918-1945 and then jumped to US 1918-1929. I understand doing compare and contrasting but the time periods aren't fully aligned. So in order to understand a bit more of what these students know I had them write answers to several questions. Essentially I will be able to see what level of work they produce and some of their background knowledge
Anyways, so today I began to do what I am good at. I began to teach, but more importantly I began to make relationships with my students... And that is where I hit a bit of a wall. So my cooperating teacher said the lesson went well, but that I didn't need to allow them to ask me questions about me. Yup, apparently I need to not get too familiar with my students and I need to maintain a divide between teacher and students... What's funny is I told them if they had any questions I'd be happy to answer them... All they asked about was where was I from, where did I go to school and why did I come to Berlin. Pretty basic questions, right? Not like they asked about my relationship status...
Well, according to my cooperating teacher it is none of their business and I don't need to share.... She said it really nicely but it took all my will power to stay neutral and not demand an answer to why it was a problem. I mean I didn't ask them out to the bar for a beer. I told them they could ask me about where I came from... Especially because so far not a single student I have talked to has ever been to Seattle....
I'm someone new, I'm a teacher, but more importantly I'm a person. I have always considered my strongest skill as an educator was my ability to communicate with my students as people. I mean, I work in tougher schools where convincing students to work isn't as easy as it is here. Here, all you say is "pull out your notebook and answer these questions." Just like that, they do it without complaint... At home I'd get questions about it, especially if I didn't know the kids. I miss my kids back home, I miss my students who questioned me. The ones who were bold enough to ask questions (and not just about the material, but life). They were a challenge and everyday was an adventure.
I can't figure out why it would be bad to let them ask me questions about life. I don't have to answer them if they are too personal, but what is wrong with telling them I went to school in Bellingham at Western Washington University. How does that take away the teacher position? I am not a sage on the stage. I'm a teacher and I am a person. Why do I have to pretend to be less of myself in order to make me seem less approachable, and more 'teacher' like? Essentially, I have to figure out how to teach without actually using my best tools.... This sucks, and I miss the US system. I miss being introduced as a person (This is Miss Nordby, she is here with us from Western and now I'll let her tell you about who she is and why she is here...), instead I am introduced as "Miss Nordby, the visiting teacher from America." Bam, that's it for the most part.... One teacher did let me tell the kids a bit more about myself but it isn't common...
Well that was my log rant about the school system and my day, but I want to add a bit about the good things. Firstly, my lesson was successful. I did technique we use a lot at home (Think-Pair-Share) and the kids loved it, they said I should do it more. They are very interesting students and I do plan to make the best of the situation, even though I'll never end up in a school like this back home.
I did want to add a bit about the weather... I know, I shouldn't talk about such boring things, but I got a bit of a smile out of the last two days. Yesterday was amazingly beautiful and even a bit hot at times. The sun was out, the birds were chirping and it was perfect! Today, I headed out of my door and it was grey. Not raining but the air felt heavy and humid... As I finished the last five minutes of my walk it began to pour! It was kind of awesome. Funny how weather can make me feel at home... One amazing day and then raining buckets, it's just like being back in Bellingham!
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| The amazing walk to school yesterday! It was too wet for a picture today lol |
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