Life of a teacher

Task 2.3. Reflection

How did you cope/manage completing the three days of “Life of a Teacher”?

The best ways to managing the three days of “life of a teacher “was to remain calm, collective, and confident. It is important to have rules in place and a firm discipline from the very first day of teaching. When I was ready to teach and the learners were being disruptive, I would wait for them to settle down before talking, I would only speak once the learners were quiet and listening. I would talk in a calm, natural voice when teaching and I would avoid screaming and shouting at the learners to get their attention. Learners tend to mirror their teachers' behaviours and if I talk loudly the learners will mimic my loud voice. In order to get the learners attention, I would fold my arms or put my hands on my head to show them I am waiting for them to settle down. I managed to keep discipline under control by using my classroom management tool that I had made. The learners responded quickly to this tool and behaved appropriately when I used it. The lessons need to be fun and interactive so that the learners pay attention and want to participate in the discussions and activities that were planned.

How did you feel taking on all the responsibilities of a teacher in Block 1 compared to Block 2?

In Block 1 it was still very nerve-wracking as we were still getting to know the learners and find our way around the classroom. It was stressful to take on all the responsibilities of the teacher for the first time ever. I had never taught learners for a whole day prior to this so it was a very different experience. When I taught the mentor's unplanned lessons that day, I was a little nervous and anxious as I was a little unsure about the subject matter. However, when I taught one of the twelve lessons, I had prepared I confident and calmer.

In Block 2 it was a lot easier, and it felt natural taking on the teachers' responsibilities. I knew the learners' individual needs, personalities and how they behaved which made me feel comfortable teaching the learners. I had an excellent experience as I learned a lot about myself, developed a teacher voice, and improved my ability to discipline the Learners. Overall, I think I managed teaching the class pretty well and improved a lot in Block 2.

Which activities did you find most challenging? How did you overcome these challenges?

Teaching the learners, the language Afrikaans was the most challenging task for me due to the fact I've never been proficient in the language and have always had trouble pronouncing words correctly. In Block 1 I tried to make a fun lesson but unfortunately my nerves got to me, and I did not enjoy teaching the lesson as much. However, In Block 2 I put in a lot more effort and gave it my all. Even though I couldn't conquer the issue, I did feel a lot better about the lesson due to the fact that a few days beforehand, I had asked the teacher for the resources so that I could practice speaking Afrikaans to myself before teaching the learners.

Analyse your results of your self- evaluation survey where would you rate yourself higher?

After carefully analyzing my results on my self-evaluation survey , I would rate myself higher on Newly qualified teachers must be knowledgeable about the school curriculum and be able to unpack its specialised content, as well as being able to use available resources appropriately, so as to plan and design suitable learning programmes. As well as knowing how to teach their subject and how to select, determine the sequence, and pace content in accordance with both subject and learner needs. This competency links with the one that says teachers must know who their learners are and how they learn; they must understand their individual needs and tailor their teaching accordingly which should be rated higher.

Justify how you have improved these competencies through this experience.

According to my results on my self-evaluation survey, the competency on teachers must be knowledgeable about the school curriculum and be able to unpack its specialized content, as well as being able to use available resources appropriately, I rated myself as developing for Block 1. This was because I didn’t know where the resources were in the classroom, and I was still new and felt unsure of what I was allowed to use and what I couldn’t use. In Block 2 I rated myself as proficient due to the fact that I was a lot more knowledgeable about the curriculum and I was able to use resources I wanted to in the classroom. I loved making my own resources and letting the learners paint and build things.

I rated myself as competent for both knowing how to teach their subject and how to select, determine the sequence, and pace content in accordance with both subject and learner needs and teachers must know who their learners are and how they learn. However, after Block 2 I would rate myself proficient in both as I paid close attention to the learners and their individualized personalities and needs. I worked on their pace , for the learners who were advanced I gave them additional work and for the learners who struggled I waited for. I customized worksheets to the level of the learners and on their abilities.

Look at the exit level outcomes and the final comments of your mentor teacher in your School Assessment Log & Report. Compare this to the initial self -evaluation you had completed at the beginning of your teaching experience.

According to my exit level outcomes my mentor teacher marked the following: Demonstrating sound subject , curricular and pedagogical knowledge through the practice of teaching as 4 , proficient. Identifying and adapting teaching methods to the unique needs of learners in diverse settings a 5 ,distinguished. Using and develop reliable methods of assessment to assess learning and improve teaching and learning as 5 , distinguished and lastly reflecting critically on practice , skills and ethics to enhance professionalism in the teaching profession a 4 , proficient.

According to my self- evaluation results I marked the following: Demonstrating sound subject , curricular and pedagogical knowledge through the practice of teaching as 2 , developing. Identifying and adapting teaching methods to the unique needs of learners in diverse settings a 2 ,developing. Using and develop reliable methods of assessment to assess learning and improve teaching and learning as 3 , competent and lastly reflecting critically on practice , skills and ethics to enhance professionalism in the teaching profession a 4 , proficient.

Therefore, from my own results in Block 1 to my results my mentor has given me there is a huge improvement and increase in competency.

Jody Lurie