A series of choices called teaching
By Joan Rocafort ValenzuelaA decade ago, I made one big choice in life: I decided to be a classroom teacher.
A decade ago, I made one big choice in life: I decided to be a classroom teacher.
There was an abrupt halt to my early morning rituals on my last Saturday in Oman.
This is the teaching expected of me now: Check students’ attendance without fail; ban trips to bathrooms lasting up to 20 minutes that, in effect, let students partly skip class; confiscate mobile gadgets when used in class; brace myself for random disruption of classroom activities by intruders; prepare weekly lesson plans; give students practice tests designed to achieve set learning outcomes; project an I’m-in-control-here stance; mark papers adhering strictly to rubrics; speak slowly and demonstrate my acting prowess to achieve a little communication; and be extra-patient.
