If only ...

When I am with my friends and classmates, I am very comical. I joke a lot, and laugh as if no one is watching me. However, when I am on the platform inside the rooms of the Ateneo de Davao High School, I frown and wear a strict impression on my face. I want this to be my trademark. I want to be known as “the strict but effective teacher” in the future.

I find this strategy effective (and amusing) way of managing the class, because from what I have noticed, whenever I put my things on the table and look at the whole class with a serious face, the students became silent, and all their eyes are on me. My cooperating teacher even told me “pang PAASCU Level ang tindig mo, Jeff” and I considered it as a complement.

As time went by, my strictness and seriousness started to fade. I started to smile at them when they greeted me “good morning” (because before, I just look at them and nod). I started to make little conversations to them during my motivational activities, and I formulated activities in my lesson plan that they relate. My mood continued until my last day of duty, when Ma’am Galvez observed me in my teaching demo.

Yes, I can say that they were actively participating

When the exchange of schools happened, I am already assigned at DCNHS Madapo Campus, and my classmates slash friends took over my class in the Ateneo High School. I felt happy for my students because they will be taught by good student teachers – fluent speakers of the English language, and good classroom managers. I know they will learn a lot from them.

During our Social Dimensions class, I asked my friends how my class was. Were they good to them? Were they fantastic? Participative? Their reply was amazing. They said that they were making “hi fives” to them after class, they even shared jokes together. Although I wasn’t there to observe my classamtes teach, it seems that their class was really happy and engaging. Open communication is present inside the classroom, and the students are not afraid to express their ideas.

By the time I got home, I reviewed my lesson plans, and realized that my class was also engaging, for I always encourage my students to ask questions for clarifications every after my discussion. I can say that my students were not afraid to express their ideas because a lot of them raised their hands whenever I ask their opinion about something. So why is this? Is it because of my activities? Are my visual aids too boring? Or is it because of my strict impression? Because I am not that friendly to my students?

I regretted the days when I frowned and raised my left eyebrow while I am sitting at the back of the room and observing the class. I regretted the days when I wore serious impression on my face while teaching. The strictness faded, yes, but it was too late. I could have made a stronger student-teacher and teacher-student bond if I just frowned only in the first day of class.