“A small boat must sail close to the shore, but a big one may go out to sea,” (Filipino proverb). As we embark on this new academic year, I’m super excited to see what the future holds for me and my students! I will be teaching Social Studies to only Juniors this time who are in years 9 and 10. For my whanau class, I’ve consciously decided to focus only with year 9s. There’s something magical when I see these year 9s navigate through high school, when I see their eureka moment when they discover knowledge and start to formulate their worldviews.
It is around this time when I look forward to looking at my timetable, reading my class lists, getting to know who my students will be, and absorbing their details which are available on Kamar. I make it a point to find out who are the Filipino students in my class, as well as in all the other classes. There was a spike last year at the end of term 4, when a sizeable influx of new Pinoy students arrived in our college. They were the beneficiaries of the one-off visa policy of Aotearoa New Zealand.
There will be changes this year, whether in curriculum, teaching methods, or classroom dynamics. Although I will be teaching the same subject, I’ve made the conscious effort to tweak how I will deliver my lessons. I want my teaching praxis to grow and not just rely on the old, tried, and tested formula. I want to enjoy and have fun with my students. I always keep an open mind and adapt to new way of doing things. This is my secret weapon to stay effective as an educator. The New Year is not just a personal milestone, but it is also a time to reflect on my role in mentoring and shaping young minds.
I’ve been teaching for more than 30 years but last years was the most difficult and excruciating time for me as a teacher. It was a challenging and oftentimes disappointing year for me. I almost, nearly, gave up, this passion for my profession! What was the saving grace? Up to now, I really am not sure. Perhaps it was just the simple determination to see the finish line of the race because deep down, I know that I’m not a quitter, that I always fight and soldier on, even when the path is perilous and treacherous. I was also lucky that by terms 2 and 3, I had my on-campus mentor, who was really my saviour.
Nurturing and building strong relationships with my students and colleagues will always be a priority. I must constantly remind myself of the importance of resilience, both for myself and for guiding my students through their own challenges. I need to show my students how to cultivate resilience especially with all the challenges and problems the world is confronted with.
I aim to deepen my connections, fostering a sense of trust and support that enhances the learning experience for everyone. Learning goes both ways in my class, it is not a one-way street. I am super excited because this will be my final year in teacher training. God willing, I will be a provisionally registered teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand by October.