Teaching is such a great and interesting job that sometimes I don't feel that it's a job. I love this job more than any other jobs in the world. It's a job where I can be myself and enjoy the company of my students and see them improve in the areas that I am teaching. The most challenging part in my case is not in teaching or imparting knowledge to my students since it's not that difficult at all. My major challenge is the part where discipline is involved. It's not easy to be speaking in front of the class and see some students doing other things such as reading or sending sms, chatting using their mobile phones and some have the guts to sleep inside the class! At first I was so upset and thought that there was something wrong with me. So I asked some of my foreign co-teachers and other Chinese teachers if they experienced this situation. I am glad that I was not alone in the battle. They too have the same problem as I do. Some teachers even said that it's hard to understand the new generation. Sometimes we feel that students just come to our classes just because they are forced to attend classes but without their personal motivation to learn. They are in the class but are mentally absent. I think parents must help us in motivating these students to learn. I just find it too hard to teach when people already closed their minds about learning new things. When there's no self motivation, it's just like sailing against the current. The journey is too long and tiring. One thing I hate the most is the act of cheating just to pass the exam. Well, I was once a student too so I know that some students would really ask for answers. I have given some answers to some of the "bad boys" in my class during high school since I know that if I wouldn't do that they would do something bad outside the school. So, even if I only gave some answers to them, I still considered that as a form of cheating. Cheating because I allowed them to depend on me and because I didn't have the courage to stop them. Now, it happens again. I think cheating is everywhere, in every corner of the world where is it inhabited by the species called human beings. What makes me sad is that, people really have the tendency to cheat just to get what they wanted. I caught some students cheating and of course I confiscated their papers and asked them to leave. Yesterday, I was a bit scared of my student's reaction. He stared at me as if he wanted to throw something when I told him to leave the classroom. The rule is simple, they can only talk to me during the test, but it seems that this rule is so hard for them to understand. I may not speak Chinese but after 9 months here in China, I can say that I can already get some of the ideas when I hear them speaking. So basically I hear them asking answers and when one student would reply that I am near the other student would just say, "ting pudong" that means I can't understand them, but I did. So that hurts. Cheating right in front of me and even saying that it's okay because I can't understand. Though not every class did this. Some classes were very serious during the exam I could even hear a pin drop. But for some I just couldn't make them shut their mouth during the test. One thing I'm sure is that students are not scared of me. I also got an evaluation feedback from our Dean and he said I am a good teacher but I must also focus on discipline. I guess there's always a room for improvement. I hated my terror professors back in college so as much as possible I don't want to be like them. I don't want my students to learn just because they're afraid of the teacher. I thought learning would be more effective if the environment is more open and friendly, where everyone can express his own thoughts without painful criticisms. Where a teacher is not seen as someone who knows everything, but someone who can facilitate learning and be a friend to all. An ideal classroom for me me is where everyone can exchange ideas. Students would attend the class because it's a place where they can share and not just sit and listen to their teacher. I remember when someone asked me who among the US presidents I like the most, my answer was Abraham Lincoln. Everyone knows how he made a law that ended the racial discrimination in the US which of course was a great job. He also has written a famous letter to his son's teacher which you can always find if you're going to "google" it. (Well, I'm a fan of google, so I used the word). I tried searching it and many pages appeared. Here's a copy taken from www.wanderings.net. Although there are some issues whether the former president really wrote it. But whoever wrote this letter, this is a good one.
Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honorable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
~ Abraham Lincoln
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