Week Three

The learners become comfortable with us being around. This week our responsibilities started and we were appointed classes with off periods, this was a challenge… The school has periods long enough for students to complete homework, thus having free time only equals to fun for them. They are not the quiet chatty types, nor did they know that whispering a whole conversation was possible. I am still not quite sure whether they have grasped this concept.

We are about 15 teaching students doing practical at the school, however all have different time frames in which this will be completed. We are however 5 staying for the full duration of the third term. The principle called all five of us into his office for a discussion. This just started confusing for me… I was in a “busy” let’s not call it a rowdy class, thus we only heard some of the announcements but I was not concerned as I am very seldom involved with announcements. We heard the announcements going of a second time, but we were still busy with the lesson so we continue being “busy”. We finish the discussion and the class becomes quite, the next moment the intercom goes off; the principle in a very serious voice says: ‘Juffrou Bredenkamp, Juffrou ek wag vir jou!’ I don’t know who had the biggest scare me or the teacher I was at. Needless to say I was scared now!

Luckily it was only to talk to us because of the period of our duration, that we will be staying longer and thus really be regarded as teachers. With this he shared with us that the biggest challenge new teachers face is that of discipline, he also invites us to press the intercom and inform him immediately when a class is out of control and not being disobedient. This sounded like one offer that I would wish not to take up, however as the week continues I struggle with discipline. Other student teachers tell me to buzz the principle, not be afraid and that I only need to make an example of one student.

The class that I was allocated, grade 10 D was taking advantage of me and ruling the class, it was ciaos. The next moment on impulse I decide to make good on my promise of buzzing the principle. He answers by first reprimanding the teacher I am with, the learners were refusing to listen to her too, and only then reprimanding the learners. I honestly did not gain anything out of this at that moment. The class was quite for the rest of the period, they had a double (two hours). To date those where the two longest periods of my school career as a teacher.

I apologised to the teacher after school, luckily this class’s reputation exceeds it and this was my saving grace. Because of their reputation the principle did not do further investigation into the matter. I avoided the class and the teacher for about two days. I had to settle in with my teacher relationship, which is thankfully renewed. However, my relationship with the class has changed, they respect and accept me as a teacher now, although we still have relationship.

During this week ATKV choir finals were held in Stellenbosch and my school were to attend. I didn’t care much for the kids, but the teacher that was accompanying them. Firstly, it was great see to familiar faces and gain wisdom from a veteran. This one teacher is now at the university, nonetheless the advice he gave was of invaluable worth. His advice was; to set clear boundaries, the learners should trust you but not see you as their friend (the position I was in at the moment), to be very strict and not show your “nice” side as this will help with respect and to be consequential and fair (thus to follow through on threats and statements). This helped me to understand the current situation that I was in and how to out from under to rise to the top.

I learned a lot during this week, it was not exceptionally fun as my comfort zone was invaded and stretched. But there’s a saying; “Life only starts at the end of your comfort zone”.

Amazement consumed me, there is still so much to learn… I was both scared and filled with excitement to develop.