I have said my peace during the English Meeting this afternoon. I think, and to be really honest and frank, we as a department are doing far too much, implementing and fine-tuning way too much, supporting others a wee bit too much so much so to the extent that I am asking the question of its ultimate purpose. For students? For teachers? For the school?
Standardisation. This has been the one word that has been bugging me throughout the entire meeting. Everything has to be standardised and adhered to the set standards and fixations. However, the paradoxical part I seem to have is why aren't these standardisations explicitly stated prior to the start of the academic year given that this year the school is going to be accessed by an external audit firm. It is even more ironic that teachers are expected to do so much when time ain't on their side. What's with personal development when I don't even have the time to sit and think of the 'what's wrong with me?'
Do I really have high expectations? I think I really do. However, I think I am beginning to feel as though I were imposing these said expectations on my students and thus am always pushing myself a step further to try and add the extra oomph or zest or sugar, spice and everything nice to level up the playing field. It is even more pertinent, I feel, as since the students are all banded for English. If banding is so as to group students of the same calibre, of the same language proficiency, of the same linguistic prowess together in the same class, same environment for a more beneficial learning process, then why is adapting so difficult a concept to appreciate. If engagement of the student is what a teacher is supposed to do, then I surely do not wish to have my students to be cut out from the same cookie-cutter as the rest. For the very simple fact that they are banded, I feel that we should respect the banding and encourage supplementary materials to allow you as a teacher to stretch and optimise the potential of your class while at the very same time cementing an even stronger foundation. It is primarily for the interest of the students!
What about me as a teacher? Don't I have time for myself? Can't I have room for myself to actually have a life and appreciate the many facets of life? Seriously, is it that difficult for me to live a life?
My gripe is not about students. For the record, I enjoy teaching my students despite occasional trying moments. However, it is the system of management that I think needs the fine-tuning more than a simpleton like me. Yet, somehow I get the impression that it would very much be of David and his Goliath.
