18 Little Things

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) American historian, journalist and novelist.

In our work immersion in Nabunturan Central Elementary School SPED Center, we faced different children who possess different tastes, talents, abilities and skills that only the 21st century  kids have to offer. And because of this, we knew a lot of things and learned how to adjust in our workplace. Here are just 18 little things but they are big lessons and helpful guidance as to becoming a teacher.

1. Build relationship.

Being in your workplace requires congeniality. You cannot be good in your job if you are not good towards the people around you. As for me, it is like wearing 2 masks. One is maturity for dealing with the teachers, and the other is juvenility for the children.

2. Be beastly.

Even if you are playful and juvenile, you also need to be a beast, sometimes. Not literally, of course. You still need to tame them and take control of things.

3. Patience is a virtue. 

Kids consume patience! Make sure you have tons of them.

4. Become a model.

Kids tend to admire older people. Because of this, they love to copy everything we do, say and have. Whatever they are now, however improbable, could be the basis of whatever they will become.

5. Be an attention-seeker.

Think of some ways to get their attention, just like shouting "hi!", which they would respond to with "hello!" You can also clap your hands as loud as you can.

6. Use bribery.

Every kid loves prizes. It cwould be chocolates, candies or money. If you can't afford anything at the moment, you can still bribe them with... "No one goes home unless you all keep quiet!"

7. Be a good magician.

Sometimes, you also need to create some lies to divert their whines. This can also come in handy when a kid refuses to write or answer quizzes. Have some good talking and story-making skills to keep them going.

8. Be a better magician.

"A VERY good magician never uses the same trick twice." There are times that you have to think of new and better techniques to entertain and tame them, or else, it will bore them.

9. Alwaya smile. 

This isn't a very hard job for me, I can say. Kids really love greeting new people. It's like a message saying that they want to be friends with you. So you just have to respond with a nod, a hand wave, or the simplest smile you have.

10.Get ready for monkeys. 

Children really are clingy! They will hug you, hold and grab your arms, so watch out for them.

11. Be prepared for multiple proffessions.

One moment, you're a teacher, and then the next, you're a parent. Now, you're a janitor, and then you're a secretary. You can also become a referee and a nurse after the fight. There are so much to experience. No need for years of study, a day of teaching is more than enough.

12. Get a voice lesson.

Practice your voice as they are the foundation of teaching. You will use it all day. Discuss, instruct, discipline. It is much expected to have raspy throat after several hours of teaching.

13. Observe your surroundings.

Be observant not just to the students, but also to the teachers, as well. This can help when you're already on your own.

14. Grab some buddies.

Aside from intangible things such as love, patience, and hardwork, you also need pen, paper, pencil and chalk. Students love to play with these, so you gotta keep some extra.

15. Learn how to write their own way.

You don't want to be laughed at because of bad penmanship, right? Keep the letters aligned, make them big, and follow the blue-red-blue rule.

16. Have time-management.

All the students' performance should be recorded, plus, your own reports and requirements. Thus, you should think of them first before your own leisure time.

17. Always absorb positive energy from your environment.

If you get stressed, you will get old fast. When you feel like bursting, just take a deep breath and imagine a peaceful place. You can also play with the kids, if you want. If you can't go against the river, then go with it.

18. Every child is special.

Don't. Ever. Forget. This.