Teaching Practice Observations

Reflective Essay : Observation 2012.

“What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of a man who instructs the rising generation’ – Marcus Tullius Cecero. This was ann orange poster behind the door in the Life Sciences teacher Mr Salie’s classroom. I chose to do my observation period at Islamia College High School.
Monday morning as I arrived at promptly 07:45, I could feel the the first day of school atmosphere. The children were chatty in assembly, their uniforms looked neat and fresh. This was the first time I experienced the staff members and learners as a collective. The school seemed united to me. During the assembly as achievements were announced I could feel a sense of pride that the children felt towards the school. A few other students including myself were introduced to the school. I felt respected. . After assembly Mrs Mohommed officially welcomed us and handed our observation timetable for the appropriate subjects, she also added that if teachers were absent we would go and supervise the specific classroom.

I felt powerful and scared at the same time. Supervising a classroom of matric girls can be intimidating, especially since I was there a short two years ago, although I managed. I took register and requested reply slips from the “Friday Snippets”.

Whilst observing the future of our nation, being taught by admirable educators. I observed grades ten to twelve (10-12, Girls College) by Mr Salie and grades ten to eleven (10-11, Boys College). In the Life Sciences classroom Mr Salie would ask me to read a passage or ask my opinion on the topic occasionally. I liked his style of teaching. He was fun, productive and calm. He had a smart board and white board which was very effective in terms of visual aid and increased concentration levels.

Mr Harris at the boys college was a strict, no-nonsense teacher, but highly productive and interactive. He always connected Mathematics into daily life situations, or as close as possible creating a broader understanding to the students. In a classroom full of boys there is a constant ‘buzz’ in the classroom. Mr Harris asked me and another student teacher to assist with marking in the classroom. We received vital advice from him pertaining to teaching methodologies in Mathematics.

Islamia College ha has wonderful learning environment as they all share a common faith Islam, reducing tension in that sense. On the other hand Islamia has just upgraded and revamped the school campus. They have recently added an auditorium, library, upgraded computer labs and modern classrooms. These students are extremely blessed to be part of a classroom of 12-20 learners. Their teachers a re dedicated, sincerely concerned and well prepared teachers. Therefore I deduct that the students at Islamia College are provided with an excellent, efficient and luxurious learning and teaching environment.

Next year when I start on my teaching practice I will have developed my own teaching style which is most appropriate to my personality and most effective for me. I must ensure that my confidence levels will rise. I did not the take the opportunity to actually teach a classroom because I wasn’t confident enough. I need to invest in formal clothing. The students have ‘inappropriate’ conversations with me, I think I did control the situations quite maturely and civil but I need a firmer approach. Next year I will choose to teach at a school with different types of circumstances and a different atmosphere to broaden my vision.