2019 School Year – done

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Tomorrow is our last day of school for 2019. Teachers report back on Monday, January 13. That is 48 days to fill productively and leisurely.

Between this fact and my recent Mid-Service Training (MST), I am reflecting on the past school year and thinking about the year to come. Looking at my learners’ marks across Term 1,2, and 3 makes me realize how much my 5-week absence in Term 2 effected their grades. This makes me sad. I left work and activities for 3 weeks, but I was gone an additional 2 weeks and they don’t have substitute teachers. Many pulled their marks back up during Term 3, but the multitude of unplanned schedule changes made us rush through the syllabus and some still struggled. Hopefully, I won’t be gone for an extended time next year and I can plan better for the craziness of Term 3.

I know my classroom management and teaching skills improved this year, but I have much room for improvement. I plan to spend time reviewing the techniques I learned at PST, MST, and from other resources so I will have a solid game plan when school starts. Part of the challenge is just figuring out what kind of classroom I want and being consistent with my expectations and consequences. This is easier said than done.

Our Peace Corps goals for the Education Sector include using, and sharing with other teachers, learner-centered teaching techniques. I use these, but I can’t say I have helped other teachers. We are also to include critical thinking activities across all subjects and help other teachers do this. Again, I can’t say I have helped other teachers do this.

My learners did not significantly improve over the year and I did not demonstrate to other teachers better or more effective teaching methods or ways to include critical thinking into their classes. I can admit these “failures” and still feel like this year has been successful. My learners know that I respect them and that I care about them. They know I want them to succeed and I want them to develop a love of learning. My counterparts regularly ask me to review their worksheets and tests to catch errors or an improvement in how to ask a question. I have proof-read papers and dissertations for teachers that are working on another degree. I feel needed, useful, and supported by my colleagues, the administration, and other school staff.

My plan for 2020 is to improve as a teacher, grow the relationships I have developed, make new ones,  and continue serving my school as needed.

All for now with all my love,

Ellen