By Pietro Albano
Work in college has gone full-swing for almost a month now. Last Friday saw the end of Teaching Week 2. I guess all my colleagues would agree that we made it and are ready (are we?) for the third week. I have met almost all students in the groups I am teaching this year; some are familiar faces because I have taught them last year or have bumped into them in the corridor. Most are new faces; some fresh from secondary school, others returning to education after a number of years.
Last week was special because it was the beginning of my own studies for the Diploma in Education and Training, an important qualification for those teaching in Further Education. Thus, I am a teacher and a student "from 2pm to 6pm (every Tuesday)", as Ann Ord (my course tutor) would put it.
There were eight of us in the class that Tuesday afternoon, all coming from various campuses and disciplines of the College. One is in Travel and Tourism, two are from TV and Film production, one is from Welding, another is doing her job placement in College, another is involved in supporting students with learning difficulties, etc. Amazingly, we glued together in a flash!
There was one group activity that made me think of my role as a teacher. Ann showed us various roles of a teacher: lion-tamer, gardener, expert, choreographer, and gasoline pump staff. She distributed photos of these around the room and asked us to choose the role which we think best describes us. I chose gardener because I saw myself as someone who sows the seeds of knowledge, cultivates, and nurtures the minds and hearts of students. Then Ann gave us a scenario and asked us if we would stay in our chosen role. She suggested the start of the academic year. I thought of induction and so I made my way to the expert role because, at that stage students would need to see you as someone who could provide direction in the course. The group activity showed us that the teacher's role changes throughout the academic year.
Indeed, in the first few weeks, they would see me as an expert, as someone who knows the unit or subject inside out. But that would alter when it's already summer. I am about to give some groups their first assignment soon and I would expect them to look up to me for guidance. At times, they may stay behind in the classroom or look for me in the staff room asking me for clarification on what they need to do. As they get the hang of being students and how they are assessed, they will gain more confidence. At that stage, I will ease off the pedal and assume the role of a gardener who will facilitate their learning.
Teachers often face various challenges in the classroom which require adaptability. I could be a lion-tamer one day should the class be rowdy. I could be choreographer to them in another lesson such as when there's an experiment. It's not one-size-fits-all. Regardless, I have to remain open, humble, and passionate. I have to keep on learning. Here goes to my Diploma course!
