Remember December 2023

by | Dec 13, 2023 | Teacher | 0 comments

“Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay (Be like a rice stalk, the more grains it bears, the lower it bows, Filipino proverb). I started 2023 with high hopes: was given the opportunity to teach in a mainstream high school, Otahuhu College, while studying/finishing my teaching qualification from Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ; although I wasn’t teaching Media Studies, I felt good and confident teaching Geography to Year-11 and Social Studies to Year-9 and Year-10 students. I felt like I was back during my youthful, high school years in Zamboanga, the City of Flowers, wherein I enjoyed and loved Geography and Social Studies. I thought I was a great teacher, teaching subjects that I dearly liked and loved.

Then reality hit me, especially with my Year-11s. There were eight girls who particularly made my teaching time with them a nightmare. It didn’t help that since they were senior students, I had them for an hour, five times a week. I almost gave up teaching! I felt exhausted at the end of the day, woke up very early in the morning, dreading to come to class, accompanied by regular panic attacks! I’ve spoken to my Head of Department, senior teachers, and colleagues about my desire to quit. I’ve relayed to my Kaihapai (tutor/mentor) that I was going to quit and no longer had any desire to become a qualified teacher.

And yet, here I am, finishing the 2023 academic year and making plans for 2024. I was already given my teaching load for next year. Quite happy and excited that I will only teach Junior Social Studies plus a Whānau class. I’m also super excited about the Media Club I’m organising as well as the Filipino Club too.

There’s a growing number of new Filipino students coming to our school, hence my desire to have a club. I’m happy to note that another Pinoy teacher is joining me next year! Papunta na tayo sa exciting times!