I am a teacher
October 12, 2020
Finding my Strength in Lockdown
October 28, 2020
“Sit still Thobani! Stop turning around Phindi… Young man if you don’t start writing that work is going to write by itself!" – ahhh the famous lines of teachers in the moments where we are almost at our wit's end…
You see some people call it Jurassic Park, it’s made up of tons of different species, others call it magic – they think we’ve spellbound the children and some just drop their jaws and wonder why they cannot get one child to listen, but we can get it done with 30, 40, or even 50. Well to me it's simply a gift from God.
Back to School
I’ve always wanted one of those holidays where I would have so many days that I would not know what to do and boy did I not expect this in the 21st century to get the longest holiday ever. I have to secretly admit when the announcement was made I was super excited! Finally my big break away from tons of red pens, mountain piles, classwork books and dozens of test papers to get through! But FOUR months into my big break I started to get insomnia, like a crazy lady I suddenly didn’t want this big break anymore. Sleepless nights wondering, thinking, walking to and fro, what on earth was going on!?
I started to think about the true reasons that brought real joy to my days and like a huge ocean wave it covered me up! Every name of every child that would make my day a nugget of true happiness. It’s funny how I thought I was always going to find these things on my own yet in my very own classroom, I had it all. For happiness: Phindi’s great big smile; for encouragement: Jerry’s will to strive despite his difficult upbringing; for a bit of fun: Thobani’s playful jokes and Dee’s funny quotes; and just for that professional moment: we all need Jasmine’s smart comments; and if ever I’m in need of a holiday treat I just have to take a trip with Kayden on one of his crazy, imagined adventures. I absolutely cannot forget those cheeky little ones who would sneak in a snack, which reminds me that eating alone at lockdown was rather lonely!
A New View on School
So I won’t be packing my bags to rush off, I won’t be complaining about all the faults the system may have, I won’t be complaining why Thuli is late for school or that I’m having late nights from tons of school work because all of that is insignificant compared to thinking about what’s going on with my dear child! In the time of crisis, my country faced a microscopic germ that forced us to hide, NOT seeing each child that makes up my life was the biggest crisis of my life… So here’s to every one of my little golden jewels who truly defines my time in this life…
My tiny little nuggets of treasure in my chest!
