relief teaching thus far

having been relief teaching for quite some time now, i must say that it's been quite exciting (compared to other jobs! =P) many people have been saying that they find their jobs very boring as they always face the computer, or pick up phones.. well, i'm just glad to be given the oportunity to experience life as a teacher! and though it is tiring (which job isn't right? =P), and it can be very energy-draining at times, but at least i don't face the same things each day! it might be the same students that i see everyday, but they behave differently everyday and most of my classes are really hilarious! i always have a good laugh when i enter all my 4 classes! and when i have free time, it's always spent slacking with my fellow "colleagues" =P haha! so yah! at least my working experience isn't that mundane and boring..

it's not all fun and laughter.. it can be really stressful! i remember i was super stressed when my classes had to finish this experiment (some spring thing) within 2 periods.. and i was constantly rushing and rushing them, but somehow, students don't sense the urgency in the teacher's voice! not that i wasn't guilty of it when i was a student too? but now that i'm in the position of the teacher, i get to experience all these ahem "great" things! haha

one of the students said something like, our class is actually very fun, if u're a student.. then i added, but not when i'm the teacher! haha i guess my class gave our teachers their fair share of noise and nonsense too! and i can definitely understand where they are coming from =) but well, i don't think my class was ever that bad! but i'll never know! =P

and after marking test papers, it is really quite saddening to see students fail.. cos i'll always wonder to myself, does the problem lie with me? am i not teaching properly? or is it just that the students in that class isn't studying? and sometimes i really feel that i'm talking to a wall cos hardly anyone listens.. sigh.. i really cannot expect any job to be so smooth sailing right?

on the otherhand, it's very uplifting to see students work hard and pass their tests in the end and those who ask questions in class! wow! i had a surprise today, this student in my class always sleeps in lessons and today, he actually took out his notes to read!! (though he still didn't pay attention) i hope to see more of these "surprises" from my classes! =P

actually one of the reasons i don't usually scold my classes is cos i really can't bring myself to? i know sometimes i must enforce some discipline, but it's a very tiring feeling to scold people. and it's first 3 months, no one listens in lects and tutorials anyway! i really have to "plead" with my classes to do their work and hand them up! =/

i think i've grown to tolerate many different people.. and some of the students are just acting naughty and tough on the outside, but actually they are really nice and thoughful and sincere people. and it's the other side of them that i'd rather see. it's my wish that the classes can start to work really soon. i know that when i was a student, i played my first 3 months away too! but now that i can say "i'm speaking from experience", i realise that it's not wise.. and this i've told a lot of people, but well, doubt anyone heeded this "rubbish" advice =P

i don't hate any classes, cos all the classes are so lovable in different ways. and i think this is the plus point of being a teacher =) the students can be really sweet, and these are the ones that leave good memories for you! well, i dunno how long more i'm going to teach, but i shall treasure whatever time i have left as a relief teacher!

i think i'll miss my classes when i stop teaching them.. =\