First let me start by saying when I first started teaching abroad, I was not a teacher.
I was not motivated to move across the ocean to inspire kids. I wanted to be a teacher because it was the only opportunity for me to explore the world on a shoestring. I had no money and a whole lot of debt... how else was I going to get anywhere?
Now that you know my altruistic intentions, you are probably guessing that my classroom was a joke.
It was.
The kids walked all over me. My classes were awful.
Not wanting to fail, I started trying to learn how I could be more effective. These same kids were learning in other classrooms and they were behaving too... how could I change the world and become a decent teacher...
I did just that, I changed. I became their teacher, not their friend. I prepared for my lessons and created goals and outcomes that were realistic for my classes. I wasn't consumed with the desire to be funny all the time and always have my kids smiling. They are there to learn - be their teacher.
Good luck in your classroom. My kids are great. They were awful to begin with but what else could I expect, they didn't have a leader in the classroom. Be a leader, be their teacher.
Jon
Footprints Teacher
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