Teaching Styles and Dealing with Young People

 I said I wouldn't write about my job, however I found this interesting.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was taking my class this particular group for the first time on my own as I observe and help the other person while learning the teaching plan. The Friday class I take I'm usually on my own.

This group had a general idea I may be a push over as one Young person had piped up that "Oh Miss you will be lenient aye", lol they had nooooo idea..at all.

One thing I have learned about Young People is if you cant relate to them they wont open up. With the job I'm doing they need to be open to the class to benefit their future. I may have appeared a soft touch to this group, but they soon realised i wasn't and couldn't be fazed.

The group was awesome, had some stragglers who came along for the ride also. Inappropriate questions started flying around the room with which I answered. No use in telling them off, I have a policy where kids are more open if they know you are being honest. Also I knew they were trying to shock me, so I shock them back to cut any continuation of the conversation flow.

My style may shock some people, but with the young of today especially the group I deal with they do appreciate honesty, they want to know who they are possibly going to open up to and also they are very good at spotting B.S. If a young person knows your feeding them crap they wont respect you nor will they take on board anything you say.

I had a chat with my son last night about some of the questions asked of me and how I answered them. He responded with yup if a teacher just rips into them if they say something unacceptable then they tend to shut down. They will switch off especially if they know the teacher has no idea what they are trying to teach. In my position and type of work trust is needed more than anything.

Most people would have been horrified with what was being asked of me, it went right over my head. Being a parent for 18 years, spending alot of time with young people you have to understand and know what makes them tick. Also dealing with my older son and his difficulties has given me some resiliency.

I always have a quick mental assessment of my class and go with the mood they are in. If they are easily distracted or bored I change track and try  to refocus them my teaching plan may go out the window at that time, however if its not working for the kids then I modify it so they can take something home with them that day.....some knowledge.

Most of it is instinct. I may not stick to the program verbatim but the roots of that days material is ingrained. It is impossible to please all students however sometimes we need to think outside of the box with certain groups of people to enrich their learning styles..

One of the most heartfelt things said to me yesterday by a student as they left was "Miss your Da Bomb", I think she is Da Bomb also, an amazing young woman. Its the small comments like that which makes teaching all the more worth it. If one person learned anything form the class I would feel like I achieved something. Is not about the money as it only pays my petrol to and from the School, its about helping young people survive.

Its not about my values, my expectations, my judgement, its about them. I will miss these young people when the school term ends. The Youth are our future, lets look after them aye.

Happy Bday FiFi!!!!