Blowing My Own Horn

I try to be optimistic in this blog. I guess I have intentions of writing about some of the tough things I see or go through but there is always so much unusual/funny or culturally fascinating stuff to write about that I tend to go that way.

These past two months have not been easy for me. The teaching has been fine and I have been doing some interesting traveling/activites and have a wonderful set of friends. But I’m a little homesick, I miss my family and friends and my dog and I have a long way still to go. Sometimes I wonder if I’m making a difference at all? Is that even the point of this experience or is that MY goal? It’s hot and humid and a few days ago I saw eight girls get caned (a few whacks with a stick) because their dresses were not 3 inches below the knee, the little puppy that was hanging around my house lay dead in my front yard last week, we've had random power outages, and my 26-year-old taxi driver wants to marry me and take him to the US.

Don’t worry this will get better ;)

So, I decided to see how I was doing. I did an evaluation of 'me', by the kids. I’ve done this in the past and it’s always risky-you have to have a very tough skin-but you can find out some interesting things. I asked my class of 48 ‘Form 2’ students (~10th/11th graders) to anonymously write on one side of an index card all of the things they liked about the class, and then on the back all of the things they would change or thought could be done differently. 47 out of 48 cards were positive. (One student said they didn’t like anything about the class). I can’t reprint all 47 and it was even tough choosing these. Many ‘plusses’ were repeated -many comments about how they liked my punctuality and routine. The only real negatives were that some wished I’d go faster, some wished I’d go slower. (Probably means I’m going at a good pace!) Here are some of the comments (verbatim):


* What I do enjoy is your funny jokes and warm-ups, and how you make learning lively. God bless u! Amen.

*I like the effort you make for instance acquiring those calculators for us to use. The patience you have. Taking your time to teach us. The use of teaching aids as well gives us more understanding. Finally warm up questions we answer every morning before lessons begin.

* I enjoy how you teach and how you sometimes create some jokes for us to laugh. I think this releases tension and improves on our concentration as well as our academic work. I also enjoy the warm ups you give us every morning.

*I like the way you practically teach us some things which under normal circumstance would not be taught by any teacher, this gives me more understanding. Puzzles before class also helps me to be active before class. I also like the way you simplify our copying of notes it makes the class really different from other classes. Prizes given to us inspire us

*Madam I enjoy everything about this class especially the way you behave us.

*I like that u bring calculators for us to work with, interact with students and make us feel relaxed and comfortable. More power to ur elbow!

*What I enjoy in class is how nice you are when teaching also how cool you are and also practical, providing us with equipment that makes learning easier.

*We use practical instruments in learning this makes learning easier and fun at the same time and above all I always have an idea of what is being taught

*What I like about your class is that you say some funny things which makes us laugh. Some people feel sleepy but after hearing the funny words being spoken they become wide awake. I also like the puzzles you always bring before class begins.

*I enjoy the way you teach because it is totally different from my other classes and I think it’s because you’re from the United States.



*I enjoy the warm-up problems before lessons begin, the friendly nature of the teacher, the cordial interaction between the teacher and the students, the punctuality of the teacher, the making of the class fun and interesting by supplying calculators, having assignments and quizzes in a pronted form, giving out of prizes like pencils and erasers.

*Your use of language encourages me to learn even when the approaching question or topic is difficult.

*You treat us in a good manner in order not to get any student offended.

* I enjoy the warm-ups that takes place in class. Living with us in the American ways. For example not using the blackboard, giving us boards(grid) for graph works and so on.

*I enjoy the class very much. I enjoy the little jokes by you. I enjoy the pace of teaching. I enjoy clarity of the teacher’s tone(you). I enjoy introduction of every new topic. I enjoy everything in the class.

* Teaching is always good. There is an improvement in our mathematical reasoning which has also helped us in our Core Maths. I was able to get a 97% in the last exam which made my parents proud of me. Your style of teaching is always the best. Keep it up Madam Jessell.

OK so I’m ‘reaffirmed’ ;) I’ll keep these index cards forever.