I remember the first day that I taught and I was completely besides myself filled with nerves. However, the girls welcomed me with much love and respect. Soon, my first class, Group 1 was a team. Everything we did was in team effort. Studying together, laughing together and even hating together, we did it as a team. When I had to stay goodbye and swapped groups, I missed my girls.
You see, being a teacher is more than just teaching grammar and the art of English, often teachers have to do the side job of being nurturers and role models for these girls. When I see the girls grow within themselves, finding themselves within their skin, it is an emotional roller coaster. I know each girl that I have taught, even the ones that I taught for a week, I remember their faces and their names.
The second group I took on was in February, and soon I had to learn new faces and new names. They had to learn my face and my name too, often struggling to say "Teacherrrr, Zimkitha" or "Miss Zahra". However, me and group 9 had to get to terms with new things.
The first thing I love about my group 9 is their level of honesty. They were always honest with me and they NEVER attempted to cheat, EVER...which is beyond amazing. They were not the cleverest of girls, but they always worked hard and were always concerned about their work.
Yes, like any relationship, there were times we hated each other, especially on Wednesdays, because the weekend is around the corner, the weather is too hot and I am trying to get them to work a little harder. There were times we cried in the class and most of all there were the times we laughed and loved each other.
By far, these girls have shaped me into a better teacher, a teacher that looks beyond the classroom.
I have learned from them of how not to take life sooo seriously and to fall in love with the idea of "marriage".
None the less we learned.
Today was the final day for me and my girls. We had a fun day cut out for them, to enjoy the last day with their friends and with us. Soon, the fun day activities kinde faded and we just ended up doing an all time "Saudi style" party, which consists of loud Arabic music and dancing. When I was standing outside my classroom, two of my students came to give me a hug. As I was hugging them, an overwhelming sadness came to me. I realized how much I will wonder about them. Will they go and finish their studies? Will they become the successful young ladies they want? Will they marry and be good mothers? Will they forget or remember English?
My one student asked me" Teacher why cry?" I said to her that "I have seen you grow and it makes me happy, that is why I cry."
I also got to see my first group of girl, Group 1, and gave them as many hugs as I could. Besides they were my firsts, how can one ever forget ones first class.
So, the chapter is done, and here I am sitting, wondering who will the next new batch of young ladies be? However, I realize that I don't have control over who my girls are going to be next year. However, I do have control of how I can inspire them to be strong young ladies and to know that they can follow their dreams and be whoever they want to be.
So, thank you Group 1 and Group 9 for being amazing girls! I wish you the best of luck.
Your teacher
Zimkitha
You see, being a teacher is more than just teaching grammar and the art of English, often teachers have to do the side job of being nurturers and role models for these girls. When I see the girls grow within themselves, finding themselves within their skin, it is an emotional roller coaster. I know each girl that I have taught, even the ones that I taught for a week, I remember their faces and their names.
The second group I took on was in February, and soon I had to learn new faces and new names. They had to learn my face and my name too, often struggling to say "Teacherrrr, Zimkitha" or "Miss Zahra". However, me and group 9 had to get to terms with new things.
The first thing I love about my group 9 is their level of honesty. They were always honest with me and they NEVER attempted to cheat, EVER...which is beyond amazing. They were not the cleverest of girls, but they always worked hard and were always concerned about their work.
Yes, like any relationship, there were times we hated each other, especially on Wednesdays, because the weekend is around the corner, the weather is too hot and I am trying to get them to work a little harder. There were times we cried in the class and most of all there were the times we laughed and loved each other.
By far, these girls have shaped me into a better teacher, a teacher that looks beyond the classroom.
I have learned from them of how not to take life sooo seriously and to fall in love with the idea of "marriage".
None the less we learned.
Today was the final day for me and my girls. We had a fun day cut out for them, to enjoy the last day with their friends and with us. Soon, the fun day activities kinde faded and we just ended up doing an all time "Saudi style" party, which consists of loud Arabic music and dancing. When I was standing outside my classroom, two of my students came to give me a hug. As I was hugging them, an overwhelming sadness came to me. I realized how much I will wonder about them. Will they go and finish their studies? Will they become the successful young ladies they want? Will they marry and be good mothers? Will they forget or remember English?
My one student asked me" Teacher why cry?" I said to her that "I have seen you grow and it makes me happy, that is why I cry."
I also got to see my first group of girl, Group 1, and gave them as many hugs as I could. Besides they were my firsts, how can one ever forget ones first class.
So, the chapter is done, and here I am sitting, wondering who will the next new batch of young ladies be? However, I realize that I don't have control over who my girls are going to be next year. However, I do have control of how I can inspire them to be strong young ladies and to know that they can follow their dreams and be whoever they want to be.
So, thank you Group 1 and Group 9 for being amazing girls! I wish you the best of luck.
Your teacher
Zimkitha
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