A dialogue with Oneself

A dialogue with oneself

Did you become teacher by choice?

To me far more important is to ask that now as a teacher am I enjoying (doing justice with) my work.

What does that mean? Here are few questions that we should ask often to ourselves:

a)    Am I happy with the work that I do?

b)    Do I love learning new things in my subject? Do I challenge myself with difficult questions in my subject?

c)    Do I love teaching my subject?

d)   Do I love teaching the subject to the grades assigned to me?

e)     Do I look forward to share the beauty of a concept (subject) with my students?

f)    Do I feel happy (not always, obviously!)thinking about my children?

g)   Do I look for ways to have win-win (may seem lose-win) relationship with difficult students?

h)   Do I research (internet, books, discuss with people in the field) for the best material, teaching aids, instructions, activities, worksheets, questions asked in an interesting/ inviting way?

i)     Am I open for ideas from my colleagues?

j)      Am I open for critical (constructive) feedback on my teaching from an observer?

k)  Do I have fun planning my lessons taking care of each student’s need and abilities?

l)     Do I make best use of every 40 min session?

m)Do I feel accountable for each student whom I teach?

n)  Do I reflect daily on what went right / wrong in the class and improvise the plan if required?

o)    Is the hard work you have to put in making you happy?

p)    Do I laugh with my children?

q)   Can I still laugh after all the hard work?

r)     Am I growing as a teacher?

s)    Am I aware of my strengths and weaknesses as it will also help me to accept (empathise with) my students?

t)     Am I an example myself of what I expect from my students?

u)   Did I have a good feeling thinking about all these questions?

If you have to spend most of your life working then why not find ways to ‘Have fun!’ in it.