MAGIS

A Tale of Two Newbies
Michelle Yu, Prep Teacher & Ninglou Yap, Nursery Teacher

Posted Thursday, 18-Aug-2005 3:51 PM

     Michelle and I are two new teachers among the multitude who were hired by Xavier School this year. Although both of us stand on the same newbie status, our origins quite differ from each other. One of us graduated from college only last year and the other finished graduate school three years ago with the mileage of teaching for a while now.

      Warmly welcomed by the Early Education Department, our everyday consists of experiencing the many firsts in Xavier School. The orientations we have attended so far were quite extensive and both of us noted that this is going to be a year of adjustment. The anticipation of the first days of school was growing last summer and when it finally came, we were both engulfed by a range of emotions. Our personal experiences as well as our superiors and co-teachers added to the mix of how we fared and felt during the first days of school. It was a fact that no matter how prepared we were that time, the sense of uncertainty made us feel wobbly and nervous, especially when we faced the roomful of parents and boys brimming with eager expectations during the EED Open House.

To further elaborate our feelings and experiences, we share with you our insights and reflections. Allow me to present how my co-teacher, Michelle Yu, survived her first Open House, likewise, her first few weeks of school. In return, she narrates how I coped with mine.

Frayed and Frazzled

      As it was with Michelle, the rookie teacher in Prep who just got her diploma, she admitted early confusion with the whole first day of school experience. She was really excited at first to welcome the students, get acquainted with them, and at the same time, meet with their parents. She even knew that she was ready and assured that everything was in place for her first day of teaching, until “THE BIG DAY” came. It was different from what she expected it to be. It turned out that it was not as easy as she imagined it then.

      Begging not to be misconstrued, the sense of despair did not come from the boys nor the parents, nor the supervisors or co teachers, but rather, she blamed herself for it and forgot that classroom management is not a piece of cake. Generally, she surmised that the Xavier community had nothing to do with her agitation because she sincerely felt really lucky to be welcomed by very supportive and understanding people. Even the famous Harry Wong lecture instructed her well. She realized that it really does take time, consistency and lots of patience to be a good teacher. She further noted that she was on the verge of giving up at the end of her first day. She felt awful and not pleased with how she performed at that time despite giving her all. Her co teachers consoled her by saying that she expected too much from herself and everything would get better through time.

      Unbelievably so, her sense of inadequacy urged her to push more of herself to improve especially when a boy told her, “I Love school! I love Prep!” Suddenly, she felt excited once more to see her students and is looking forward to each day that she may encounter with them no matter how stressful it may seem, knowing that somehow she is making a big difference in their young lives. She learned that she just have to be patient and be more hopeful that everyday promises new challenges that would prove to be beneficial not only for her students but for herself as well.

Pressure from Parents

      Ninglou, the more experienced teacher, knew what to expect and was open enough to immerse herself to the conditions of a big school. Coming from a much smaller learning environment, she was used to having it her way in teaching a progressive school. It was a known fact for her that a lot of things in her familiar teaching style would change. Somehow, her openness made it easier for her to adjust and be receptive to a bigger faculty and educational institution. It is very fortunate that the teaching team is a very accommodating bunch. It made her feel welcome and secure. More so, she felt astonished with how much Xavier takes good care of their employees as every teacher is kept abreast with the latest innovation in teacher effectivity to cater to the needs of the students.

      The rest of the summer was spent in preparing for the first days of classes. It was very exciting to foresee what was going to happen this school year. But it surprised her to feel that she was even more anxious to meet the parents unlike most of her co teachers who felt that meeting the boys were much more nerve wracking.

      Ninglou’s anxiety came from the reality that the boys are enrolled in school because their parents are pleased with what the school and teacher has to offer. They are the ones who make the initial decision if whether or not the teacher is competent enough for their children. It is in the hands of the teacher where in a good and lasting impression is always made. Luckily though, the parent’s orientation was a success because of the vast support that came from the faculty and school.

Learning Partners

      The boys proved to be endearing and amenable to learning the school routines and first-day lessons. It is always a fulfillment to see that children grow and develop because there is close partnership and collaboration between the teacher and parents as they see their sons through the learning process.

      We realized that the primal feelings of nervousness and anxiety during the first days are normal. What is important is the fact that these feelings can be harnessed with a decision to strive and be the best teacher possible. If both of us will choose to always love learning alongside our pupils and adapt very well to the constant changes in our surroundings, then our purpose in education would prove to be fruitful and meaningful in the end. We both look forward to a great school year ahead, notwithstanding the stress and all.

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