This was actually written as part of a job interview process - an off the cuff short essay. Comments welcome, as to style and content (I think grammar, punctuation is pretty ok so I’m not really interested in comments about that but you’re welcome to anyway!) Thanks for your feedback!
Why do you want to continue to be a teacher? (Short essay)
A certain creative artist once said “Life is too short not to do something that matters”
During my nearly nine years of teaching Visual Art and other subjects within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis I have experienced a myriad of different teaching and learning situations: this has certainly opened my eyes to the fantastic potential, as well as the challenges that face the children of this dear little country! To be involved in the process of helping the students to develop skills and understanding, appreciation of beauty (not least their own!) and confidence in their own abilities is certainly a privilege.
Over this period of years (during which I have taught at both Primary and High School levels) there have been so many special moments of interaction with individuals as well as groups of children, that have reinforced my positive feelings about being a teacher. Together we have explored - whatever topic or practical exercise it may be - and learned something about ourselves too along the way. The enthusiasm of kids is surely infectious!
I wish to continue in teaching furthermore because of incidents such as the following. A certain young boy in Grade Four was often unsettled and distracted during my classes. One day recently this same child happened to mention an older brother or cousin who loves to draw. It was the end of a class where the boy had, as usual, not been very productive. Here was my opportunity to relate to this child in a fresh and positive way. “Perhaps you could get your older brother/ cousin to show you how to draw” I suggested. “That will help give you the confidence you need to be an artist” I explained to him. Since that time, this boy seems to have realised that I am on his side, and his manner has been more pleasant and cooperative in general. There have been numerous other similar incidents, where I have been able to relate to the ‘naughtier’ children and show them that I care about their progress just as much as I care about the better-behaved ones.
It’s as if, as a teacher, one is very gradually building up every day in this subtle art of enabling these young fellow-human beings to become the best they can be in their own unique way, not only academically but also creatively and morally. Bit by bit I have realised that I, too, have to grow and develop alongside the students I’m employed to teach. I have to especially develop even more compassion and to become an excellent listener, listening carefully to the responses and questions that the children present to me. (Why should I expect the children to be excellent listeners if I’m not?)
I could not stand to be in a job that did not demand that I grow within it!
