Latest from me...

I need to stop making promises to myself that I have a good chance of breaking. I said I’d blog at some point this weekend, so I intend to carry through, just wish I had the time to keep this space as current and topical as I initially had planned. Anyway, as it seems like no one is really reading it, at least I’m not letting anyone down.

As of a week and a half ago, I am no longer solely a grade 6 teacher. Towards the end of last term, I was requested, by the principal, to move up to Grade 7 and teach English (the teacher who was teaching English to the Grade 7s is off on maternity leave). The past 8 school days (and the weekend in between) have been pretty intense, and as always in teaching, a learning experience of note. It’s quite remarkable actually to see the difference in the classroom between learners one grade apart. On top of that, I’m also taking a reading class with the Grade 5s which just perpetuates the difference perspective even more.

But, all this said, I’m still absolutely loving it and am as still as convinced as ever that there is no better job for me than teaching. I want to get to a point on this blog where I am sharing my daily experiences, I hope I can get there in the foreseeable future (it’s going to take commitment). As for today’s post, let’s just view this as an update in my life.

On the studying front, exams are fast approaching and the assignments are piling up…think I may not sleep. Just kidding, the work is great as usual, but also only what I make of it. I’ve decide that the University of Johannesburg does not stimulate you, rather, you make a conscious decision to be challenged and stimulated by what you put in. Currently I am working on three assignments, one each on philosophy and psychology of education, and one on Educational Law. They are all interesting and the readings I’ve been doing are quite insightful, which makes the work seem less tedious and deadline oriented.

Going to do the easy thing and copy and paste a few things below for interest sake…if you’re interested, read them. I hope to blog again soon…must put it on my to-do list.

By the way, if anyone is reading my posts and my blog, PLEASE leave some comments. I’m so interested to know what people who read blogs like mine think.

Take care
Siobhan


A letter I wrote to a local newspaper as a letter to the editor: A voiceless future

Increasingly, as I speak to more and more people in South Africa about the education system in our country, all I hear is, unsurprisingly, negativity. Pertinent are the ruthless comments about the lower, ever declining standards, violence, substance abuse and the lack of motivation and interest from the youth, ‘the future of our country’.
As a primary school educator, I will stand testimony to all of this – drug abuse on school premises, persistent fighting, violent behaviour and a large majority of learners who don’t seem to care either way if they pass of fail, or even get an education.
Yes, I agree, it seems an ever declining and deteriorating system, BUT who is really to blame? A government that does little for education? The disinterested youth?
In a typical case of hypocrisy, the people doing the complaining are to a great extent educators, (absent) parents and of course society at large. But where are the ‘democratic citizens’ who should be addressing this? When last were the youth in our society addressed on key issues of the day, by the government, the media, or even their teachers and parents? When last did you sit down with your child or the learners in your classroom and ask them what they think of democracy, the crime levels, HIV/AIDS and their education?
Young people in South Africa are, and will remain, largely unaddressed about today’s social and economic issues which are setting the foundation for the country they will lead.
Where are the platforms (media, classrooms, family rooms) for active deliberation by young people and how does the hypocrisy of a corrupt and non-transparent and dishonest education system develop democratic young minds that will lead our country twenty to thirty years from now?
I can’t handle the passive ‘concern’ and criticism about ‘the education system’ and ‘the future’ when in fact it’s our generation that has failed our children: we’ve taught them how to love money more than family, a Playstation more than a fellow human being and commodities over values.
This is our doing and until we admit and address our failures, we cannot expect ‘the future’ to be any brighter.
Where are the voices of those most valuable to our society, economy and ultimately those responsible for the continuation of our species? Is this the legacy we leave?

(As an aside – there were no responses to this letter! Does this mean people really don’t care and are that apathetic, or are there no people reading the newspaper…in which case I’m glad I chose teaching over journalism)


An extract from a portfolio assignment I recently completed - Why I chose the teaching profession:
The education that I received, and continue to receive, as a young South African, has played a huge part in developing me into the person I am today. In line with my own experience and my fundamental conception of what a good, sound and thorough education can contribute to each individual, and in turn society, I decided to become an educator to make a personal contribution to the lives of young South Africans. I am very passionate about the contribution that a good education can make to our democratic society and I have an unusual belief and optimism with regard to the ability of young people to make a huge difference in our society, if they receive a good education. I am also very passionate about young peoples’ rights to education, a right that for many of our youth is still largely unattainable, despite the supposed ‘constitutional guarantee’. Furthermore, I believe that it is important for young people to have good role models who inspire a good sense of honestly, integrity and responsibility, and who generate the idea that education is a powerful and empowering tool for a successful future. Lastly, I want to see young people stand up for what they believe in and make a difference, and I’d like to play a part in accessing their voices and letting them have a platform (my classroom) on which to speak out about what they see as important.

Hi again

So it's definitely been ages since I last posted, not that anyone is keeping tabs right. I've discovered why educators in SA don't blog - BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME. The GDE is keeping us too busy with random tasks to actually have anything that resembles a life. I plan to make a post this weekend which will update any potential visitors as to what I've been up to - personally, educator and student wise...watch this space.

Siobhan

Hi again

So it's definitely been ages since I last posted, not that anyone is keeping tabs right. I've discovered why educators in SA don't blog - BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME. The GDE is keeping us too busy with random tasks to actually have anything that resembles a life. I plan to make a post this weekend which will update any potential visitors as to what I've been up to - personally, educator and student wise...watch this space.

Siobhan