Me, the Teacher

Being a teacher is fun. I really believe it is. Apart from loads of checking/correcting stuff and constant hunting for inspiration to make a lesson enjoyable, there are the people for whom you pull yourself together. I like listening to them, I'm always happy to hear from them what's "shakin' " now.. As for teenagers, I love them speaking about (or rather mumbling because they're usually a bit ashamed of) having a boyfriend/ girlfriend. Of course they don't want me to know, I'm a stranger, somebody they think has no idea about anything. An alien. Might be.

I like being listened to, that's why I am who I am. I am a teacher. Sometimes they don't listen to me at all. Sometimes they tell on me, that's not fair. I am a put-the-blame-on-me teacher.

I like acting in front of others, that's why I am who I am. I am a teacher. I tend to talk too much and it's not necessarily interesting. I should be more a now-it's-your-turn teacher.

I like observing other people's behaviour and reactions. I've recently discovered that boys can argue about trivial things too. I realise it is no use threatening fourteen-fifteen year olds with a bad grade. I am an almost know-all teacher.

I like looking through books. Heaven forbid I happen to be in a bookshop. I am addicted to spending money on books. But that's probably not that bad. I am just a spend-it-all-they-may-be-useful teacher.

And when I finish my lessons, I'm so worn out that I'd rather not listen to anything of that. Oh, until the next day that is to say.

There are times when I wonder how much energy and devotion there is inside me to spare. Will it be enough for a next year? Or for having a try in a state school for a change?