Today was my first teaching experience as a visiting tutor at Royal Holloway. It was great to be back to doing what I did most of my Salesian life - teaching. I really did not have any difficulty putting on those shoes, in spite of the three year break from teaching. Once in the class and in the flow of getting the students involved and animated, it was great. Being my first interaction with the groups, I did not really delve too deep in the text. Furthermore consciously avoided making those who did not come prepared, by way of reading the prescribed text, guilty or bad by stating it. Rather, focused on helping them realize that in order to 'enjoy' the proceedings of the class activities, they'd have to come prepared. Hopefully they feel comfortable and excited, not just to return to the seminar group next week but also come prepared.
The biggest compliment I received, given totally obliviously, was that prior to the seminar some of the students thought I was one among them! I also realized that I actually know more than what I think I know - I always feel that I don't know things well, but when I see that I do know something more than others, then I realize that all that reading and reflection has indeed made some impression and not gone waste!
However, I always remind myself: aim for learning, not for teaching!
The biggest compliment I received, given totally obliviously, was that prior to the seminar some of the students thought I was one among them! I also realized that I actually know more than what I think I know - I always feel that I don't know things well, but when I see that I do know something more than others, then I realize that all that reading and reflection has indeed made some impression and not gone waste!
However, I always remind myself: aim for learning, not for teaching!
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