REFLECTIVE JOURNAL - 2 "THE PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL"

The purpose of this journal is to periodically document my thoughts and experiences as a practitioner in training. This would allow me to critically compare and contrast my teaching methods and their outcomes, with those of more experienced practitioners. It would also aid me in monitoring my progress over time.

As a reflective practitioner, I understand that I am expected to be unbiased and open minded in my approach to teaching and learning. According to Russell, 1999, "Teachers should for example think about what they have learned from their teaching experiences, and re-evaluate these experiences 'to see them in new ways that might suggest new practices'".

To me, this process seems transformational because it provides a forum for me to constructively evaluate my techniques and to implement more effective approaches to the practice of teaching.

As I reflect on my abilities and skills as a teacher, I am of the view that they are currently in the budding stage of development. This is as a result of me now being exposed to proper principles, examples and methodologies of the teaching profession.

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL - 1

Teachers are supposed to reflect everything that constitutes the moral fabric of society, however, that exists only in a perfect world. As I look back on my own experiences as a student, I am reminded of one teacher who was unreasonable.

I had the same teacher for English Language and English Literature. These subjects alternated on the time table. On Monday, I had my Language class and the teacher gave home - work. I packed my bag each night based on the time table. As such, I took my Language books out of my bag and replaced them with my Literature books. The following day the teacher came to class during the Literature period, however, she did not feel like doing Literature that day and she asked us to take out our Language books instead. Naturally, I did not have my Language books, so I asked one of my friends to lend me her book so I can refresh my memory of the exercise. The teacher saw me using my friend's book and she called me to the front of the class.

She verbally abused me at the top of her voice. She said if I was her daughter, she would have "knocked me down!!!" The entire block heard the commotion. She even gave me "conduct marks", which were given to students who were in breach of the school's code of discipline. I was very hurt and upset because I was not at fault for not having my Language books that day. Furthermore, I felt the teacher's reaction was unmerited as I was a hard working and respectful student.

For the rest of my school life, I harboured feelings of resentment towards that teacher. Having to sit in her class was traumatic for me. I became silent in her classes, I did not ask any questions or make contributions to any discussions. I also isolated myself because students kept pointing at me and talking about what  the teacher had done.

I would have preferred that the teacher recognized that I did not have my books because she did not follow the time table. I would have appreciated if she was sensitive to this fact and take responsibility for her part in this scenario. As I have grown over  the years, I recognize that my teacher was out of line and perhaps needed some psychiatric help. Her actions were extreme and unprofessional. If I had been in her shoes, I would have listened to the student and acknowledge that the student should not have been punished because the teacher felt to do something other than what was on the time table.

Although I highlighted a negative situation, I choose to end this journal on a positive note. The WORDLE below represents some positive characteristics or qualities of a teacher, qualities I hope my students would always see in me.