Earlier this morning, I was looking through one of my students' files, and chanced upon an essay he did earlier last year under their previous tutor. He is an experienced teacher, having taught at teejaysee before, and was doing half a year's relief before I came in from annaiyee. Already from student feedback, I knew he wasn't well-liked, but this comment I saw in the essay crystallised everything for me.
Scrawled in huge red, cursive handwriting, he said to this student:
"You call this a plan?!
Tell me, why bother being in the classroom? Your lackadaisical attitude sickens me."
He then goes on to comment after the essay:
"And true enough, the pathetic sorry state of your plan reveals the decrepit quality of this essay...
... Clearly there's one thing I can never teach you -- discipline."
What's his problem??! Granted the essay outline and essay itself weren't good, but do students need such personal attacks early on in their JC life? This student is one of the most earnest in class, but even if you didn't know it, did he merit such attacks? And this wasn't the only one I saw, but this was the last straw that drove me to exclaim quite loudly, and the teachers around were aghast. I marched down to the HOD's office to check and make sure that he would never step into our school again.
So much for pursuing a PhD overseas now. Little wonder you don't find any job worthy of your elite, uncaring face. Stay there, and reserve your histrionics for the decrepit students you're going to face for the rest of your life in academia.
Like begets like. I ask back of you, Mr Marcus Tan:
Why bother being in a classroom?
Comments (3)
*Extinguishes the fireball spits coming from you* But ya mann! Stupid fella! I support you! By.. ensuring we won't name our kid Marcus next time. :p
Much responsibility that lies in our hands. Be it our words or action, they all have power and ability to either crush or build up someone. It's unfair that you have to 'clean up the mess' he has left, but dearie, I'm absolutely confident that you'll be able to change things around for this student.
As we always say, "Students will know in the end, who really cares for them."
I know you do. And that what's make you you- the most amazing emmjaysee GeePee teeecher ever... and the sweetest boooiiiiifrrrreeennn too! :)
And I will probably name my first born Lionel. Metaphorically speaking of course.
Hee hee Pee teacher sounds funny :p But wow, i can imagine the fury cos this is the first time i recall seeing you so direct in giving names...