It’s been 3 weeks since school has started for me, and I must say, it has been a thrilling ride to say the least. Having slept late and woken up late everyday for the past year, it was such a struggle waking up at ungodly hours of the morning, go through flag-raising and assembly and having to endure the long day after. But I am rather enjoying myself there. Now that my status in school is a little different, I tend to see things in a whole new light.  

When I was 14 years old, I used to think that teachers sweep into class effortlessly and start rambling on about their subject matter. Now I know. Lesson plans after lesson plans after lesson plans. A sturdy lesson plan is required in order for the desired lesson to proceed smoothly and this prized lesson plan takes up to days for it to materialize. The sweat, toil and blood of teachers all go into their hard effort to make sure that the lesson is engaging and fulfils the lesson objectives as well. I’m still struggling, that’s for sure, but now I finally understand why teachers of the past can never find the time to go on outings and gatherings with their classes. Who has the time to go ice-skating when next week’s lesson is still undeveloped? Who can bear to spend the night barbequing when the thought of 3 huge piles of essays left unmarked sends a chill down one’s spine? 

Besides, the education system in schools recently has changed somewhat. No longer can the teacher stand in front of the class and ramble on about a page in the textbook and still expects the students to listen attentively. Students nowadays are very distracted by technology, namely their mobile phones and MP3 players. Of course, friends do play an important role in taking their attention away from the lesson itself. Therefore, teachers now have to try even harder to make the lesson interesting and meaningful for the students so that they can be motivated to pay attention. Isn’t it interesting how teachers have to come up with all sorts of interesting activities to capture students’ interest when they don’t exactly gain anything when the students get their distinctions? 

So is this a lose-lose situation? Maybe not. The sense of satisfaction one gets when the students achieve targeted grades is something that is almost tangible, one can argue. And I totally agree. I used to think teachers don’t get anything out of the students whether they pay attention in class and study or not. But when I see that little satisfied smile on their faces when they get back their results, that is what pushes me on.

And push on, I will, for there is still a long way yet.