I finished grade 9 in a
private school in Bekaa. My parents decided to register me in a public high
school because financially it was hard on them to keep me in a private school.
I felt so sad for their
decision but I was obliged to go because it was the only solution for me. I
never forgot the first day in the school. I entered the class so nervous and
the environment was totally different from that of the private school.
The third period was
chemistry and I was surprised that the chemistry teacher was my teacher in the
private school. Seeing my old teacher entering the class room made me feel so
relieved that, for seconds, I forgot my place and all the memories of my old
school flew back in my mind. This state helped me get over my feelings for the
new school.
His style and behavior
inside the classroom were the same as it was in the private school. All
students in class were silent and attracted by his lecture. He talked about the
rules that must be followed in classroom(review each session at home, do your
homework’s, ask questions by raising your hands, respect each other,…). Finally
he said a sentence that I never forget: “I am your big brother here don’t deal
with me as a teacher”.
Treating students this
way makes them feel respectful and worth all the hard work a teacher can offer.
The first two hours were
Arabic and the teacher entered the class and started asking about our books and
why we didn’t bring them to class and his frown made us optimistic. He didn’t
submit himself or even allow us to interact in the class. He gave us a lecture
and our job was to listen.
Based on research, when
school begins, the
first day of the second year of school is similar to returning from a long
vacation rather than starting a totally new school year (Forsten, Grant,
Johnson, & Richardson, 1997; Pratt, 2009; Simel, 1998).
Going back to the
chemistry teacher, his learning strategies during the year were not all
lecture- based, but he used to take us to the lab and demonstrate the
experiments for us and made applications on the theories he taught. Even more,
he used to bring concrete materials to the classroom especially in the
explanation of atoms and molecules, he used to bring foam balls and sticks to
demonstrate the form of the molecules.
Based on research, it
is possible to expect that every chemistry experiment has a motivational impact
on students. The fact that simple experiments give the strongest motivational
effect is verified by several studies (Trna, 2005). Pedagogical research
based-on teaching methods are necessary for the use of simple chemistry
experiments in every day school practice with a high level of motivational
effectiveness. Simple experiments are
the source of strong motivation because they can activate cognitive needs such
as problem solving, but can also satisfy the needs of our senses and
kinesthetic activity.
My teacher
completely changed my learning experience. He pushed the boundaries of what I
thought I could accomplish as a high school student and as a college student in
the future, and having him as my mentor improved my quality of education
tenfold. I’ll never forget my last lecture with him; he left our class with
this piece of advice: “Your life is really just beginning, and the best days
are to come. You don’t need to know your major or career goals right now, so
don’t let anyone tell you that you should have it figured out”. He always made
everything easier for us, and more fun. He was like a much older brother and
friend that gave us advice when we were in need for, and looked after us like
no one else.
This teacher was my
inspiration to choose chemistry as my career. After graduation, I had the
chance to be a teacher in this high school and for my good luck, he was my
coordinator!!!!
It was and still
my dream to have the same impact on my students’ academic journey as he had in
mine.
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