Three Diligence

The class is called Three Dilligence. But almost all the students are not hard working.

When I am teaching, their hum of conversation overwhelms my voice.  No matter how many times I tell them to be quiet, they ignore me by speaking several octaves louder.

PT3 is drawing near, and to address their problem in writing, I give them a lot of grammar-consolidation lessons. However, my efforts are futile because they are bent on not doing anything in my lessons.  My dignity falls into pieces on the floor, and they trample on them with reckless disregard for what I feel.

Yesterday, the students made a lot of noise while sitting an examination. I could not contain my anger and stormed out of their classroom, seeking help from the principal.

"Were they really noisy?" asked the Principal.
"Yes," I said through clenched teeth. " They kept on shouting profanities to each other."
"Okay, return to your class," said the principal. "I'll be there in a minute."

With drooped shoulders I returned to the classroom.  To my surprise they were very quiet.  They must have thought that I had sought help from the principal and that a chastisement was underway.  I looked at them sternly and sat down.

Thirty minutes elapsed but the principal did not show up.  I then remembered that he had once told the teachers in a meeting that we should not be too dependent on him in controlling our students. As an educator, each of us should find ways to deal with our own classes.  I sighed inwardly and continued fixing my stare on the students.

Another thirty minutes went by and I found myself nodding off.  The more I tried to keep myself awake, the worse it became.  When I opened my eyes with the stark realization that I had drifted to sleep for quite some time, everyone in the class roared with laughter.  I tried to put on a serious face but in spite of myself, burst out laughing with them.  

The laughter quickly stopped when I struck the table to restore order.  I wanted to say something to reprimand the students but I choked on my own words.The students regarded me gleefully and I mentally conceded my defeat to them.  Despite their naughtiness, they were actually a cute bunch.

Today, I entered the class as if nothing had happened.  I was expecting them to be rowdy again but I was wrong.  From beginning until end, most of them paid attention to my teaching.  What made them so mild all of a sudden?  I had no idea.  Perhaps they had detected something new in me.  I was normally vindictive when I entered their class.  Could it be the smile on my face that had made them behave differently to me today?

Three Diligence, to win your attention, I may have to try a different approach to get to know you better.






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