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Hi everyone! So this is not the case of I finally had time to sit down and talk about something that happened to me. This is more of I have finally something to talk about instead of just always sharing what's up with my life and all those you know? I mean things are not changing too much and so I don't want to always be repeating the same content in different post, it'll be boring right? then i think nobody would want to read my blog anymore. So here's something that I've been thinking about recently: Being an example, leadership & things being a teacher has taught me. What's the big deal? You might ask. And I'm glad you did. Ever since I started working as a teacher (and also during the times when I was an assistant teacher) I came to realize something that really is not easy to do and that is to be an example. We are humans and of course we have flaws and we are imperfect, but children do not view us that way. Do you know what the children think? they think that teachers are their idol (just like how children LOOOOVVVVEEE their parents even though they scold them). And being seen so highly by the children kind of adds a little stress to me. HAHAH because I know sometimes I am not being a good example and in a moment of being a little excited or high I will lose my image. And you know what? The children catch on to that. If as a teacher, in a moment of anger I used the words "shut up", one day I will not be surprised that the children say those words too because this is how they learn - by imitation. Because I am the perfect person, everything I do is correct. If I eat and I leave food in my bowl, then probably what I do is acceptable too. Whatever I do, they follow. And I feel like this thing about being an example not only applies to being a teacher, this is just a basic point about leadership. And I feel that especially being Christian, this applies to me EVERYWHERE I go. I mean sometimes it is difficult, no doubt. As a Christian we represent the body of Christ, we represent Jesus everywhere we go. So I have to always watch my image, the way I talk and everything. No, this is not the case of if I don't watch myself I will speak vulgarities or something, but more of thinking through how I would respond to a situation appropriately (example if someone gossip about another person, or if somebody asked me a sensitive question) and how I can show myself to be a better teacher/leader that the children can depend on and trust. Under the umbrella of leadership/teaching, being an example is just a small little part of so many things that are expected. Being an example, you are suppose to be the one setting the standards (aka the know-it-all). Same rule applies to being a leader. You cannot be an example in your class if you failed an examination, you can only be one when you are at the top, when you are ahead of everyone else. As a leader/teacher, you cannot be lagging behind the standards too. If as a teacher, I am expecting my students to know the sounds that the alphabet makes, then I jolly well know the sounds they make first. I feel that at any point in time, I always have to watch myself because I am the representation of the person they will become, my standards have to always be there no matter what. Same goes to leadership (especially being a leader over a long period of time with the same people), if the leader does not progress, the followers cannot either. The standard of the leader has to be there AT ALL TIMES. You cannot go like "______ is wrong okay.. don't follow what I am doing" to someone that looks up to you. NO, this is not how it works. Over time, your follower will start to lose respect for you and they will no longer be able to look up to you the way they should anymore because the standards are being mixed up. Especially working with children, I can see that they really copy what the teachers do, and what the parents do. This is why it is all the more it is important that I am at my best all the time. As a leader, I feel that it is important to think ahead, to always have a back-up plan, so to say. To acknowledge (and understand) the problems that are on-going, how it is going to affect in the long run and know how to solve it. This is easier said than done because sometimes when executing the plan of solving the problem, it doesn't work. Just a few weeks ago, I came to realize that my class of 4 year old are unable to recognize the numerals 1 to 5. This is the very basic thing that 4 years old should know (in my point of view). And so now I have a problem.. it is not the top priority in the list of concerns, but IT IS THERE and in the long run, they are not going to be able to catch up if they do not learn the numerals. I have a few solutions, and they are working to some children, and not working to some. So what do I do now? "I don't know" should not be my response. Being responsible for them, I have to always have even more back-up plans, if plan A doesn't work, then I have to try plan B. Another example: If you're a leader of a camp group, and it is a compulsory camp. You have to expect that there are going to be people that is going to sulk, or just be not enthusiastic. This is going to affect in the long run (probably). Your friendship with this person might not be as good, or probably your team will not be able to win because of this particular person. So even before the camp starts, you have to think ahead how you would counter it if you experience something like this. I'm not saying that bad things will always happen, but I'm saying that you have to be prepared for it. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. These are not even the hardest, these are the obvious situations that it is a problem. The worst comes when things just happens every day and you just miss subtle hints and then one day everything happens. And this is why the last point is important.. Finally, being a teacher has taught me how to sometimes stop and observe (whenever possible). Always listen to others first before stating your point, especially when I'm not at their level. Being a teacher, I am sometimes unable to see things from their point of view. Being a teacher and a daughter, I've been on both sides before, the leader and the follower. Honestly, it is two different world. That's why it is specially important for the leader to ALWAYS go down to the follower's level (talk in a way they can understand and not just rattle on). I mean, after all, this is what a leader is for. To go down to hold people's hand and guide them up to be closer to where you are and not be up there and expect people to climb to you while you continue to proceed on without looking back. This journey is never easy.. I don't think it ever will be. But there will definitely always be things to learn, extra miles to go for. I'm only the the beginning of this exciting journey, and definitely still looking forward to it each and every single day. I'm proud to say that I enjoy going to work and I love my job! :) |