A New Experience! BY Sarah Salla

  “Students do not need a perfect teacher to teach them. They need a teacher who gets them excited about learning. A teacher who smiles and makes coming to school enjoyable.”

  Recently a new teacher resigned. Upon her decision, I took over two of her English Classes.

When I first walked into the class, all the students started clapping and had a request: “Don’t start the period with saying, “Open your books page.....” they said. I smiled and said put the books away. I don’t need them now. I added I would like to know each and every one of you. Also it would be great If we could have a little agreement all together.

  When it was time to build our little agreement, I suggested that they speak without asking for permission. “We are just chatting.” One girl said from the front row. I repeated her words with a smile. Some points in our written agreement were: 

1. We deserve to have breaks and enjoy educational games.

2. Support us if at any time the administration punishes us.

3. Don't throw a lot of homework and assignments at us.

4. Consider our needs and questions.

5. Repeat in different ways and methods.

6.Embed projects related to our everyday life and interests. 

7. Speak English.

8. Treat us equally.

9. Try your best in class and home.

10. Listen to each other.

  After writing our little agreement, we added our signatures. Every time I would form my sentences using their answers, they would smile. Every time I'd say:” Tell me more.” or ask them: “How does that make you feel?” they would get even more engaged.

I realized that all they asked for are simply their rights. They have the right to be heard and noticed. It’s their right to learn the way they prefer. No one can take away their right to be accepted and loved for all they can do and cannot do…..

 Then I asked a volunteer to facilitate an educational game (responding to one of their requests) before we start with run on sentences in their books.

  Ahmad an active boy was my volunteer. He gave us instructions and we happily followed his instructions. When applying reviewing actively (a principle from FIRST framework) we came across a lot of lessons:

1.    Trust and honesty are very important in a relationship.

2.    Simple instructions are the base of any activity or event.

 My students were willing to open their grammar books and in pairs they identified run on sentences and fixed them.

Our first day was a success and every minute was full of reflections and learning.

   To Rawafid administrators, I am grateful for all the support and guidance you have showered on the staff and me.

  To SeGa (who added a lot to many experience) I would like to say: “FIRST framework is a common need for every learner. I couldn’t have facilitated these sessions without the 15 principles. Thank you SeGa for all the active deep experiences.

  Last but not least to my students I say:” Today, tomorrow and always I will always    have your side and together we will learn, make mistakes and reflect.

                                                                                              Sarah Salla

English Teacher