Today, I got an unusual experience. I went to school, to be a teacher! Can you imagine a 14-year-old boy teaching a class, in which the students are usually older? It’s all because of this …
Last Saturday, Ms. Ng sent me an email that she was sick, and she couldn’t teach the lessons on Monday. She asked me if I could give her a hand and take over the lesson. I was shocked when I heard this since I am not the brightest student. Nor am I the cleverest student. Why didn’t she ask others like Heidi or Bryan or Dave? Despite all my question marks in my brain, I accepted the invitation.
On Sunday, I carefully read all the handouts Ms. Ng sent me. If the lessons went on track, I had to cover phonetics, the newspaper and TBV Unit 17. So, to be a responsible “teacher”, I tried my very best to remember all the phonetic symbols and to use them correctly. Then, I thought of some questions for the students to discuss the newspaper issue “Lovers Dating on Valentine’s Day”. After that, I even made a PowerPoint for TBV Unit 17 and collected information about soccer matches. After I finished all the preparation, it was already 9:00 p.m. I had been doing the work for 6 hours! I wondered how Ms. Ng does it for many more classes. Maybe she forces her relatives and friends to do everything. May it be so?
I took a deep breath and started the lesson. Everyone was shocked when they saw me becoming a teacher! With all the eyes on me, I felt extreme pressure and a bit dizzy. I spoke, but my voice was unsteady and not under control. I saw many students laughing. I quickly gave out a worksheet for them to complete, so that I got time to relax and try again. I saw Ms. Ng smile. Is that a trap? Or is it a trick?
After all students completed their worksheets, I told them to take out their newspaper article. “I didn’t bring it,” Katherine shouted. Her voice was thundering, as if I had a hearing problem. I didn’t want any one to get depressed in my lesson so I didn’t punish her. As I was briefly introducing the article, Mabel the trouble yelled, ‘Bounty and “someone” are in love!’ The whole class laughed non-stop for 2 minutes. I was furious since I wasn’t in love with anyone but that idiotic student said that! I immediately punished her. I ordered her to say sorry to me and to stand for 15 minutes. But Mabel said, ‘You are only a student acting to “be” a teacher. Whether I am naughty isn’t your business! Now, continue with your stupid lesson.’
‘Stop it!’ Someone shouted! Ms. Ng stood up and glared at Mabel! “I appointed Bounty and then he is your teacher now! The most important attitude for students is to respect your teacher! Come to see me after the lesson! I will teach you a lesson!’ Ms. Ng’s eyes were burning fiercely with fire and her words were as sharp as a sword and knife. She was my hero!
Mabel the trouble was “gone”. So, the lesson became as quiet as the examination room. Only I kept talking and talking till ‘Ling…Ling…Ling…’
It was a really unusual experience. Before, I thought being a teacher wasn’t every difficult but today’s experience changed me. Also, I feel pity for Ms. Ng. How can she still be calm when trouble arises?