rodgers white
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2016
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- China
- Current Location
- China
***********************************
In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get—a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area：western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen—teaching English.
School started, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth grade class who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room.
In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. But in fact, humans particularly teenagers rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise.
My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn’t happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of room, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Versions of unemployment marched before my eyes.
The task is to do a continuation writing. The requirements are as follows:
I. The word limit is around 150, but no less than 130.
II. At least six underlined keywords or expressions must be used and highlighted as well in your continuation writing.
III.Your continuation writing is divided into two paragraphs whose first sentences have already been given.
Paragraph 1:
After class, I took a deep breath and walked into his office. ___________________________
Paragraph 2:
Fifteen years later, I still drive that winding road to the same school. ____________
************************************
*******************************************
After class, I took a deep breath and walked into his office. I said nothing, just thinking that I would be fired. To my great surprise, my boss didn’t glare at me with burning eyes. Instead, he patiently named my problems that as teacher I shouldn’t have ignored the bad behavior of my students. We discussed how I could deal with the situation I met. Finally, I was encouraged and full of confidence when leaving the office.
Fifteen years later, I still drive that winding road to the same school. My boss and I always sit together, talking about the new students and their problems. In fact, he becomes a teacher of me by teaching me the truth of education—“The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.” Thanks to the help I received from him that first year, I have grown as a successful educator as he is now.
*******************************************
The above is my own version. It serves as a possible version for my students after I finish checking their work. Please check it and help polish it. Many thanks in advance.
In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get—a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area：western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen—teaching English.
School started, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth grade class who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room.
In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. But in fact, humans particularly teenagers rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise.
My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn’t happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of room, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Versions of unemployment marched before my eyes.
The task is to do a continuation writing. The requirements are as follows:
I. The word limit is around 150, but no less than 130.
II. At least six underlined keywords or expressions must be used and highlighted as well in your continuation writing.
III.Your continuation writing is divided into two paragraphs whose first sentences have already been given.
Paragraph 1:
After class, I took a deep breath and walked into his office. ___________________________
Paragraph 2:
Fifteen years later, I still drive that winding road to the same school. ____________
************************************
*******************************************
After class, I took a deep breath and walked into his office. I said nothing, just thinking that I would be fired. To my great surprise, my boss didn’t glare at me with burning eyes. Instead, he patiently named my problems that as teacher I shouldn’t have ignored the bad behavior of my students. We discussed how I could deal with the situation I met. Finally, I was encouraged and full of confidence when leaving the office.
Fifteen years later, I still drive that winding road to the same school. My boss and I always sit together, talking about the new students and their problems. In fact, he becomes a teacher of me by teaching me the truth of education—“The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.” Thanks to the help I received from him that first year, I have grown as a successful educator as he is now.
*******************************************
The above is my own version. It serves as a possible version for my students after I finish checking their work. Please check it and help polish it. Many thanks in advance.
Last edited:
