TEACHING PERSONA

MY TEACHING PERSONA

My name is Kgaogelo Rikhotso, a 23-year-old Life Sciences and Computer Application and Technology prospective teacher, I am more of a friend to my learners or a big brother since well I look their age. I believe this trait works well for me because most learners are well relating with me and are not intimidated to ask me any questions either personal or academically and they are able to come to me when they are facing challenges with the course material. Most of the time, classroom discussion is the major form of instruction that I use in teaching my learners which opens room for all the learners to engage. My learners think I am very cool because they are open to me and are not afraid to ask me questions during their lessons unlike in their other classes. When teaching, I normally write on the board and give learners a chance to take notes, I also give my learners activities after every unit. When teaching, I require my learners full attention and I also cannot tolerate learners who talk while I teach, to prevent this, I have a set of rules which I make the learners aware of and the rules have consequences if not followed, this also gives me an opportunity to spend less time on reprimanding my learners instead of teaching and learning take place. I do prefer other means of learning and do not sorely depend on the textbook for delivering lesson because I feel like they limit the learners capability to explore other ways of learning but I use them mostly for activities since they are reliable and easier to access for all my leaners.

I also believe that all learners come in the classroom with different sets of value and beliefs and instead of judging them, you need to teach them how to embrace this, I am also a firm believer that teaching is more than just a profession but requires someone that is more open minded and knows how to deal with learners and I am also not afraid of making mistakes and to be corrected, a teacher is not always right.

I am more interested in helping to educate learners from more disadvantaged backgrounds because I feel I can relate well with them, whatever they are going through, I have probably went twice through that so this gives me an understanding of my learners behavior and how I can deal with such behaviors because of the background knowledge I possess of this.