I have been an educator in the primary school system for close to twenty-five years. For some strange reason, most of the classes I have been assigned to during this period consisted of students who were low achieving and had very serious reading difficulties. Not being specifically trained to deal with reading problems, I tried whatever strategies I knew; was told or read about. Some worked, some did not; it was more like hit and miss in some cases.
After completing my Bachelor’s Degree in English, I waited around for a Master’s Degree that I was truly interested in. I knew that whatever area I specialised in at this point, I would remain in for the rest of my career. However, I was not sufficiently interested in anything that UWI was offering; I found the choices rather limited. I was also not motivated to go to another institution. Whilst I was waiting, I branched out into Public Relations and completed a Diploma. It was unlike anything I had ever studied. I managed to wake up some sections of the grey matter that I had not been using previously. Nevertheless, when I saw the advertisement for the Master of Education in Reading, I immediately knew it was what I wanted to do. It was like something just clicked and fell into place. I knew that this program would equip me to better handle my students’ problems. It offers scope for a variety of reading strategies and motivation techniques. By motivating a child to learn a big part of the problem is solved. I saw this amply illustrated when teaching Adult Literacy classes for MOE and Career Enhancement classes for YTEPP. These adult students knew what they wanted and went about the business of learning without distractions. It was such a pleasure to teach them. Hopefully, I can bring this joy of learning to my primary school students.
4 comments:
Seeing this Masters Reading programme advertise on the notice board on day at school brought such joy to my life.I have waited so long for this that I felt as if I have finally found what I was looking for many years ago. I taught reading to my class and the students were learning but I always felt there was something more I could do. With this programme and the new strategies I am just very excited and overjoyed.
Hi Jody, your quest to bring the joy of learning to children is indeed a noble and commendable one. I too share your enthusiasm and your goodwill towards our young and impressionale nationals.
It is my hope that our value as Reading Specialist is not minimized and appropriate structures are put in place to facilitate our quest to build the reading capacity of our human resource.
Vicky
Like you Jody I taught in the primary school for a number of years and the calibre of students that I was given from year to year was the same-remedial. I was not familiar with the term like I am now but I knew that the students needed help, just like those in the secondary school do. It was a good move by the MOE to offer this Med to train and equip us to turn things around.As for this ICT course that we are doing, I have learned a lot and look forward to practising some more before I can even think of using it with students.I think that it is needed though. When I sit at a computer in our school library and peer into what students are doing(and I do sneak glances) they are comfortably 'navigating their stories'.I sometimes ask for help if I am stuck on something.Indeed the new literacies are needed in the classroom because the computer technology is what they are interested in. We have to use it in order to be relevant to them.
Hi, Jody
Although, I am a secondary school teacher, I share similar sentiments with you. I too, often get most of my classes comprising low-achieving students who on many occasions are reluctant to do any work at all. Even though, I gained some practical skills when I pursued my Diploma in Education, at times I still felt demotivated and ill-equipped because my students were not too enthusiastic about learning the topic. So far, in undertaking this program has been challenging but fruitful. I know that at the end of this journey you will agree that the decision you made has been rewarding.Keep on persevering.
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