Bias

After doing some reflection, I realised how I've become biased against certain classes and certain students and am in danger of becoming the idealist-turned-cynical teacher.

When Class A misbehaves slightly, eg: chit-chattering in class, it seems perfectly fine to me as the commotion will die down and I don't get very bothered. However, if Class B does the same thing, I would flare up and start reprimanding them. Class B is academically weaker than Class A. I'm biased.

At the start of the year, I was able to abandon any stereotypes of students based on their academic streams. I could see the potential and equally good nature in everyone. But my callousness has now caused me to revert back to believing in stereotypes, that certain stream students will always be misbehaving and not do well. :(

In my school, students who join Lion Dance are people who are in the academically weaker streams. They are the ones who are 'trouble-makers' and 'naughty students'. But today, I saw another side of them. I saw how they were so willingly and happy to put in their heart and commitment to putting up a good performance. It is a pity that society puts down such talented people just because they're not well-enough performers in the academic area.

This holiday season, I want to get rid of my biased way of teaching and start rediscovering every student as a beautiful human being.

By the way, good news guys! Rekha is TRULY going to become my colleague from next week onwards. Yippee!