Raphita Lestari (2011120058)

Be Inspiration and be Lovable Teacher by Be Effective

          There is no accidentally thing happens in this world, includes everyone’s life calling. That is also happens in my life, called as an educator (candidate). At first, it was something that is unpleasant me since I never want to be a teacher, because what I thought before become an educator is equally become a teacher. After I join in the first meeting of Principles of Effective Teaching and Assessment (PETA) subject, I understand something that is help me to reset my paradigm or my mind set about what teaching actually is. It was great and interesting. Through this first session, I learnt that it is an honorable thing if someone is called as an educator-as a teacher. The discussion and also sharing that we did in the classroom tells me implicitly that I (and you) could be an inspiration for others through teaching. The lecturer facilitated and encouraged the students to think about their teachers’ figures whose they like most and save “memories” in their memory (I don’t like to say that they really hate). Some of them said inspiring and uninspiring teachers because of what the teachers have done in the past, but for me they were all inspired me whether they taught good or not (I’m not lying here) J. At the end of the session, the students were asked to conclude what should be an inspiring teacher does, the answer is being an effective- effective teacher by doing effective teaching. That is what I get and I understand.

            For further, I try to think more what is an inspiring-an effective teacher and effective teaching is like. I make an analogy for that, being an effective teacher is like a great musician or composer. I bet that everyone likes music. Music can influence someone’s soul or feeling; it also can bring certain mood like bring motivation for someone and even it can give inspiration. A great music often (or even always) composed by great musician. To become a great musician with great song(s) or instruments, the musician should know, understand, and able to do special things that others cannot do. First, the musician should know what kind of music that she or he able and loves to play, also what she or he expected from the music or songs that they create-the goals why she or he play that music and create the songs.  After that, she or he will find what the right genre that she or he is supposed to be adhered. Then, they start to compose and create their awesome songs. Finally, people can appreciate and enjoy it. Remember that people who enjoy certain genre of music come from different backgrounds like economic, social, culture, or even political views.

            From that analogy, I view that an effective teacher is like a great musician or composer. An inspiring and lovable teacher is the one who can create something great through the teaching. Being an inspiring and lovable teacher is being effective. Same like the great composer, an effective teacher should know what teaching really is and what field(s) that they are expert and loves much to teach. After that, she or he will create their own unique and great strategy to teach – how to manage class, to assess the students, until how to build good relationships with the students. The teacher will pay attention to his or her appearance, performance, and the attitude towards the students and their teaching itself. Finally, the students (who come from different background economic status, culture, and social) will be encourage and motivate to learn, to do their best in their academic or even nonacademic performances. Like a great music or songs that the composers compose, the knowledge that the teacher transfers also will be like or loved by the students. They will enjoy doing learning and teaching process in the classroom same like people who enjoy listen to a live music concert or listen to a tape, radio, or video play.   

            So, from this session I found that called as an educator-teacher is one of life satisfying ahead. But I think there is a choice whether I want to be an inspiring and lovable teacher or not become a teacher at all. If I want to be the inspiring one, I should try my best start from now as my preparation process to become the effective teacher by having effective teaching. What I still don’t understand and want to understand is understand why it should be and how to become effective.

            What I expect to know to next sessions is I want to know the main characteristics of the effective teacher and effective teaching, what are the challenging things being the effective teacher and also the teaching, what and how to relate between the teacher, the teaching, and the students, and many more. Hopefully will not miss one of the sessions and I can grab, understand, and apply what I (will) get in every sessions of this subject. Trying to love the subject itself, the lecturers, and the learning process is the thing that I should highlight. The most important thing to do is keep and always pray and having faith that I can do it all constantly (commit).

            That is all that I can write. Thank you for reading and give comment on this reflection. Hope you find and understand something and share this to others who need and has the same desires like me (I mean us). 

RAPHITA LESTARI (2011120058)