Destination 3: The transition phase

Mrs. Johnson in her early years
of teaching at SAC

Ms. Culmer, a new SAC high
school teacher.

            However, going back to the school you once attended, but now as teacher is not always an easy road, especially if some of your past teachers are now your colleagues. As a result of this, sometimes you may feel as if the weight and expectations of all those before you is now rested on your shoulders. And because you are a SACCER, that pressure of conforming to their standards but still being the teacher that you want to be is sometimes difficult. Thus, the transition period is different for every individual. But it is an important phase to go through as it opens your eyes to the truth that the teachers keep the machine well oiled and running.  

Mr. Todd's philosophy of education
is "Foundation is the key"

A newspaper clipping
when Mr. Todd returned
to SAC as an educator.

John Todd and Dawn Johnson had a smooth transition returning back as a teacher. However, for John now teaching grade 11 and 12 students who were taller than him when accustomed to younger junior high school kids was a change for him. Nevertheless, they had no authority over him. But he did admit that his first class of grade 10 students felt a bit strange because the kids were older and they appeared to be more intelligent.

Mrs. Johnson's philosophy of education is
to find ways to reach students who all learn in different ways

However, he quickly followed procedure, altering the system a bit and meshed right into the teaching staff, carrying the thought of making his old Math and PE teacher, Mr. Adderley, proud. Mrs. Johnson too, though she met a lot more of her past teachers there - whom she refers to by their sir names - than when Mr. Todd came in as a teacher, transitioned effortlessly into the teaching body. Despite being a bit timid when meeting her first class due to her unawareness of their expectations, she quickly realized her role as a teacher, gained more confidence and demanded the respect she deserved.  She does admit though, that the student body was shocked the first day she arrived because her twin had already been teaching there.

Mr. Todd ensures that he is doing his
job well and making Mr. Adderley proud.

So to get over that hurdle, she allowed students to call her Ms. Dawn instead of her maiden name, Ms. Woodside. Regardless, she conformed well onto the other side of the fence and following the wisdom of Mr. Adderley, she too, automatically began softball practice during that first week.

Ms. Culmer's philosophy of education
is that "every child can learn but
all children learn differently".

Contrastingly, Asheka’s transition was a little less difficult than she had expected but it was not as smooth as the others had been. As she met many of her old teachers, while some embraced her as their peer, some teachers still looked at her as a SAC student rather than a SAC teacher, who was now their colleague. However, the reaction of the students to her was much different as they looked in awe when she entered the campus. They constantly peeped in her classroom as they tried to decipher who she was, what she was teaching and what grade levels she was responsible for. Their reaction though, never posed a challenge for her as she would directly tell them, “Don’t let ya size fool ya mind!”, realizing her new role as their teacher. Despite this confidence, when she encountered her first class, like most persons when they enter a new environment, despite being on familiar grounds, she had butterflies in her stomach and evidently, was a bit nervous. However, after employing an icebreaker and playing a little game, those butterflies quickly flew away and she felt more comfortable as a new high school educator.

Mrs. Johnson is all smiles with some
of her new colleagues.

Ms. Culmer strives to be a good
role model for her anchor club
members.

With that being said, despite all initial challenges it is imperative that as a new teacher whether on familiar grounds or not you set the boundaries and control your classroom in the way you desire understanding that you now call the shots. Additionally, as Asheka said, you must be on your “p’s and q’s”. It must be recognized that you are the teacher now at SAC, not the student. Thus, you are responsible for dealing with every being that steps foot in your classroom. So every query, every complaint - though Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Todd and Ms. Culmer (except for one instance) did not have many, and every advancement has to be considered, for the betterment of the students and evidently,  to help mold the future leaders of society.