Bridging the Gaps

Graduate training program participants!

I had the opportunity to take part in a graduate training program for recent graduates from University here in Nigeria.  The program is a three-month program sponsored by a school in Lagos, Nigeria.  They had over 5,000 applicants and 30 were accepted into the program.  The idea is that they will train these teachers in “modern” teaching methods and the sponsoring school will then hire the best teachers.  The remaining students will then get recommended to other schools around Nigeria.   Not only is the program providing quality teachers for their own school, but they are also developing teachers to teach all throughout Nigeria. 

One of the struggles for me teaching in Sierra Leone was to bridge the gap between modern teaching methods and the traditional teaching methods.   Traditional teaching methods simply consist of the teacher writing on the blackboard, and the students copying and memorizing.  We struggled together to figure out how we are to possibly integrate these 21^st century teaching methods into a classroom that is used to traditional methods.  What can makes these new teaching methods successful is by having a good classroom management system implemented in your class. 

Creating a visual representation of the 10 best qualities
that the best teachers have 

We struggled through the concepts of modern classroom management compared to the common corporal punishment that is seen in a West African context.  Many students wondered if modern methods of classroom management are as effective.  For myself, the difficulty with implementing classroom management strategies is partly how the parents also discipline their students at home.  I had some students whose parents did not use corporal punishment on them but used other forms of discipline.  For these students, they responded well to classroom management.  But I had a couple students whose parents only used corporal punishment at home if they did something wrong.  Therefore, they had a difficult time following other classroom management techniques. 

It was also encouraging was to listen the stories that I heard from some of the students.  I spoke with several students who did not study education in university.  They knew education was their passion but their parents did not let them study education because it is not a “money making” career.  If parents are going to invest in higher education, they want their children to become doctors, engineers, business owners, etc. 

There were many lively discussions and conversations

However, teaching is the gift that God has given them.  It was so encouraging to see their passion for education and to bring about change here in Nigeria.  These teachers are here not because they can make money, but because this is where their heart is.  They have the gift of teaching.  It was encouraging to be around teachers who are passionate and eager to learn how to be the best teacher they can be. 

Another interesting comment that was brought up by a student was the fact that many male teachers have a difficult time finding a wife, because women go for men in the oil and gas industry.  Many women go where the money is.  Why does money drive or motivate so many of our actions?  It is so sad that what we choose to do with our lives is heavily dependent on money.  What is money in the end?  We all will pass away.  It’s not like we can take our money to heaven.  Our riches here on earth are only temporary?  So why bother?  Why do so many of us choose our careers based on money, not because it is what we love to do, because we are passionate about it?  

Brainstorming lesson plan ideas using 21st Century skills

This graduate training program encouraged me to keep on bridging the gap between traditional methods and modern teaching methods.  It also reminded me of the essential foundations to building a successful classroom.  It also encouraged me to see other teachers struggling through the same things I have struggled with while teaching in Sierra Leone.  I learned so much from them.