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COSTLY MISTAKES EDUCATORS MAKE

  1. Waiting to go somewhere where the grass is greener: Truth be told, a lot of teachers are in the teaching space because “Nigeria happened to them” which is the main reason why we have a lot of tutors who at the most hate their jobs and at the least are going through the motions so they can have credit alerts at the end of the month. From my experience I have come to the realization that the grass is greener only where it is watered, so whether or not you are in this practice because you love it or you just had no choice, the fact is, you’re here now and the good news is that there are principles that would stand you out if you apply them irrespective of the reason why you’re in the space. I understand that this is not where you want to be but what if you’re there at this point in time for a reason? would you rather just be unhappy at the moment whilst you wait for what you want to come? If I were you, I would find a way to have fun with what I’m currently doing, outdo myself, and impress my colleague and Bosses so that it will be a reminder that I am a boss lady and trailblazer irrespective of where I find myself!

Agnes Onyekwere and her pupils (David, Azeezat, Joshua) at  the food seller's shop 

2.  Prejudices: This is a huge topic on its own and I have seen this play out time and time again. Why on earth will a teacher assume a child is dumb just because his former teacher said he is no good academically? Some teachers have said that to me and when I follow up with these pupils I find out that they are great students who were most likely going through some rough patches at the time. Experience has thought me that no child is dumb, some kids just need more time and attention than others. At this point, if any teacher tells me, “Oh this child is unintelligent”, I work double hard to make sure I prove that teacher wrong, in fact, I would immediately feel like I have been given a challenge, and I love challenges! We as educators should see this as an avenue to make real transformation happen, but what I see is that most tutors just assume that these kids are doomed for failure and there’s then no need to bother, no, you have to bother, that’s why you’re there - to bother!

 

 

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