‘Read all about it’

This is another piece about my ‘Life on campus’.

There are some moments in life that you do not want to remember, but you know they will stay with you anyway.

In one of my first lessons as a teacher, I was allocated the ‘graveyard time’ of 4pm to 6pm on Mondays. The students had been attending classes for the better part of the day. They always arrived in my class exhausted and I was the only one stopping them from going home. Imagine trying to teach Auditing to a class of tired and exhausted final year students.

Energised teacher vs Tired students

I was full of energy and enthusiasm, but my students just wanted to get home. We had a full year ahead of us. I tried everything including attempting to change the time of the lectures but to no avail. Nothing worked, I even thought I might tap dance or rap the lecture. I didn’t have the guts to carry them through.

This was 2013 and in a moment of ‘ inspiration or madness’ I remembered the song by Emily Sande. Yes, the one she sang at the 2012 Olympics.

Sing man, sing

That was the message I wanted the students to get. They  cannot afford to sit in silence, so how do I powerfully get the message across to them.

Then I had the idea to perform like Pavarotti. Yes, I nearly did, but decided it was better to read the lyrics out. Phew!!! For the rest of that year, we had a great time, I supposed the students were worried I might do something even crazier.

The message got through

For the rest of the year, the students were much more engaging, The message was clear, engage in my class or get your your ears blown out.

You may be interested in https://www.enterprisedoctors.com/dance-like-no-one-is-watching/

Here is part of that song.

You’ve got the words to change a nation

But you’re biting your tongue

You’ve spent a life time stuck in silence

Afraid you’ll say something wrong

If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?

So come on, come on

Come on, come on

You’ve got a heart as loud as lions

So why let your voice be tamed?

Maybe we’re a little different

There’s no need to be ashamed

You’ve got the light to fight the shadows

So stop hiding it away

Come on, come on

The song goes on etc

So have your teacher done anything crazy to get you going in class?

Here is the song