Education – Page 10 – Katherine Reilly

July 29, 2024

Teacher, I Soaked My New Textbook!

by Katherine Reilly – originally published by ELT NEWS

It’s 6.00 am and I find myself twirling in bed; my sheets wrapped around my body tighter than a tortilla. Although I hit the hay early, I feel as though I hadn’t slept a wink. Sluggishly, I get out of bed and commence preparations for the long day ahead. My teacher’s bag is equipped with all the basic necessities for teaching juveniles. No, I’m not referring to markers or books; rather tissues, adhesive bandages, cleansing gels, you know… the works! A bit of makeup, some finishing touches to my hair and off I go!

Upon arrival at the school premises, I take a moment to reflect upon last year’s predicaments before exiting my car. It doesn’t take a prophet to tell me this year will be no different than the ones before. I unlock my door and before I even have the chance to exit, I am greeted by familiar faces that have physically matured over the summer months. Some are most welcome as they wholeheartedly embrace me. Others strike a sense of dread for what is to come. The pranksters and smart-alecks, or the socially obnoxious and loud.

“Good morning, Ms. Katherine!” yelled one of my students directly into my ear drum.

“Good morning, Johnathon. I haven’t had coffee yet,” I reply, carrying a year’s worth of textbooks in my arms.

“You’ll need it!” shouted my student as he and his classmates trampled away giggling.

May 21, 2024May 21, 2024

Perpetual Learning: Drawing the Line Between Reverence and Relevance

by Katherine Reilly, Author | Teacher Trainer

originally published in ELT NEWS printed magazine.

Educators of times past gone have always been depicted amidst the surroundings of literary works. Their receding foreheads and hunched backs are illustrated prominently as they are presented in such a fashion as to infer that their everyday occurrences strictly revolve around the never-ending accumulation of knowledge. Their lengthy beards and withered spectacles, a symbol of dedication to the sciences, literature and arts, have inspired younger scholars of our days to follow suit. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI) along with other modern technological advancements, which expose humanity’s potential to levels of evolution never before conceived. Research requires mere minutes, if not seconds to complete. Whereas, educators of old would dedicate hours or even days to simply gain access to materials and bibliography usually restricted to an entitled few. Ah yes, we now live in the Golden Age of Information and Innovation. ELT has thrived in this context as the blooming question arises, ‘Do we need to uphold or even surpass our personal limitations as educators?’

April 15, 2024April 15, 2024

Woe is me! I Chose the Wrong Coursebook!

by Katherine Reilly, originally published by ELT NEWS printed magazine

Amongst an educator’s greatest frustrations is none other than our misplaced faith in the educational materials we have before us. The potential of reciprocating our students’ desire and capacity to learn can assuredly be achieved via the textbooks we prompt them to purchase. But what of a possible blunder on our part? Could we have actually chosen the wrong coursebook? One which will be indefinitely utilized in the classroom for the foreseeable future? Although the responsibility may not lay solely upon or shoulders; be it last minute additions of newcomers to the existing structure, the fluctuation of comprehension and command of the language, the indifference on our students’ behalf towards the book’s main characters and story, we are called upon to shed light on this predicament and alleviate everyone’s frustrations – with the ultimate goal of getting through the school year intact!