A Series: Lessons I Learned Teaching in My 20s

Sometimes all you need is someone who genuinely believes in you.

My first lecture: ever

P.S: It was covid & social distancing was a thing.

P.P.S: This photo was taken by my bestfriend who attended my first in person lecture ever, because I was so nervous.

I teach diploma-level students, and I started teaching on the cusp of restarting education post the pause that was put on education due to COVID-19.

Basically, I was teaching students who graduated from high school when exams were online and could not achieve the scores needed to enter any other university. The students who had the lowest high school GPAs.

They were my introduction to teaching, and I taught one week online and one week in person (social distancing policy—remember those days lol?).

I was under the impression, from colleagues and peers, that these students were the opposite of the crème de la crème of graduates, and I should proceed cautiously and lower my expectations. (Context: I think my enthusiasm and positivity worried them, but now they know it’s my personality. )

I refused to accept the idea of expecting less and proceeded with the opposite attitude. I introduced myself very formally and created a Harvard-setting vibe with the way I spoke to them, the way my lecture was structured, and most importantly, with what I expected from them.

I expected them to attend every lecture, on time. Anyone who came to the lecture late would be dismissed. Anyone who was just sat there (meaning not contributing to the lecture) was dismissed, and anyone who dared not take it seriously was definitely going to be dismissed.

I communicated all these expectations during add-and-drop week, and I was faced with complete, utter shock, many eye rolls, and quite a few students dropping out of the course. My favorite reaction was from the students who humored me and had a “let’s see where this goes” attitude.

Why was I like this?

Partially, because I was scared of them. I was scared they’d know my age and lack of experience, and I’d end up as one of those teachers who was always on the verge of tears, struggling to control the class with only one or two students listening out of pity.

But mostly, I was like this because I really believed in their potential. I didn’t—and still don’t—think any student is “stupid” or incapable of academically excelling. It’s not all their fault they couldn’t succeed academically; it’s the system’s fault. The academic system leaves so many people behind. It rewards book-smart and not creativity. It leaves those with learning difficulties out. It leaves those who cannot sit still in a classroom and listen to someone talking for hours (like me) out!

It rewards people who memorize. The methods of teaching are also so discriminatory and boring.
We’re sooooo stimulated—it’s so hard for us to focus, and the way traditional educators teach is physically insufferable, for me at least.

Long story short: because I set very high expectations of discipline and met them with customizations to suit my students’ learning styles and differences, I was rewarded with success stories.

I believed in them, and that’s all they needed to put in the effort. So many students who were so accustomed to Fs earned As! Students who NEVER presented or publically spoke, presented on stage in front of a crowd! Students who previously frequently failed by absence, were the first ones in the lecture and last ones out. Students who never used their email, and didn’t even know how, learned to use it to email me on weekends for advice on their projects or guidance on assignments. To be treated with the expectation that you can and are capable of meeting high expectations made a huge difference.

I have so many stories I will share later on this, but for now, I want to leave you with this profound method (tried & tested):

Make people believe they are capable of greatness, and they will deliver.