My School and Its Teaching Environment Essay

In my school, the teaching environment is very good for teachers and especially for the students. When you see the school, at first you will say â€Å" wow! Excellent facilities, playground for teachers and students, cozy cafeteria and a library with good ambience where you can study comfortably, all classrooms are air-conditioned, enough computers for students with the ratio of 1:1 with internet connection. Each student has internet password as well as the teachers and staffs. The school used Fiber Optic line for internet (this is part of my work where I maintain the internet connection for the whole school). In my first 2 years in this school, I was assigned in Middle School but this year I was transferred to Elementary Department as Head of Information Technology including repair and maintenance with 24 hours a week teaching load for students from grade 1 to 5 (too many works hehehe) forgot to mention at the same time I am one of the administrators for TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) exam. Every year, especially year-end everybody is waiting for contract renewal, thinking who will be renewed and who will say goodbye. If someone will leave then we are thinking who will replace them. Why? Simply because we are waiting for another teacher who will introduce another technique in teaching or I simply put it this way for new teachers: If you can’t beat us, then join us†¦ hahahahaha! The Culture of this country (Thailand) is almost the same in our country (Philippines) when it comes to being hospitable and respecting other people. They have great respect with each other especially with the old ones. In my school, students develop respect and tolerance for all others, regardless of religion, race, or class. One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgement, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved. Generally, the salutation involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands, and it also may include a slight bow of the head. This salutation is often accompanied by a serene smile symbolizing a welcoming disposition and a pleasant attitude. Thailand is often referred to as the â€Å"Land of Smiles† in tourist brochures. There are a number of Thai customs relating to the special status of monks in Thai society. Due to religious discipline, Thai monks are forbidden physical contact with women. Women are therefore expected to make way for passing monks to ensure that accidental contact does not occur. A notable social norm holds that touching someone on the head may be considered rude. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. In every activity we do whether it is curricular or extra-curricular, we always align it to their culture if this is acceptable or not. But since we do have native speakers, sometimes they don’t even care about the culture. They always say that â€Å"Everybody knows what Thailand is† (for them most of the Thai women are slut, people have already changed) but somehow these native speakers must learn how to adapt into this environment. Yes, maybe that is their perception in this county and they forgot that they are Teachers. Teachers should give moral values and educate them in proper way. One of the problems of this school and even this country, discrimination between Asian and English Native speakers are very obvious. Sometimes they just use these native speakers as front of the school but most of the teachers are Asian who are more dedicated to work and yet under paid compared to these native teachers. Our administrators are composed of Executive Director (owner), Associate Executive Director, Business Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Student Support Coordinator, Principals and PTA. PTA in this school is very active in every. If we have activities either curricular or extra-curricular, the parents are always there to support us. Just to name a few for extra-curricular activities: 1. Students vs Teachers and Staff football match 2. Teachers and Staff vs Parents football match 3. Teachers, Staff and Parents vs Military Personnel Football Match 4. Teachers and Staff Football Match These are some interesting extra-curricular activities that everybody loves to see. Because even the owner of the school also plays in this event. We do have some curricular activities such as: 1. Debate in English(I’m the coach) 2. Debate in Thai 3. Public Speaking 4. Spelling 5. Story Telling 6. Quiz bee