BEST WAYS FOR TEACHERS TO ENJOY HOLIDAYS

BEST WAYS FOR TEACHERS TO ENJOY HOLIDAYS

Holidays are usually a period of rest and leisure for students. However, the teachers can as well plan out ways to make a judicious use of the period. The clues below may help teachers in exploring the benefits of the holidays.

(a) Are you a Christian or Muslim? Get books and tapes that can boost your prayer life, faith and relationship with God. If possible, fast and spend good time on mounts of prayers.  

(b) Female teachers can use part of the holidays to acquire some culinary skills:

(i)    She can learn about highly nutritious plants which can be used for vegetable delicacies that are very good for health. Examples of such plants are:

Wild Lettuce, Bitter Leaf, African Spinach, Lagos Spinach, Water Leaves, Eggplant Leaves, Malabar Spinach, Scent Leaf, Yoruban bologi, Efang Leaf, Fluted Pumpkin Leaf, False Cubeb Leaf, Bush Buck, Moringa leaf, Oha Leaf, Spring Onion, etc.

(ii)  Fruits are generally better for adults than excessive carbohydrate, protein, fat and oil, etc. She may also learn the making of unchemicalised  juice(s) from such fruits and items as:

Sunflower seeds, fresh tomatoes, mangoes, butternut                 squash, chilli powder, almonds, dried apricots, pine nuts, asparagus, green olives, garlic, salmon, mushroom, hazelnuts, dried oregano, mustard greens, broccoli, canola     oil, pumpkin seeds, paprika, avocados, oysters, watermelon          seeds, peanuts, cashews, etc

(c)  Teachers can pick up their lesson notes used over the term or session to see their H.O.Ds’ evaluation of their plans and develop a mode for improvement where necessary.

(d)      They can get busy with their biological children on their academic assessment. Where the children are week as appraised by their class teacher, they should look for a way of improvement.

(e) Teachers can spend quality time to brainstorm, search and discover alternative income sources on which they can invest in order to take care of their old age. Note: such investment must not affect the teacher’s official job dedication.

(f)           Evaluate your relationship with your boss, superior, colleagues and subordinates in the course of the term or session and chart ways of improving on  better part of the relationship and correcting the flaws therealso.

(g)        Were you too far from your parents over the ended term/session? Spend this time to explain, apologise and pacify them and bridge the gap.

(h)         Acquire computer skills as these may become indispensable if you must be promoted in your teaching career.

(i)             Learn  a new indoor game. Educative games like scrabble can make your holidays fun-filled. Play it with your partner and children.

(j)             Make new friend outside teaching and see what you can learn or benefit from their professions.

(k)         Visit unusual places like eateries, barbeach etc with your family.

(l)            Research into the history of your school (ie place of primary assignment).

(m)           Research into your family history.

(n)      Learn how to play a musical instrument. If not you, maybe your children.

(o)      Learn the making of a product e.g soap, insecticide, herbicide, paints, inverter, etc.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD TEACHER

QUALITIES OF A GOOD TEACHER

An individual professional who embraces teaching as his or her job should possess certain qualities:

(i)                He must be self-confident;

(ii)             He must be emotionally stable;

(iii)           Self-control;

(iv)           Possess a very good knowledge of what he teaches;

(v)             He needs be a pleasant model to the learners;

(vi)           Compassion, forgiveness, patience and tolerance must be parts of him;

(vii)        He must be organized and resourceful;

(viii)      He must be generous and friendly;

(ix)           He should be able to motivate the learners;

(x)              Must be able to pursue clear lesson objectives;

(xi)           Must have effective discipline skills that can change learners from bad to good;

(xii)         He needs have good ability to communicate with the learners’ parents;

(xiii)      Good classroom management skills;

(xiv)       Ability to get along well with the different categories of (fast, average and slow) learners in the classroom.

The qualities are almost inexhaustible, but a teacher who is armed with all the above is a tremendous classroom achiever.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS (N.U.T.)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS (N.U.T.)

(1)  To enhance the unity among all the teachers in Nigeria.

(2) To maintain an active spirit of co-operation and comradeship between teachers and other workers

.

(3)  To raise the status of teaching profession via improved quality of education and conditions of service.

(4)  Removal of difficulties, abuse, anomalies and out-dated regulations which are inimical to the educational progress of the nation.

(5)  Establishment of welfare funds for the social and economic well-being of members of the union.

(6)  Creation of forum for the facilitation of welfare and co-operation among teachers, interest of education and teaching profession. 

HISTORY OF NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS

ORIGIN OF NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS

N.U.T. is a union formed primarily to improve the economic conditions of teachers in the country. It is also a reservoir of ideas that are useful for the educational development of the nation.

The union came into existence due to the pains of salary cuts, fear of job insecurity and other economic plagues to which teachers were vulnerable.

On the 8^th and 9^th of July, 1931, Lagos Union of Teachers (L.U.T: 1925 with Reverend Canhon J.O Lucas as president), Association of Headmasters of Ijebu Schools (A.H.I.S: 1926 presided by Reverend I.O Ransome Kuti) and some other teachers associations from Agege, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Calabar came together, held a meeting at CMS Grammar School, Lagos State and launched N.U.T with the emergence of the following executives:

·        Reverend Israel Oladotun Ransome Kuti as the National President.

·        Arch. Deacon J.O Lucas as the Vice President

·        Mr. T.K. Cameron as Honorary General Secretary

Also present at the meeting were:

a)     Reverend Emmanuel O. Alayande

b)    Reverend Seth I Kale

c)     Mr. E.N.E. Nkumo

d)    Mr. T.J.O. Sanyade

In similar vein, in 1948, Mallam Aminu Kano led some officers in Sokoto, Kano, Funtua, Minna, Jos, Bukuru, Kafanchan, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Agyaragu, Ilorin, Lokoja, Kabba, Bassa, Offa, Igbomina, Yagba, Otukpo, Jebba, etc to form a northern teachers association which was later registered on the 31^st March, 1951 as Northern State Teachers’ Union (N.S.T.U) leading to the emergence of the following executives:

·        Shetima Sheu Ajiran (President)

·        Mallam Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Vice President)

·        Mallam Aminu Kano (General Secretary).

 On 27^th of May, 1972, at NNA School, Muri road Kaduna, N.U.T. and N.S.T.U. signed an agreement which merged them under the chairmanship of the Director, Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. A. F. Ogunsola.

Overtime, N.U.T. has waxed bigger and stronger spreading all over the local government areas in Nigeria.

Above is a brief historical background of Nigeria Union of Teachers

TEACHERS' COMMENTS ON STUDENTS' REPORT SHEETS

CLASS TEACHERS COMMENTS ON STUDENTS REPORT

SHEET/CARDS

Teachers are the second parents of the students and as a result should embrace the use of words capable of prompting both the students and parents to activate the desired improvement in the learners’ behaviours and studies. The following adjectives may help in forming good teachers’ comments on students’ report cards:

(i)                 Fair

(ii)               Friendly

1. 
   

(iii)             Responsible

(iv)              Brave

(v)                Considerate

(vi)              Well-mannered

(vii)            Thoughtful

(viii)          Thorough

(ix)              Self-confident

(x)                Intelligent

(xi)              Co-operative

(xii)            Helpful

(xiii)          Honest

(xiv)          Respectful

(xv)            Efficient

(xvi)          Talented

(xvii)        Self-discipline

(xviii)      Sincere

(xix)          Hard-working

(xx)            Dependable

(xxi)          Creative

(xxii)        Generous

(xxiii)      Kind-hearted

(xxiv)       Mature

(xxv)         Curious

(xxvi)       Artistic

(xxvii)     Enthusiastic

(xxviii)   Aggressive

(xxix)       Ambitious

(xxx)         Anxious

(xxxi)       Determined

(xxxii)     Developing

(xxxiii)   Energetic

(xxxiv)   Emerging

(xxxv)     Happy

(xxxvi)   Imaginative

(xxxvii) Neat

(xxxviii)           Observant

(xxxix)   Polite

(xl)              Receptive

(xli)            Reliant

(xlii)          Resourceful

The adjectives are often very good for the formation of teachers’ comments in many circumstances. For examples, they can be used in the following ways:

[A] When a student is making progress

·         Is becoming self-reliant

·         Has gained self-confidence

·         Is learning to be co-operative when working in groups

·         Is developing better ways to interact with others

·         Has advanced at……

·         Has developed a positive attitude toward……

·         Is demonstrating a desire to…….

·         Has shown a noticeable improvement in…….

·         Is becoming enthusiastic in……

·         Is becoming a good listener

·         Has shown steady progress in…..

·         Is making a constructive use of his time

·         Is developing a consistent work habit

·         Has a good knowledge of…..

·         Zealously participates in…..

·         Comprehends quickly

·         Takes pride in his/her work

·         Follows directions well

·         Expresses ideas clearly

·         Writes interesting stories

·          Exhibits organisational ability

·         Seeks information always

·         Uses English correctly

·         Has a delightful sense of humour

·         Displays leadership potentials

[B] When a student needs help to overcome challenges

v  Needs help to boost academic skills at……

v  Shows a need for consistent motivation in…….

v  Could benefit from…..

v  Needs to be encouraged to comply with school rules and regulations

v  Demonstrates a need for improved social interaction skills such as…..

v  Needs to be encouraged to listen and pay attention in classroom

v  Needs help to understand instructions

v  Requires repetition to retain information

v  Shows the need for encouragement to work on his/her own

v  Exhibits the need for direct supervision to complete work

v  Needs encouragement to work more slowly and accurately

v  Would benefit from learning self-control skills

v  Needs encouragement to accept responsibility for his/her errors and/or misbehaviours

v  Needs to improve classroom attitude

v  Gets upset easily

v  Cries easily

v  Often seems tired at school

[C] Attitudes and Personality

§  Has a good attitude toward school

§  Is a zealous learner who seems to enjoy school

§  Strives to his/her full potentials

§  Shows initiatives and thinks things through for himself

§  Has a pleasant disposition

§  Is a pleasure to have him/her around

§  Has a pleasant personality

§  Has excellent manners

§  Volunteers often

§  Takes turns talking

§  Speaks with confidence

[D] Participation and Behaviours

o   Is enthusiastic about participating

o   Takes an active role in discussion

o   Needs to actively participate in classroom discussion

o   Listens attentively to the responses of others

o   Caring, kind and eager to please

o   Needs to listen to directions

o   Participates well in classroom

o   Is willing to take part in all classroom activities

o   Makes fine contributions

o   Responds well

[E] Time management and work habits

ü  Is well prepared for class each day

ü  Rushes through work

ü  Does not work at an appropriate pace

ü  Never completes assignment within allotted time

ü  Comprehends well but needs to work with greater speed

ü  Works well with little supervision

ü  Is a self-motivated student

ü  Avoids unnecessary errors by paying attention to details

ü  Uses class time wisely

[F] General learning and Social skills

Ø  Needs to be accepting and willing to make new friends

Ø  Responds well to positive praises and clear expectations

Ø  Is learning to be careful, co-operative and fair

Ø  Works well in groups, planning and carrying out activities

Ø  Works democratically with peers

Ø  Makes little effort when not under direct supervision

Ø  Needs a lot of practice to retain information given

With the above details, providing teachers’ comments on students’ report cards is terrifically simplified.