Giving Opportunities for Potential Talents

I noticed something interesting when i went for science class observations. A particular student is always tasked to announce to the class of the homework to be completed for the day and any special reminders for the following day. This announcement will be made at the end of the last period, before they are released from school.

That boy is actually very active and outspoken in class. Sometimes he is "too participative" in class. However, i think that that boy actually has a talent of public speaking. I realized that he is brave and daring to speak in front of people. He may not have the best speech delivery yet but he has something which the majority of students are missing. And that is the bravery and confidence to present and to speak out loud. I personally think that he has potential talent in performing arts. With proper training, encouragement, challenge and opportunity, the non-academic side of him is something we could look forward to. And i'm glad that his teacher gives him the right opportunity and platform to improve his public speaking, and channel his energy and potential talent for the right use and even for the benefit of the class.

It is only a simple job tasked to him. The whole announcement probably takes no longer than 3 minutes everyday. Yet it struck me so much. Why? Simply because i had walked through a similar journey.

My seat was always cold during my sec 2 chinese lessons. It was because i was standing most of the time! Outspoken! Too much "small group communication" during the lessons. Oh well. Yet my teacher was kind enough to select me to represent the class for Group Story Telling competition! And by the way, my group won. haha. She could have easily chosen her model students in class. But she channeled my "participative" energy for the right purpose. In sec 3, my English teacher realized that i liked presentation and favored role-play segments in my project presentation. So she included me in Inter-house Drama competition and even recommended me to represent the school for debates. Up to this day, i am still very thankful of what these teachers had done for me, and thankful that how they saw and "activated" the potential side of me for the right purpose. This is one of the main reason why i join teaching. I aspire to do the same like them. Thus i am very encouraged to see my science CT giving that student such opportunity. Be it unintentionally or intentionally, she has actually developing the non-academic side of that student. Consider it holistic education? Readers, you decide.