I just had to help proctor a quiz. Proctor meaning keep sixty apathetic and unprepared African college students from cheating. Turns out, it’s impossible. I stood in front of the class and repeated myself over and over again telling students to stop speaking, to stop turning around, to stop showing their quiz to their neighbor. Shortly after each attempt to fulfill my duties, I was laughed at and mocked. Not one ounce of joy was felt in this experience and I hope I never have to do it again. Of course, being the overly sensitive pansy that I am, I cried afterwards in front of several teachers. Unfortunately, emotions and tears have a way of surfacing at very inconvenient times, and mostly when you’re trying really hard to keep them under wraps. Sigh... Deep down, I understand that kids are kids, and of course they’re going to try to cheat and get away with stuff they’re not supposed to and act ridiculously at times. I’ve dealt with that a million times in my own classrooms. But what really gets me is the disrespect and snickering at my expense. Here I thought I was coming to Africa to teach eager and respectful learners. Apparently not. I don’t need these kids to repeat what I say with some high-pitched squeaky voice to make fun of me. You all sound weird to me too! I know there are some kids here that care. I just have to keep reminding myself of that and make a point to seek them out and disregard the apathy.
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