One of the topics discussed during our first lecture really resonated with me. John shared a story about his grade eight French teacher, describing her as strict and demanding. At the time, he didn't fully appreciate her approach, but by grade nine, he realized he was ahead of his classmates in French and came to value the effort she put into teaching. This story immediately reminded me of my own experience with my grade six and seven teacher, Mr. Fox.
Mr. Fox was strict; we had to meticulously record our daily activities in our agendas, spend half an hour a day reading, complete our homework, and maintain proper behaviour at all times. Admittedly, there was a healthy dose of fear as none of us wanted to face the consequences of missteps. But looking back, I realize that his strictness came with purpose, and the lessons I learned under his guidance continue to shape who I am today.
What made Mr. Fox stand out was not just his discipline but also his forward-thinking approach to technology. Long before any of the other teachers had embraced computers in the classroom, he taught us how to track and improve our typing speed, make simple animations, and use Microsoft Office efficiently. He even introduced us to the power of iMovie, showing us how he created and edited the "month in review" videos that he would showcase during school assemblies. His classroom featured a clunky old iMac (which we fondly nicknamed the "Big Mac"), and he would patiently guide us through its quirks and functions. To project his voice while teaching, he used what I like to call a popstar microphone, demonstrating a level of dedication and innovation that I had never seen in a teacher before. Through him, I learned far more about technology than I could have imagined at that age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSCqETi17D0
Equally impressive was his commitment to discipline and character building. Mr. Fox emphasized the importance of respect, honesty, and sharing, ensuring that we understood the value of treating others well and taking responsibility for our actions. If we did not complete our homework or did not return something we borrowed, we would have to answer to him. Despite his strictness, every student wanted to be in his class as they knew the value it possessed. His high standards challenged us, but they also nurtured growth and self-discipline.
Reflecting on it now, I realize that having a teacher like Mr. Fox was a privilege. While his classroom rules may have felt intimidating at the time, I would embrace the experience again without hesitation. The values he instilled, such as discipline, respect, curiosity, and a love for technology, have left an indelible mark on me. Mr. Fox was, without question, my favourite teacher, and the lessons he imparted continue to influence the person I am today.
LamisE@OTU
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