I underwent my teacher's training in the 'Regional College of Education' (now called Regional Institute of Education) and I just did not know how those ten months flew. I enjoyed every moment of the college days.There was a lot of freedom, but no one misused it, there were strict teachers but we were not scared of them, we made blunders and no one laughed at us, the teachers glared at us and we grinned, and occasionally they shouted at us, and you know, we learned our lesson.
The practical training for us was in Udupi, a place in Dakshina Kannada district, known for the Krishna temple and AshTa maTha's -and we stayed in the place for a month serving in a school like full fledged teachers.
One of the first few lessons in practice teaching was - "If you are demonstrating an experiment,try it once before you enter the class. Don't make a fool of yourself in front of the students."
Now I was teaching class 9, the preparation and properties of ammonia. The process was simple, 'easy', I thought.There was this spectacular 'fountain experiment' where a red litmus solution would rise like a jet into the upturned flask,and turn blue as it fell into the flask. Ignoring the advice of the teacher, I collected all the apparatus and chemicals and walked into the class like a soldier, sure of victory.I set up the apparatus as I explained and started the preparation......and ..............nothing happened! The gas did not form, did not collect, did not rise nor turn the red liquid blue. I could feel the blood draining my face and the knees turning into jelly, because I saw from the corner of my eye my Chemistry professor Mr.T frowning and pursing his lips. I collected my wits and said the chemicals were old! and saw the the professor's face turning red!!!!!!!!!!!
That evening in the review class I dared not raise my head and look at him . Finally when my name was called, I looked at him with a silly smile and he started......"Do you know what you have done? How many times have I told you to conduct the experiment before entering the class? Did you do it? No!...Not only did you disappoint the children, but you also put wrong concepts into their head! Old chemicals I suppose! !@#$%^&*.....Now , this is what you are going to do. Tomorrow, go to the class with preparation, apologize to the class, tell them what went wrong and demonstrate the experiment once again! old chemicals! Blah!" he stormed out mumbling about our carelessness, callousness and what not! I looked at all my friends and grinned... We all had learned a lesson!
