I was recently asked to do a demo class. I agreed to do it, but when I requested to use a class that gets little attention, it was suggested that I pick a different class. The school administrator then suggested a class for me to use. I explained that the class she picked always gets used and that I would prefer to pick a different one. She would not allow me to use my original choice, so I picked a different one, but still not the one she wanted me to use.

I thought the whole exchange was rather odd because ultimately it is my reputation and skills on the line…or so I thought. Then two days later, one of my co-teachers asked me to rate my classes from best to worst. I asked why, but she does not speak much English so there was no explanation coming. BUT she needed the ranking immediately. I got out my notebook and the class pictures. I teach a total of 18 classes each week. Each class has 30 children. So I see about 540 students once a week. I went through my notes and started ranking the classes. She was not happy with my order and started rearranging them. Then I realized she had ordered them by the homeroom teachers she is friends with – this ranking had nothing to do with student performance. It’s bonus season and the teachers bonuses are based on this.

After I did my demo class, the homeroom teacher came up and hugged me. I guess she will get some extra cash since I picked her class.

The class I picked has one of the highest English speaking levels, but they are often overlooked because some of the students are rather boisterous. The class I originally wanted to use do not speak English very well, but they try very hard. Although they don’t have the vocabulary to always express themselves, we have worked out our own shorthand for communicating. It’s too bad I could not have used them. The school however uses these demo classes as evidence to support their renewal application for their IB status and they do not want the students who cannot speak English very well on film. Does not look good for an International school to have entire classes that cannot speak any English.

Here is a link to a video of a demo class with third graders that I did for my school administrators and teachers. Please watch for the girl with the bob haircut. She always has an opinion. She is one of my favorites:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8t0vowk3w1bmtu1/Vicki%20M%20Richardson%20-%20Acting%20with%20Emotion.mp4?dl=0