Representation in classrooms

by Viyanti Sewdajal

As a pupil I did not feel included.
As a student I did not feel represented.
And now as a teacher, I still do not feel included in or with the schoolsystem.

My job as a teacher is to make every child feel included and represented.

Situation
I was introduced to a school near Rotterdam to work in year 3 as a new teacher intern. When I came there I was astonished because I saw no kids or adults with a different skin color. I was the only brown girl. It was 08.00 I walked in my new class for the first time and this is what happend:

Conversation between teacher year 3 and intern:

T: 'Goodmorning!'
I: 'Goodmorning!' *walks to her to give her a hand*
'Viyanti, the new intern.'
T: 'Oh you must be the new assistant!*Reacting very happy and smiling evil*
'Good you're here! *She looks at the windows and then I see her looking at the plants*
'As you can see, the plants barely survived. You can start off the day by giving them water
three times a week.' She turns around to walk away..
I: I was not expecting this... 'No, I am a teacher intern.' is what I said. Her smile went
away. And she looked surprised.
T: 'Oh, well you can sit in the back of the class and observe how I teach for the upcoming
weeks. This must be your first year, I understand that you will find it very hard.'
She continues explaning all the rules of the class and makes me feel very incapable of
teaching.
I: 'This is actually my third year, so I think for today it's okay to observe and maybe I can
give a few lessons the next time?'
T: 'Hmm.. yeah we will see.'

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