7 Types Of Supervision Teachers We All Had For Free Classes

The ongoing ASTI strikes have got us strangely nostalgic over our school days, looking back we fondly recall something that you'll never have again outside of secondary school; the free class.

Free classes were a blessing for any Irish students, they were a wondrous surprise, basically mini-holidays in the middle of the day. You could happily chat away, draw, throw balls of paper, and generally be a teenage gobshite.

The free class would always be presided over by a teacher, and the same archetypes seem to arise for everyone.

1. The one who might as well have not been there

This teacher is incapable of controlling the class in any way, all they can do is sit back and helplessly watch the chaos unfold around them.

Occasionally they may try to assert themselves, but ultimately this is a futile gesture, the class are going to do whatever they want.

2. The teacher with a split personality

This is the teacher you normally had for another class, you're familiar with them, but for some reason when put into a free class they transform into a different person. If they were strict in class they'd come across affable and fun, if they were a soft touch then you'd suddenly be presented with a stern dictator.

Never expect them to be the same in your assigned classes with them, though.

3. The new teacher who (misguidedly) tried to teach the subject anyway

Usually a teacher relatively new to the profession, unaware that pupils are stubbornly unwilling to learn from anyone but their usual teacher, and even then it's under duress.

They futilely stand up in front of the class and attempt to pick up where your usual teacher had left off.

It never worked, and if anything it whipped the class up into a higher frenzy. There would, however, be a single pupil who would indeed try to learn, either out of politeness or cowardice.

4. The sports-obsessed teacher

No matter what time of day it was this teacher would stride in ruddy faced and drop a gym bag on the ground by his desk before launching into a detailed discussion about the line up for this years under-16s team with the lads who usually sat down the back of class.

5. The one who had the craic with the class

This teacher took the free period as a opportunity to show the class that they weren't all bad. They'd speak to the class as equals, idly chatting away about whatever came to mind.

These teachers would have the easiest time controlling their class, seeing as the students in question would be more than eager to to keep quiet and take part in the conversation.

6. The one who scared the life of the class

We all had the one teacher we were deathly afraid of. They were strict and quick to hand out punishment, more than happy to inflict lines or detention on someone for the most minor of infractions.

When they strode into the room it was clear that the next hour was going to be silent and tense.

7. The principal

The class will react to the principal turning up to supervise the free class in much the same way they would a bear; no sudden movements, absolute silence, and hoping to god he can't smell any of the food they have on them.

What was he doing there? Does he not have other things to be doing?

He'll say very little, barely acknowledging the class. He'll quietly work away on some sort of paperwork, but not a peep will be heard from the class the entire time.