3rd year of my professional life

16th January seems like a familiar date. Couldnt tell what till a friend posted a status on the facebook.

It marked the 3rd year of my professional life as an educator. Hehe

Time flies.

To compare me today to me 3 years ago, definitely different.

3 years ago, I was afraid to scold any student, I was scared they would hate me. Today, I couldnt care less. Because in the past years, I learnt that students dont really appreciate you no matter how nice you are.hahaha maybe because I'm teaching in all boys school so a bit different la. Girls naturally are more appreciative compared to boys. 

I get along well with colleagues. My colleagues is the main reason why I'm willing to travel 56km every day. Willing to get stuck at 17 traffic lights from my house to school. Willing to leave at 6am where others were still in bed.hehe All schools are generally the same, the students, the workload, the stress.But my colleagues make it manageable. But of course not everything is pretty about the school, still can handle.hehe

I plan to stay a few more years before looking for a school nearer to my house.Lemme grow professionally there as the school has so many opportunities for the students and teachers to grow. I'm so grateful.

My professional photo in the school magazine for 2013.bahahaha so kembang.hahaha

Here to many more great years!

Last Day of School for 2013...

...only for me!me!me!

Alhamdulillah, I have survived this year's schooling period. Now I'm taking a long leave to rest my mind (giiiituuuhhhhh) and spend as much time as possible with Baby A and le hubs. InsyaAllah =)

Anyhoo, Friday was a short day. We had Majlis Khatam Quran so I got to meet most colleagues to apologize and ask for their prayers.hehe But didnt get to see the non-academic staffs thou. Was rushing back to go for check up.huhu

Anyhoo, the sweetest thanggg was when my Form 6 students surprised me. They called one teacher and that teacher told me the kids wanted to see me for the last time. (They are Upper 6 students so wont see them anymore). They wanted to meet in class =___=. Their class was on the top floor of a 3storey building. Nehmind la...last trip before I pop.hehe

I was panting and sweating when I arrrived and was welcomed with congratulatory shouts and screams from the kids. Teacher almost cried! They collected money and bought a baby hamper to give to me.

I no like attention so I was very shy surrounded by 33 kids.hehe But deep in my heart I was so touched.

We took pictures, I gave a short speech (these were my first real group of students) so my emotional attachment was quite strong.huhu They thanked me, I thanked them and wished them good luck for STPM. Such good kids they were. And the fact that they all made effort to come on the last day of school including this one boy who was forever MIA but was there just to see me. Sobs sobs!

Excited Mak Buyong  =___=

Mak Buyong wiz all the slimzz gurlssss...

 Ze boyzzz

I will definitely miss all of you...

Thank you for being my students. Thanks for giving me tips on how to handle students. I was too lenient with all of you and I learnt my lesson well.haha the lower 6 group has no chance like you all.

Wonderful 2013.

See you in 2014!!!!

One More Week

Today, my school clerk passed me this letter.

It's getting real people! I'm going to deliver a baby!!!! aaaaaaaaa

I opt for 90 days maternity leave. Because I plan to stay in Bintulu from October to December with B. If I take only 2 months, 3 weeks before Nov school holiday I would have to come back.hehe the leave will start after raya holidays. my 90th day would be on the first day of November school holiday. Pandai tak ai plan?muehehehe

For those who didnt know, all government servants (female onleyhhhh) are granted 300days paid maternity leave. I'm using 90 days for my first baby. If I plan to have let say 5 babies, I would have to take unpaid leave for the remaining 2 and half babies. hehehehe

I'm lucky that I will have extra 2 weeks leave due to Raya holidays. Great planning? hehehehehe

Next week will be my final week of working for 2013. I feel great. Colleagues also have started giving advices, tips, food, wish me good luck. I feel loved. What could be a better working place right?

 Two of colleagues who went for Umrah gave me this. Mom oso bought some when she was there. The fact that my colleagues remember me when they were there is just... MasyaAllah. Thank you Allah for all the great people around me =)

But erm...still donno how to use this. Mom oso donno. Would have to google it.

Happy Ticer's Day!

*spelling intended*

Today, after sooo long my Facebook timeline was flooded with teacher's day wishes.hehe B sent a message at 3am this morning (he was working night shift) then my ex-student who I couldnt remember, friends and family.

 

This year's souvenir which I proudly wore the whole day =))

Thank you students who waited for me and wished me (I went for a routine check-up so arrived in school around 10am). I ask for nothing more, just do something and be a good person =)

New Venture

Few weeks ago, my PreU PK asked whether I'm interested to be a MUET examiner. I told him yes but I'm inexperienced. I should wait at least another year before I'm eligible. He insisted on sending my name because he said whether I got it or not, it doesnt matter. So I guess he sent the paper.

A week later the office clerk passed me a letter.

 

Of course I was shocked. But at the same time I was excited. So I went for the briefing at Bukit Katil. It was a one day course to brief the examiners how to examine the candidates. Oh forgot to tell you, it's for Speaking paper. At the registration, I was told that I'm just a Reserved because my experience doesnt qualify me. They told me 'maybe next year'. Weird enough, I felt relieved at that time. Why? Because I was the youngest person there, around 30++ experienced teachers and lecturers from schools and IPTAs. 

I sms-ed B and told him about the news and how relieved I felt. At least I have another year to improve my skill. However, God has a funny way to carve my path. About 45 minutes later, the boss called my name. and told me I would replace one examiner who couldnt make it. At that time there were another 4 reserved teachers who have experience as examiners. I told our boss that this would be my first time bla bla bla but she said 'doesnt matter. sooner or later you'll have to do it'. So I accepted the brown envelop with my code written on it.

There are 2 examiners for speaking. The ketua is called 'Q' and the second examiner is called 'R'. I'm 'R'. All the Rs were asked to sit next to their Qs. So I was introduced to my Q, Mr Wee. He's a lecturer. I was so intimidated - yes intimidated to be partner with a male Q who have 10years of experience. I was soooo hoping to get a female partner.haha

Long story short, after 3 days working with Mr. Wee at our first center, I really enjoyed the experience. He's a very happy go lucky man, never stingy with his knowledge and never once he made me feel like I dont deserve to be an examiner despite my young age. After every session with speaking groups, he would ask my opinion about the candidates and he listened attentively to every words I spoke. Sometimes he disagreed but most of the time he seconded my opinion. To receive that much from an experienced examiner meant so much to me. And if there was doubt, he would give me advise how to give marks to candidates. 

We had breaks together and he bought me nasi lemak or kuehs and mandarin oranges. He's more like a father actually.hehe

To date, I am so thankful that I got posted to a school who believes in me tho I'm still young, to become an examiner although I dont have a minimum of 3 years of experience, to work under a Q who b sees me as an equal. All these definite boost up my spirit, my self confidence and I trust myself even more that I can do things if I really work hard for it. Allah is great. Allah is great. =)

There are so much more to come and I look forward to it everyday. InsyaAllah.

Heavy

This morning I went to see Boss to discuss 3 matters. Let's skip the first two and jump straight to the 3rd one. It was about a problem I'm having with my students. I taught this class since last year and I guess they have become too comfortable with me that they ignore all my instructions. One of it was the whole class decided not to do the homework I gave. Actually it was for the school holiday. Last week I reminded them to do it so we could discuss this week. Boy they really had the nerve. out of 24, only 3 completed the task.

I was devastated. Hence the emo post yesterday. Can you imagine these kids, when they passed by me or met me anywhere around the school they would remind me, yes remind me that they havent done their homework? Indirectly, they were challenging me. I have one boy in this class that if he doesnt curse me with fuck or slut, he would ask me 'teacher, what will you do if I dont do my homework?' If you were me, what would you do?

So yesterday was my last straw. They are sitting for major examination and I dont want their bad attitude to affect their results. So I went to see Boss. Actually, I wanted to ask permission to punish the students by having them to give a talk in English during daily assembly. That's all. But thing got a lil bit too far. Boss decided to see these kids. I thought he would go to the class. But he made announcement instead, calling the whole class to his office. Of course I was shocked.

To cut story short, I was quite a hot stuff today. Teachers who are teaching the same class came and asked me what happened so I told them the real story. I thought they would scold me as you know, I'm the new broom....but I'm glad when they agreed with what I did because that class indeed has gone too much for some of the teachers.

I dont care if the students are weak. I want to teach. I love to see improvement. I love when my students could remember the new words they learn. But I cant take the attitude. Lazy and rude. I grow up with boys so I'm pretty familiar with their nature. But I'm an educator. My job is to educate. And it's not for academic purposes only but also for the whole being. I have a big responsibility.

Anyhoo, I entered the class later today. I told them I was the one who told Boss (They have been blaming other teachers). They were shocked because this time I really did what I warned them. For the first time today, 21 out of 24 students completed the homework. The other 3 still have the guts to challenge me. So I told them fine. You want real challenge? Next week, for daily assembly, each of you will have to share something in front of other student. If you were absent that day, I will call you a coward for the whole year. Wanna be a hero in the class? Might as well go all the way. That shut them up. Boys, play with their so called ego, you'll see the result. So next week let's see whether these boys show up or not. Cant wait to see them speaking in English in front of a large crowd!

Staff Annual Dinner 2012

Last Sunday, I attended the school annual dinner at Holiday Inn.

I wore my super heyuuugeeee Poplook dress that I bought in July. The size is meant for UK Size 8. I am 4. I had to alter but it still looks too big for me. Anyhoo, I still wore it.hahaha But it's super comfy and needed no ironing.

anddddd for the first time ever in my life, I won a lucky draw. First time ever!

The door gift. It's a calculator by the way. I have the picture but there's a name of our school on it sooo...dont feel like sharing.hahaha

It was well, just a dinner for me. Nothing too fancy or over the top. I miss my Maktab dinners. Superb and happening.

Anyhoo, this is a lame post.

School Trip with 14 year-old boys

I was one of the teachers who were responsible to go for a school trip to Terengganu with 36 Form 2 boys. The objective was to visit PKG Tok Jiring in Kuala Terengganu as the place had an English Theme Park. The Park had several stations for english games bla bla bla.

Please dont expect any picture because I didnt take any. I went there as part of the job and did not go wholeheartedly. In fact, the whole time when I was there was spent praying that time would pass so fast and I would be back in Melaka.

Anyhoo, this was my first school excursion as a teacher not a student. So I had few fun moments with them. Please be informed that for some of the boys, this was their first trip outside of the state, first trip without parents, first trip staying at a hotel, first trip on their own. hahaha

We went there on Monday night with the school bus. We left the school compound at 10pm. The bus first stop was at Tangkak petrol station to refill. For some of the boys, the petrol station was like Jusco for them.hahahahahaha they splurged on junk food, bags of chips and can drinks. haish.. in the 8hours journey, most of them did not sleep at all. They were chatting, playing phone games, singing (=___='), eating. We arrived at Kuala Terengganu around 6am. zzzzzz....

Let's skip the visit to the PKG and go straight to hotel check-ed in. It was a small hotel, small entrance. The boys...ahhh let's say..I wish I was not there.some of their acts were too embarrassing especially when people were looking. It took some times to check in because of our big number. Once it was settled, off everyone to their respective rooms. I tot they would be tired and nap. Boy I was wrong.

It was a long day for me. hahahahaa at the hotel, the boys were screaming, running along the corridor, went in and out their friends' rooms, knocked on the door, played with the door bells. Initially, I was pissed and of course, malu also la coz am the teacher. after a while, lantak pi la. as long as no tenant would complain.

Not only their friends' rooms, they also knocked on my door, played with my door bell, called my name..if you have watched Hantu Kak Limah before, there was a scene where Johan and Usop were calling Awie from outside the house.

a scene before this one. Couldnt find the specific scene.

And they called me around 10.30pm while I was sleeping. But because they mimicked the scene, terus tak jadi marah, rasa nak gelak adala.hahahahaha I survived the night.

The following day, we went to Taman Tamadun Islam and before we went back to Melaka, we stopped to buy keropok lekor. Ya Allah bebudak ni beli keropok...they spent the remaining pennies buying all the keropok at few shops. Sampaikan Teacher Ain ni tak sempat nak beli.. T___T. I managed to buy only 2 packs of keropok lekor,,,the rest were bought by the students. Berebut-rebut...

On the way back, on the bus, I tot they would be sleeping like logs. Again I was wrong. They stocked up on can drinks and junk food, Some of them I think had sugar rush. Active and noisy.....till we arrived at the school compound around 11.30pm...

Indeed it was a tiring trip but I did enjoy a lil bit especially with the boys.hahaha But I hope there will be  no more trips to the east coast.hehe unless, I'm going there with B. B, can we go to Perhentian Island, orrrr Redang Island..pleasssseeeeeeee???

Real Hero

Like I promised yesterday, the picture of the thing that caused the whole school to become soooo chaotic yesterday.

The real hero of the event was the wall clock. It survived without a scratch only a small smudge.hehe

Anyhoo, the burning smell still lingered in the staff room. All the teachers were busy cleaning, wiping, complaining, wiping, rearranging. 

One good thing about this incident is all of us rearranged our stuffs and everything looks so organize now.hahahahahaha

a silver lightning

Today was a pretty bad day for me if you ask me to sum up. Mostly the bad part was done by only one bad student, a lower 6 student. He always mocked me in class, calling me and when I responded, pretending he wasnt the one and made the whole class laughed. Not only he disrupted the lesson, he played with my integrity, my ego and my profesionalism as his teacher. Basically he's just a bad clown in the class. If you follow my twitter, i spent about some times this morning raging my frustration. If you didnt know me, you would have arrived at a conclusion that I'm a bad teacher for bad-twittering (origine: bad mouth..hahaha) my student virtually. But I've had enough of his antiques, his nonsense. He has been doing this since the beginning of the semester so you could guess how long I've been putting up with this attitude. Today was the day I decided not to bother anymore. Plus, words of encouragement from my seniors made me feel like some people out there understand the whole thing.

I am never at all bother at my students' proficiency level. I just cannot tolerate bad attitude. I have a very weak girl in my class whom i swear everytime I highlighted her weaknesses that I saw her small eyes not welling up. But she is so determined to at least get Band 3.I'm with her in achieving her goal. I want her to succeed. Not for me,but for her. To all students out there, a really good teacher will never give a shit about how weak you are as long as you try to do the best with the right attitude. Jangan bodoh, tapi sombong!

And there is also one boy in my class, S. He came late at the beginning of the semester with this attitude, kampung boy who thinks having a motorcycle is all that matters. However, after few exercises, I found that he has some language skills based on his writing. I started complimenting him in any way and sometimes scolding him when he got on my nerve. Today, in the same class, I returned back their writing paper. Minutes before I walked out of the class, S came and asked 'Cikgu, caner ah nak kasi essay saye ni ok sket?" Yess till now he calls me cikgu instead of teacher or madam =_='.

It was an uxpected question for a kampung hero to come and asked how he can improve his writing. I guess all the positive and negative reinforcements I used work!!haha

To sum up this ngerepak post, be nice students. We  teachers are not trying to make your life miserable. We want you to succeed. And when you succeed we never ask any recognition, certificate to acknowledge what ever we have done for you. And we never miss to say 'pelajar2ku/ all my students' in our prayers. We never ask for any material things. Just for you to work hard for your own success.

Ok now I sounded like an old auntie. Got to go. Bye!

Raya in School

So the celebration continued as our school organized a Raya Open House/ Canteen today!

I got up, full of spirit to don in raya kurung. completed with accessories hoccay!

And FYI, I am the type who do not bother about accessorizing but today I put extra effort for the appearance and glad I did.

Taken in the toilet.haha

When the other teachers saw me, they said,'

Wah cantiknya......kerongsang!"

=______='

The brooches really did attract attention even to my students.hehe

Anyhoo, the reason I dont accessorize is because my forever-expensive skin is not tolerant to materials other than pure gold or silver.

And because of the necklace/brooch, the area at the back of my neck is now reddish and inflamed. Y____Y

Anyhoo, from 31/8 - 2/9 12, there will be MATTA Fair at MITC. SO those in Melaka, go go go! I wanna go and see if I could find any good deals.hehe

B, I wish you're here..

Wonderful

Today I feel better. I had 6 periods of teaching. Given it's Ramadhan, that's a challenge. Especially when you do all the talking.hehe

Today in Form 2 class, I was teaching grammar. The same boy gave me headache. He was noisy, playful to the extend of annoyance, and well, rude. This time my approach was to ignore. I've been told that he likes attention. So I thought, I'm not giving any to him. Plus, this boy has good command of English. I needed to focus on weaker students.

I was explaining about Simple Future Tense. I had to explain 3 times because a few students still couldnt get between 'will' and 'going to'. Mind you, I had an annoying boy, trying to get all my attention, making noise as much as he could and matching his noise level with my voice. Then I heard many vulgar words, and the Fuck, bitch, and anything you could imagine.

This time I stopped explaining. I felt challenged. and the fact that he used those words, in my class, in front of other students, I had to do something. He crossed the line. Too many lines in fact. So I glared at him. And as usual, he wanted a glaring contest.

I uttered word by word.

"V, if you dont want to be in my class, I dont mind. You can always go out. You can always leave my class."

*paused*

"You can leave my class, NOW!!"

I had enough. So arrogantly, he walked right in front of me, with the attitude, and stood outside.Then I continued,

"I dont care whether you want to learn or not. You are blessed because you speak English at home. Some of your friends here, DON'T! So respect them because they want to learn!"

So I continued teaching. Bla bla bla bla until 2 periods were gone. When I stepped out of the class, I heard 'teacher, teacher'. I turned around. It's the boy, being pushed by his 2 friends.

"Teacher, V wants to say something"

I waited. 'What?"

"He wants to say sorry teacher"

Hmm.. No, I couldnt hear anything.

Then the boy exasperately'Teacher, I'm not used to this. This is hard" he said apologetically.

"Write to me then. I want a love letter"

Excitedly he said 'alrite teacher, done. Tomorrow I give it to you"

Then I walked away.

For a teacher, at least for me, although the boy did not apologize with words, his apologetic look was enough. It made the whole things different. This boy had been calling me names but when he did what he did, all my anger went away. Magic huh?

Learning Curve

I have very few experience in teaching. Though I've been in this business for almost 8 months now. I still need to learn a lot from the seniors, need to find my strength and weaknesses in teaching.

Today I was not well. Unfortunately, twas the day where I had to teach for 6 periods, 4 periods straight without a break. The first two periods were in Form 2 class. No drama here.

Then I entered my lower 6 science class. For the first time ever, I felt like the students were taking advantage of me. Of me being lenient, being too understanding about the stress and pressure they got from other subjects. I've become or MUET has become a place for them to punch their frustration. Most of the time I had to have screaming match with them. A small teacher, surrounded with giant kids, around 17 years old and above, speaking language that I dont understand. For a moment there I felt like I've lost the battle. Lost to control the supposed to be mature students.

When I gave out instructions, they were talking to each other, walking around, passing notes, doing math/physics/chemistry, discussing about K-POP, everything not related to MUET. The class reached the peak of noise. What I did was I sat on the stool, had my chin supported by both hands and observed them. And thought, 'Nurul, you've failed'. I felt a pang of sadness there.

10 minutes later the class went really quite. The students became curious. They asked me questions, but I didnt budge. I kept staring at them. Few minutes later, one girl started to speak (it was a speaking activity and I gave them the topic last week). The discussion went well without me having to intervene. Then I spoke. For the first time, I spoke firmly and had that serious tone in the voice. and for the first time the whole class listened. I pointed out the flaws on my sides and their sides. I laid out classroom rules for the second time. and I stressed how this time I meant business. 

That's the drama in lower 6 science.

Now let's move on to lower 6 arts, the period came straight after the science. I entered and waited for the students to arrive. It's a combine class. While waiting, I set up my laptop. We were having one listening test. Just like the previous class, MUET was treated like a punching bag. Few students said they were not ready for the test and all the nonsense in the world they could give. I was tired and weak. And didnt bother to respond. Well I did respond. Sarcastically. All the excuses given I answered with the answers that could stab into their hearts. Until one boy said 'teacher, why are you so serious today?' 

Few minutes before the class ended, I wrote a topic for speaking activity for tomorrow on the board. I told them to go back and do some research about the topic and we could discuss tomorrow. And they started with their never ending dramas about how they have few tests coming, few essays to write for PA, maths problem to solve bla bla bla. I almost, almost almost shouted bullshit. But this time around, I could control the anger better and said 'A story of students' lives. Embrace it.' the moaning continued bla bla bla and firmly I told them 'Dont make your problem my problem'. Well that shut them up.

Basically today was a bad day. worst day ever. I feel like I've failed. I think I tried too hard to be liked by students  that I neglect the importance of staying on a border line between a teacher and students. I'm going to change. I hope I'm not too late.

That' all for today's rambling.

Learning Process

I'm getting crazier because of those.hehe my school is organising workshops for STPM candidates and inviting all the school around Melaka to join. I've been making calls, faxing letters, drafting, meeting and screaming.muehehehe but I love it. I get to deal with many Form 6 GPKs around Melaka. and just now an officer from JPM called asking about the programme. I wasnt sure but I goreng-ed and I think I've answered well.muehehe the questions include why we have on certain dates or times. what's the purpose bla bla bla. 

My sister is spending her semester break at home. I'm blessed to have sisters who cook, bake really really really well. One of them could beat masterchef contestants and the other sister can open up a bakery. Me? I'll be the regular customer.muahahahaha

Finding my roots

I feel lost lately. Ok not lately but since a month ago. I dont know why I wake up everyday, get ready and find myself driving to school at wee hour.

Every time I entered a class, I would search for the answer on the students' face. The answer on what to teach that day. Days passed and I find it's getting hard for me to focus.

One could easily see my mobility in school. I am a secretary for one workshop organised by the school so you could see me walking in a very fast pace up and down - the busiest woman ever in the school...yea as if...

I think I have a problem. I'm still finding the balance to prioritize my works. Juggling between classes, lesson planning, other tasks.

Today the book supplier came and he helped to lift one boulder off my shoulder. For 4 days, I got RM3K cash under my care. Money for MUET text books, PIBG fee and school magazine fee.

Today also I entered one of my muet classes, teaching nothing. I was supposed to do listening activity but the radio decided to kill itself and I had no backup plan. I entered the class and explained to the students. they were more than happy to chat. I should have my contingency plan. I really should.

Bottom line - I am not prepared. I have my lesson plans but I find it too boring so I dont really follow it and I dont find the need to make the lesson interesting. What's happening to me? =(

I think I have too many things to handle. But so far this is the first time I'm letting it off here. I believe other teachers have bigger things to handle too. I need to learn how to manage my work more efficiently.

My desk is turning into a small hill. Books, files, papers are piling.

agagagagagagagagagaga.....!

New venture

There are major changes in the time table last week. Majorly because the arrival of a new group of teachers. For me, it's because of the shortage of teacher for MUET. The school receive an unexpected number of lower six students i.e. 247 in total with only 3 teachers. Ergo, the principal pulls another teacher to join the Form 6 force.

And because of that, the new force has to let go one of her Form 2 class and the class is given to me. I will no longer teach Civic Ed (yeayyy!) but I'm a bit worried too about where to start. And the class will start tomorrow.huuuu

As I told before, I had 60 students from Arts stream for MUET. Since we are splitting the students equally into 5 groups, each teacher will receive around 28 students. I am given Arts 2 and 3 students from Arts 1 to be in my class. There's one student from Arts 1 who came and told me she wants to be in my group. The problem with her is she doesnt want to even try to speak in English or participate in any activity. When I asked her something, she anwered in BM, not a single word in English. Even when she wanted to go to the loo, she would ask in BM =__='

Back to the story, I told her if she wants to be in my class, she would need to speak more in English. She kept quite. I feel bad thou but I believe it's good for her. The teacher that will take her class is not a Malay and I believe it would do her good. She will be forced to speak in English.

This is common according to my head panel. Malay students will feel comfortable if a Malay teacher teaches them English because they feel the teacher will back them up or be less strict with them. The weak ones will not show any effort to do English.

Just the other day, a senior teacher who's going to retire in August asked me this,

"Ain, why Malay students dont want to speak in English?'

"Aaaaa.....I'm not sure...various reasons la sir....'

'How you can speak English...how did you do?"

'...ermmm... I think its my parents. my father taught in brunei before where the syllabuses are in English and he always speak english at home bla bla bla'

'Oooo...I'm going to retire soon still cannot get my malay students to speak in english......'

'......'

It's frustrating.

Some of my malay students tot I was born with good english. =________________________=

Comfort Zone

When I just came to this school, I was told to teach form 6. MUET specifically. I didnt have the nerve to argue back with the principle and took it as a challenge. Few days in school, I was bombarded about how challenging it would be to teach these young adults. Inexperienced I was, I got scared. And my self esteem almost hit zero.

A cluster school. The school is one of the best schools in Malaysia to further pre-u. No wonder our students came as far as Pahang, Johor, KL leaving their family behind. Their target: to get the best education. From these lil info, I know that the students' expectations are high. Towards the learning environment at the school. and especially, the teacher.

I'm doing my hands-on right now which is teaching. From the past 4 months, I was in my comfort zone where I seldom got the chance to teach. The school was allocating the Lower 6 for me. I followed my mentor to her class and observed how she taught MUET. I had the time of my life.haha and now, I'm on my own. I got 2 classes: from Arts and Science streams.

It's scary. Especially among the Science stream kids. These are advanced students who scored many many As in their spm. And they meant business! As for the Arts, I have imbalanced level in English proficiency. I have the weakest (who fails his English paper for SPM) and many many from IJC - another cluster school (niche area is English). So I'm still finding the right way to teach because I couldnt teach very basic simple as it will bore the advanced kids and vice versa. Plus my Arts total up to 61 kids in one lesson.

Anyhoo, it's time for me to step out from the comfort zone. 

My Arts group is too big. I'm facing problem to find a suitable place to cramp them in and also trouble in marking. The principal is aware of this and they might split the class soon. They take away my Civic class (hooreyyyy) and will replace those periods with English Form 2. So I'll be teaching Form 2. Hmm.... Another challenge as I am too comfortable teaching young adults.hahahaha

All About Me

Last week I asked my students to write an essay to introduce themselves. I believe it would be a good way to start off writing and also for me to learn a lil bit about my students. Mind you, I have a total of 94 MUET STUDENTS! DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. The management is aware of this and they are doing something to split the class.muehehe

Anyhoo, from the essays I learned that most of my ARTS students want to be lawyers. The girls are crazy over KPOP. The boy talked most about how to be rich.haha cute.

Today I marked one essay. Unlike most students who wrote 1-2 pages, this fella wrote 3 full pages. What caught my intention the most is how this student poured his feelings and thoughts. He confessed about his unstable emotion due to something that happened when he was in Form 4. The essay sounded intense. He was pouring his frustration about the world and I think he's angry. An angry teenager.

I didnt know how respond to his writing.

What would you do if you are in my position??

Hectic

Holla people. How ya doing?hehe

Life is treating me good. Just today I became a bijun - widely used in the school for Bidan Terjun. I was a bijun for an emcee-ing job for a workshop. I was dumbfounded when I found out the speaker is a orang puteyyyy. I knew I could but if they told me earlier, I would be so much prepared.hahaha I was given emcee jobs for few times already but this was the first for a native speaker. 

I prepared a simple script but as I was nervous, I didnt even peep at the notes. I babbled, stumbled and stuttered.muahahahah but I survived. that's the most important part.

Anyhoo, I think I did well till the last part where I made an announcement in Malay. Asking the teachers to return the evaluation form. Instead of saying 'Borang', I said 'BOLANG'!!! Hambek kauuuu sampai balik kena usik bolang bolang by the teachers =.='

As for the preparation, I think everything has gone well. Last Tuesday, my vendor sent over the stuffs for the dais. Next week they will come to set it together with tent and.....emmm..... cannot remember la. too many things.

Between work and wedding prep and fighting with parents for ideas and meself, I enjoy the whole process.

Lower 6 group has registered last week. and i'll have about 80 students for MUET. APUUUUUU!

K BYE!

Lovely Day

Today, I escorted 5 students to this Program Kembara Setem, organised by Pos Malaysia and KPM. I didnt expect anything. Just a normal task being a teacher. We walked from school to Museum Stamp. around 2KM to and fro. Phewww!

 

The thorns among the roses. 65 students only 5 males.hahaha You should see their nervousness, panicked face and fidgety bodies when the girls sat on the row behind us.haahahahahaha

Anyhoo, apart from speeches from speakers, the students were asked to watch a short film about the history of stamp in Malaysia. Other students from other schools were busy jotting down the notes and what nots. My boys..... one of them was sleeping.the rest were either talking to each other or texting. =____='

but! Unexpectedly, we won.hahahahah they were given 5 questions to answer and apparently the boys answered all correctly.hahahha So automatically, our school will be presenting the state for we-dont-know-what competition.hahaha during the competition briefing, I was facebooking, they were being boys.hahaha I didnt at all expect we would win so...

 

 One of the boys was being interviewed by RTM. =))

And, for the winner, apart from receiving books, stamps collection, certificate, we were given free token to have our picture on the stamps. including me the teacher. mueheheheheheheheh

 

 

You know how hard it was to pose while 5 boys teased you?haha I looked chubby here. Those stamps can be use but I'm gonna keep it safely.

 

The envelope. If you are interested, you can have yours for RM19.

I love unexpected win. Definitely it made my day =)