Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BRIGHT LIGHTS

Meeting and seeing the guardian is always a pleasure that I deem a rare luxury due to time constraint on both parties: they and I. Why I am so fond of them? They say life is like a box of chocolate. It will be an interesting one if the box consists of many different types of of chocolate in their tastes, shapes, packaging etc. I would describe the guardians this box of chocolate. Each unique in their own way and a quality that I admire in them is their unconventional ways which actually bring colours to the school.

A student to me, does not necessarily have to score all As to make him or her something that we call 'the light'. I prefer that he or she has a quality that makes him or her standing out from the rest, in a way that is pleasant and liked by others. (We don't want a student being the odd one out because of undesirable attitude). Again, I'm talking about being unconventional here be it in thinking and action. I enjoy teaching these types of students. I enjoy to discover that special something in them. Indeed I believe each and every student has the interesting side of them that are yet to be discovered. I believe that you possess the likes of such within you. It's just that i haven't done a great job as a teacher pertaining to that.

My form 5 students must have realised how during these few weeks, I keep mentioning about 'light'. I believe the light inside you should be lit for we have this mission to be the light that makes darkness dissappear. You are capable of being the light of SMAS and the light of the world! And i think the key is to be different!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

JUST DO THE OPPOSITE IS STILL A LESSON

dear students,

Moments i hit the keyboards i start wondering who might read this entry as it seems lately this blog specially set up to all of you guys out there is the sharings between teachers whose struggle is aimed at nothing but you all . unlike yesteryear, when the like of amar and aidil, basayev and ayatullah were once our regulars. What urges me to keep on pouring out ideas on this blog is nothing but your very teacher miss farah who holds teaching profession dearly as she herself a product of teslian, whose expertise in english & english teaching deserves a salute.

Thus, this blog is a great channel to do some sort like reflection as Aristotle once said an unexamined life is not worthy living, the same goes to teaching without reflection is not worth teaching.

I always ask myself how to teach you all, to flash back my school days, i mean ways of me learning english is something i can hardly recall as i was at that time not interested in english at all. What i have been doing all this while is not to do what my teacher did to me during my school days.They still had taught me some priceless lessons.Still though i did not know the right ways to emulate, i still learn the ways should we apply not to our students, you all my dear.

Sir

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NEED THEM MORE THAN THEY DO

I, who was once a student just like all of you really understand how much important it is to have self-confidence that for my first research as an undergrad student at my teacher-training college, I chose to study about the level of its students' self-esteem. I was so used to feel small among my brilliant bunch of friends. It was quite rare for teachers to remember my name, so the few who took the initiative to call me by my own given name remain forever in my remembrance for their ability to memorise my name had its own impact on my self-esteem. I felt appreciated but the problem is they are so few. One of them who made such an impact in my life, myself is my tuition teacher. He was my Math teacher. A very observant guy he is that I am pretty sure who knew well each of his students' characteristics. He gave me advice to not be shy in class but to speak up my mind as much as possible. Did I follow his advice? Haha not really, I remained a silent and shy girl throughout my schooling years. However, my point here is that how important it is for a teacher like me to make students feel appreciated by giving them advice and consolation not only on academic matters, but also other things related to the students' personal development. At least you give them the idea that 'this teacher is aware of my existence in class'. So, you made him/her feel special. Such care by a teacher I deem is more meaningful than giving chocolates as reinforcement in class to students whose name you do not remember.

One of the sweetest things a person can say is, "You're special and it takes a special kind of person to appreciate how special you are." And once a poetic friend of mine wrote, 'Please help me find the meaning of my life, for I couldn't find it in the dictionary. "So, from the bottom of my heart I am just going to tell the same thing to you my dear students for it is you, special people who give meaning to my life. Thank you!