ONCE A TEACHER, ALWAYS A TEACHER

I feel guilty for introducing my teacher who is now my colleague to a friend who came for a visit to school as 'my ex-teacher'. He never addresses me as 'my ex-student'. It is always 'she is my student', even to his students who are also now my students. This leads to a thinking that 'teacher-student' relationship, just like biological relationships, is forever. We can put and end to other types of relationships but never these two. We should never have the guts to call our teacher, our ex-teacher. Like they say, once a teacher, always a teacher. I even think, if it is true, that in paradise we will always address our teacher as teacher or whatever names they give as a symbol of respect.

I love my teachers.
And I love my students. They are the love of my life.

AS HERE BUSINESS AS USUAL

Dear students,

In the wake of the Egyptian revolution, there are some dissenting views of what the revolution is all about. Until now i am still in the dark of the real cause and the thing that trigger most leading to the revolution. I think i am in favour of my email friend when he doubt the act of google man seemingly trying to hijack the Egyptian revolution. Obama's giving-a-nod sign might be a last resort to associate the super power to the design of the modern era.

Here is the e-mail worthy to ponder,

Salaam Sdr!

Hope this finds you well.

No, I don't have a FB. Did you see how they sent a man from Google to hijack the Egyptian revolution? Well, he had a FB too and how he cried in front of the cameras.

Food is being hijacked now. What's more, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening in most countries in the world, Malaysia included. And that's a dangerous trend.

Someone called this the "hubris syndrome", when politicians stay too long and they begin to think that they and the country are one and the same. In Islam we believe that in the end time people will acquire vast amounts of wealth and still don't find it enough. Just look around us and see how many multi-billionaires there are. How many lifetimes do you need to finish the billions?

Sad isn't it. One dictator now enjoying the sights in Sharm el Shaik, and his shadows are still holding on to power. What next?

Best wishes,

- Wan A Hulaimi



-----Original Message-----
From: YUSRI SIDEK
To: elsewhere@columnist.com
Sent: Sun, Feb 13, 2011 11:25 am
Subject: WHAT A REVOLUTION

Here at smas, things are always at a snail pace and goes as usual that my dear friend of mine would always miss it. To smas inhabitants , we believe most of the things are much ado at nothing.Attached here is a poem worthy to ponder..i happened to have a look at my old article when i sort of cleaning up old papers beneath my table.

If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If you happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have,
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realise there is nothing lacking,
The whole world belongs to you.

Lao Tzu

By courtesy of Chim Li Yen, nst, Tue, Jun 1, 2010

Sir

WHAT MAKES A PASSIONATE TEACHER?

Teachers across Malaysia complain about way too many clerical tasks and only now after being at this e school I understand their feelings. It's different from what I had experienced in a school which secures a special place in my heart. I thought it would be more intellectually stimulating, suffice to say it is not, I feel more like a clerk, a robot. It's true working at previous school is more relaxing, but it means more time can be spent on being with students, and do things which challenge our thinking but yet more fun and satisfying as the hours are dedicated for the students. Here, you are treated like a new teacher who just got posted to her first school. It's hard when you love to not to obey orders.

Well, there is also positive side. The joy of teaching here lies in the students. They are surprisingly active, enthusiastic and appreciative. If only I can enjoy more extra time with them, yet I am stucked with these what-ever documentations.

This in turn, leads me into thinking, what makes one entitled to be called a great teacher? Teachers who are systematic in their work is celebrated... I think that should not be the case as everyone has their own way of doing things. I am in no position to say I am right as I know I am myself confined in my own set of thinking which is dangerous and I know it is the time for me to embrace changes without sacrificing my ideals.

And at the end of the day, it's best to think 'quranically'.. this verse from the holy book miraculously saved myself from those negative energy that I ignite since the day when everything went against my will.

"Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve (2:112)."

And I view things in a different light after that. Tq Allah

..AND ZUCKERBERG HELPS KILL PHARAOH FASTER

Dear students,

Maybe not many of us take heed of what happened in the pharaoh land that since time immemorial has been under the grips of iron-fist rulers. The nation that was once a great civilization under the Islamic reign. The oldest university in the world was founded there. The mill that churn out millions of muslim clerics throughout the world.And yesterday, 11 Feb 2011 marked the auspicious date for almost all the Egyptions the world over.Coincidently, 11 February is also the date when hundreds of thousands Iranians rallied the streets that resulted in the tumble of the dictatorship rulers of American-led government, Shah. Only this time, media name it Egypt revolution not Islamic revolution like what took place in Iran in 1979. What matters most is the awakening of the muslim world against tyrant rulers whose supports coming from the west. It seems now should everything go as predicted is the time for people power.The awakening of the muslim ummah against zionist-backed hegemonies.

Nevertheless, this time, revolution is both Tunisia and Egypt would be unlikely without divine intervention from Zuckerberg's FB amongst others. It is Mark's invention that information spread like wildfire and spun out of control that left both the governments paralyzed to contain it. The result is what people name it revolution. The credit as Times's man of the year 2010 for Zuckerberg came at no better time after his genius tool proven to be a lethal weapon leading to the demise of the pharaoh-like dictators.

The ripples could be felt throughout the Arab world as they may start to believe the domino theory. Only they are thinking which part out of the many pieces they are standing. So far, the third piece after Persian and Tunis collapsed.What next? which ever dictators come fourth. One thing for sure is that they will be helpless in the face of FB that helped kill two already.

Sir

I AM NOTHING ON MY OWN

A very nice story shared by Paolo Coelho on his website today that it actually brought tears to my eyes.

“I am a daisy in a field of daisies,” thought the flower. “Amidst others, it is impossible to notice my beauty.”

An angel heard what she was thinking and commented:

- But you are so pretty!

- I want to be the only one!

In order not to hear any complaints, the angel carried her off to a city square.

Some days later, the mayor went there with a gardener to make some changes to the square.

- There is nothing of interest here. Dig up the earth and plant geraniums.

- Hold on a minute! – cried out the daisy. – You’ll kill me if you do that!

- If there were some others like you, we could make some nice decoration – answered the mayor. – But there are no daisies to be found around here, and you on your own do not make a garden.

Then he tore the flower from the ground.

The great 2 years, I attribute it to the best colleague in the world, Sir. A day at a new school, I realised I am no more that special teacher (at least to my own self) without him as a teammate. But like he said, life must go on and perhaps one day we can again work together, I hope. Insya Allah

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. ~Kahlil Gibran

Dear Students,

Thank Allah that He inspires me to remember this hadith and surprisingly, it gives me comfort. This life is too short and if you obey Him, you'll be with those whom you love in the hereafter. "A man said to the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allah, what do you say about a man who loves some people but cannot catch up with their good deeds?” Allah’s Messenger said, “One will be with those whom he loves.”

A student wrote on my FB wall, I think it's a lyric of a song of how wonderful if we (Students and us, the teachers) can be together forever. Thinking about it, it seems impossible but the key is, we must obey Allah so that we can meet up once again for eternity.

It's really hard to part with all of you. But I want to believe in God for He is everything. And I came across this hadith, which made me feel better. Thank Allah for inspiring me such a good thing! I might be a teacher teaching at another school, but if we set our intentions for His sake, we are actually in the same battlefield! I really love all of you, the fact that we have to part shows that my love for all of you students is so deep.

Alright I will end this post with few qoutes on Good-bye. They are really good that I can't resist sharing. Hehe

Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave. ~William Shakespeare

Man's feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell. ~Jean Paul Richter

The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. ~Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

In the hope to meet
Shortly again, and make our absence sweet.
~Ben Jonson

SAD BUT TRUE

Dear students,

In two days to come, our beloved,dedicated yet brilliant teacher will leave us after sweating for more than two years to bust English ghouls that haunted SMAS inhabitants over the years.She managed to do that as her mere presence exudes confidence amongst students. Of course many want to emulate her steps towards success. I still remember once, when our student (head boy now), with confidence and sheer conviction standing behind a rostrum in a program held in Marang last year end told the floor that he wanted to further his tertiary level studies at Melbourne University. It occurred to me at that time that he was inspired by her teacher named Miss Farah, Oz graduate.The first time ever, oz graduate landed on our turf. She has charted a new revolution in English performance for both pmr and spm ( to be released soon).I am pretty sure of that like i believe tomorrow is Friday.

And now comes the hardest part.Out of the blue, due to godfathers' grand design she is to leave us.Leaving for a better pasture though without her knowing or agreeing with.At least , we should be happy with that as that sort of things promises a better her. Then,with no choice we should admit that this is life.We never know for sure what the future beholds despite our meticulous or detailed strategies. And all we need to do best is to enjoy the process. I knew she enjoyed two year stint here at SMAS.To me if not the best she is amongst the best teaching colleagues i have ever had. With her presence at SMAS ,the students' confidence in the language has improved by leaps and bounds like never before. The quote that sounds 'What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches. ...' rings true.

If things go as planned. And she is not destined to dwell in Pak Kancil area anymore. All i wish is best of luck.To end let us ponder this quote “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” - Robert Louis Stevenson. It is to everyone at SMAS without exception a case of sad but true.

Sir

REVOLUTIONARY MINDS OF CHE

Dear students,

Much has been said about causes of success and failure of pmr candidates last year, be they coming from students, teachers or the management.Some came up with numerous reasons and means to overcome including weaknesses and strengths. I prefer not to dwell much on that same old script.For English i think the reason is students don't like reading.Amongst the possible solutions is make them read.Like writing, reading also maketh a man.The sole yet noble objectives of identifying those causes are for further improvement.

Agreed we were unanimously in the meeting among pmr teachers held last week to improve our school performance by giving our all to make sure this year we manage to produce at least 10 students with straight As.Too lofty the dream compared to what we have been doing all this while including me especially in terms of planning let alone execution and monitoring part.The saying if you fail to plan is plan to fail comes at no better time.

Nevertheless, the same things have been repeated over the years with almost the same result. The problems might lie within ourselves as to me we don't have what the the Egyptian and Tunisian have right now revolutionary minds, dare to risk their skin for greater good.Out of necessity. Maybe mother of invention is lost within our midst as we are too used to all ephemeral things gracefully dancing before our eyes. Until the aim becomes a necessity we forever remain as we are at present, nothing more nothing less.Revolutionary could be found nowhere but in dictionary only.

Here are a few quotes from revolutionary leaders whose own life was at stake to bring about greater goods for the greatest numbers possible.Not all of his quotes worthy to ponder but there must always have good messages the great minds trying to convey.


Cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel.
Che Guevara

I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.
Che Guevara

I know you are here to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.
Che Guevara

Many will call me an adventurer - and that I am, only one of a different sort: one of those who risks his skin to prove his platitudes.
Che Guevara

Silence is argument carried out by other means.
Che Guevara

The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.
Che Guevara

Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.
Che Guevara

To pen off, let us ponder what Descartes once shared ' Cogito ergo sum '. i think therefore i am. But i am more a procrastinator than a doer.And i am in search of formula to overcome this deadly disease though new lines of thought claim that it is good sometimes if we are procrastinator as it does not affect others the worse like what a blessing for a family at a wedding ceremony in Iraq if Bush delayed the bombardment. Or smas students will still enjoy the same vigor from Miss F to face the battle of spm and pmr for at least this year.

But, Che was dead, and his fighting spirit transfered to the very few only.Sadly, not to our so called principal.

Sir