Setting an example

Yesterday, I was on duty to bring the students involved to Merdeka Square. We were in school since 5am and the bus came quite late.

I was quite upset when the chief choreographer raised his voice while talking to me and accused me for making excuses for my students. A few of them could not didnt turn up for the practice today and thus, they didnt receive any props. I was telling the truth and asked nicely for the props, but I didnt expect him to be talking to me in such manner. I was quite angry but at the end, we are okay. He told the students to get into their position and asked me a few things, in a better tone. After the, I said, "thank you, sir"

It was a long day but I was glad I get to meet new friends, teachers from another schools. We shared and can quickly identified with the frustration and challenges in today's teaching.

At about 10 plus in the morning, all the participants were told to move to JKR building, which was walking distance from Merdeka Square.

Despite the close distance, we had to cross a few busy roads. I was observing my students and I had to say I was very proud that they were always on the look out of their friends' safety. A few of them called out for their friends, told them to 'walk inside' and be careful when they saw that their friends were walking very close to the roadside. A few of the older ones kept reminding the rest to be careful and alert.

Another incident is that, a car was driving towards us but very slowly. A student stop in the middle of the road, raised his hand to signal the car to stop and then turned back and told us to quickly cross the road.

After the long-winded and time consuming (which many of the teachers there thought is unnecessary), we finally could go back to school. I was surprised with the amount of rubbish left inside the hall, and the behaviour of a few students from another school.

A teacher was helping to get the students to queue up properly. She just gently touched the shoulder of the boy and told him to move into the line when the small boy turned and said, " cikgu, nak mengorak saya ke?" What nonsence is this? The teacher was offended and when she came back to where we were sitting, she told us what happened. At the same time, two teenage boys from another school were fighting outside when I saw them, the coordinator was scolding them for their action.

Many teachers there who were aware of the incidents shook their heads and murmured, "today's children are not like last time."

I looked at my students who sat together in a group. I observed how they handled the food distribution and how each of them had their food (pick up the a few grains of rice that accidentally fell from their rice box), collected the rubbish in one bag and disposed them into the big dustbin outside the hall. They did all these without being told by the teacher.

When we got down from the bus, I reminded them to say thank you to the bus driver and they did. It's courtesy. Remember to thank people who did something good for us.

I came home and told hubby about it. He said I should acknowledge their deeds and good behaviours,  at the same time, remind them to set a good example for their peers in school and outside the school.

I was physically exhausted but I am thankful for the privilege to be part of the preparation of the merdeka celebration this year (I normally watched it on the tv but it was different to watch it life and saw the part of the preparation processes) and to nurture this group of lovely students. It was truly an enriching experience.
Thank you, Jesus.

Fisherman?

I received an SMS from A**s today. This was not the first time.

During the first half of the year, I always caught him sleeping and yawning in my class. Not only that, as his form teacher, I often received complains about his tardiness in class and his homework.

One day, I saw him playing football in the field. He was so alive and happy, and this was the total opposite in class.

When I asked him for the reasons, he said he couldnt sleep in the hostel at night and thus, he felt sleepy class.

During the second semester, he opted to stay with his family. That's the beginning of his regular absences in school and his studies show signs of decay.

I tried to call his parents to ask them about his absence. They told me he wanted to stop schooling and they too were worried and concerned for him as he is only 15 years old.

After some time, he appeared in school with his mother. He told me that he wanted to stop schooling and try to be a fisherman. I was shocked and of course, both his mother and I disagreed. When I asked him if this was what he really wanted, he couldnt answer.

I also learned that he insisted to stay with his family despite the need for him to travel about nearly an hour to school. His mother also told me that they were struggling to fund the transport that sends him to school because of the distance and financial struggles.

Finally, we agreed to let him 'try' to be a fisherman for one week - he would go to the sea with his father. But I told him clearly that I really hope he will come back to school. At least finish high school and finish SPM. After a week, I called and asked his mother. His mother said they will try to 'pujuk' him to come to school but he seemed reluctant. I got a chance to speak to him once and told him quitting school before finishing form 5 is not an option at all.

After a while, he came back to school but he was often missing in class. On and off when he saw me, he would shout, "teacherrrrr!!!" and grinned. I saw that he's a good student who just lost motivation in his studies.

The day when I told all my students I got my transfer, most of them were sad. A**s gave me a shocked look and he kept asking me lots of questions - why do I need to leave the school and where will I be going.

Today, his sms reminded me of the journey with him as his teacher and the school. To say that I dont miss the school is not true.


Sometimes we didnt know if all that we have given in school is enough. The school was silent about it but, from some of the sharing and sms from the students, I knew I have made a differences to some of them.

the class clown

little gesture of love 2

On my way back after work, I saw GH standing (or swinging like a monkey)  at the edge of a bridge outside our school with his back and bag facing the busy road.

I was at the opposite side of the road. There were two cars between GH and my car.

I scrolled down the window and yelled his full name. He was very surprised and happily waved back and said, "Hello, teacher."

I told him to get down but he could not hear me.

The car behind me was getting a bit impatient.

So, once again I yelled very loudly and told him to get off from his swinging position and stand inside the bus stop.

He quickly get off and I drove off.

The next day in school, I apologized for yelling him at the roadside. I told him such act is not funny but very dangerous.

He apologised too.

The thing about GH is that, he was constantly an annoyance in class. I even told him and the friends (out of irritation), "Please give me a break from calling your names in class. I am sick and tired of it. Please listen and focus when I am teaching." and yes, I regretted saying this after I blurted out those words.

Sometimes they cooperated but it lasted for that few golden minutes.

But ever since that day, GH was different in class.  

Again, a simple gesture of care and love goes beyond what we can possibly imagine.

little gesture of love

Few days ago, I was in my home class and I saw that one of them was having trouble in the lesson.

I kept calling his name so that he would be focus; and this has been a common phenomenal in class (Like his neighbours in class, they are always occupied with non-English work during my lesson)

That day, I noticed something different about him. His nose and eyes were red and he was struggling to concentrate. I went to his table and asked him, "what's wrong?"

He said, "nothing, teacher."

But I was very sure that he had very bad flu.

The bell rang and I asked for his water bottle. His friends passed it to me without his knowledge as he buried his head in his arms on the table, 'half-alive' and trying to steal some nap time before the next teacher entered the class.

I walked to the staffroom, and filled up the water bottle.

Then, I dropped two tablets of soluble 1000mg Vitamin C into his bottle and went to the class to pass it to him. I even told him that he must finish it.

On my way back to the staffroom, a thought came to my mind. What if something bad, coincidentally, happened to the student after the drink, I might get into trouble.

During recess, the boy came and said, "thank you."

I asked him, "how are you feeling right now? Better?"

He said, "yes, teacher. Thanks." He did look better.

The following days when I was in class, I was very surprised to see that this boy brought his work and books. When I was teaching, I could see something has changed!

He was attentive. He brought his books and finished his work. He even asked questions in class.

I was amazed with the impact of this simple gesture of care could do in a person's life. A simple gesture of extending love and care that sometimes we take for granted, but the impact was profound and priceless.

All these months of name-callings, 'yelling' and 'begging' them to cooperate during lessons would have been unnecessary if we could identify the need and extending love, care and prayers.

See a need, meet it.
See a sick, heal it.