6 Weeks Notice

I haven't been blogging about much recently, simply because I did not have the time to do so. For the past 7 weeks, I have been teaching in a school located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and have since been devoting most of my attention to it. Besides that, I also had to make time to spend with friends and family. Hence, my unexplained absence from the cyber world.

Though, it is not the only reason why I have not blogged. It did not escape me that recently, every time I hit the "new post" tab, all I can think about is to comment/bitch/grumble about things that unsettled me as a new teacher. And often half way through, I would think about how unethical that would be. That reflection, in retrospect, helped me avoid a lot of uneasiness. Why I say so? Because not too long ago, a small issue escalated in one of my friend's school when he blogged about something as such. I did not want the same unnecessary fuss and not to surprise you, students do take the effort to google you up in the internet if they find you interesting enough.

So my days in the school passed by quite quickly that I'm only left with another 6 weeks to complete my practicum stint. I cannot think of a more roller-coaster like ride in my life than these past 6 weeks. I will never forget the very, very warm welcome students gave to me when I was introduced in the assembly on the first day. It was weird but still charming. My numbered days with my form 1 Nilai and 2 Nilai are very much frowned upon as I sincerely cannot imagine a better combination of students to make my day. I love my 1 Nilai to pieces since I have been with them since day one and we have grown very close with each other. When I came back from the mid practicum briefing, they seemed happy to have me back that I cannot help but to beam with joy too. 2 Nilai has just been with me for the past 2 weeks but they're sweet angels in those devilish manners that they portray. My previous 2 Setia is also much missed that I look forward to any relief classes with them.

That said, I must highlight that some teachers disappoint me. They go in late to classes or do not teach or sit while they teach or do not take effort to prepare materials and what more to provide conducive learning environment. All they do is give notes for students to copy and ask them to complete photocopied exercises. I ponder whether I would turn out like that too one day and it breaks me to see that some new, young teachers are already acting the same. I wonder why they became teachers. For me, it's important to show that you mean business but you care. Pardon me, I'm not saying that I'm good but I really don't mind sleeping in late just to prepare materials because I feel that it is my responsibility to maximise my students' learning experience. It's not only for evaluation because what's good in a series of merits given by your lecturers in 4 lessons while the other lessons with your students come across as (well) shitty...

These teachers dread entering the last classes but for me it's for these students whom you can really bring a difference. The weak ones are the most risky group to fall into discipline problems and face learning difficulties while the smart ones can probably work things out on their own. My experience with 2 Setia has been exteremely rewarding where students did not play truant during English Language even though they skip the other classes. It's a sign that I might have succeeded in making learning interesting for them and that boosted my love for the profession. Darn, I wish I would remain this enthusiastic and keep this love for the job for the next few years to come. If not, I'll just put on my enthusiastic mask for teaching is only quarter of knowledge sharing with another 3 quarters of theatrics...