More on teachers

I'm sitting and wondering whether I can still remember my teachers' names. I know I have been fortunate to meet some after so many years and it's always a wonderful pleasure meeting them, especially when they still remember my name! Hurrah!!

Let's see, I went to Raihan kindergarten and there was Cikgu Lina, Cikgu Raja, Cikgu Rozi, Puan Nora, and the founder herself, the late Ibu. Then, in primary school there were Puan Maimun, Puan Nathan, Puan Krishnan, Puan Anne, Mr Chan, Puan Kharidah, and of course, many more (remember some faces, but not the names!). In secondary school I still remember Cikgu Ismail, Puan Zuraidah, Miss Koh, Puan Florence, Ustaz Zubir, Cikgu Kamil, Cikgu Fauziah, Cikgu Aina, Puan Rohaya, Mr Wong, Puan Aishah, to name a few. Oh dear, I am getting old. If only I had my collection of old photos here with me, I'd surely be able to remember a few more. In access course, there were Sylvia Dimes and Bryce Crawford. Though this is more recent than the others, I can't seem to get their names out! My university days were made brighter by Iain, Patricia, Mike, the late Andy Hocking (who taught us Geography with all his heart), David, Gillies (who's now on treatment for leukemia) and Eileen(a lady who was 50 years old but could wow us during our PE lessons).

My teachers are now all over the world - mainly in Malaysia, a number in the UK, a few in Australia, and some already back to meet the Creator. My sincerest gratitude to you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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On a different note, here's a piece my dear friend has written the night before Teacher's Day in Malaysia.

A Teacher's Wish - by Bluewonder

On teacher's day I have one wish,
For sudents to try their best and resist,
Temptations to scratch their teacher's car,
The one that's near, or one that's far,
Be it with stone or twig or pen,
Your actions are hard to comprehend,
Splashes of Milo across the screen,
It stains our hearts, makes us wanna scream,
Oh! Why? Oh! Why? Do you do this?
Why is it you're hard to please?
What does it take to leave our cars alone?
Perhaps a parking bay in a safe "Green Zone",
Till that day comes, we'll just have to pray,
That you'll turn your backs and walk away,
Heed our advice, be at your best,
End this vandalism, give it a rest!

To All the Teachers Out There...

16th May is the official date for Malaysians to celebrate teachers' day. A quick check with the Wikipedia reveals that the dates differ between countries. In Vietnam it's November 20, Singapore September 1, Thailand January 16. It's easy to remember USA's official Teachers' Day: September 11. Somehow, the UK doesn't have a day for teachers but the closest is the World Teachers' Day, celebrated on 5 October.

Everyone knows teaching is a noble profession yet not everyone is brave enough to be one. Which top student would willingly choose to be a teacher when the pay can hardly meet one of a doctor's or engineer's? Which parent would allow his/her child to take up a profession which is often looked down upon when there are so many other possibilities out there? Who would be willing tobe exposed to the possibility of having her car scratched or splashed with Milo (this happened to a wee friend)?

I have mentioned this in one of my previous posts that for some, teaching is the last choice. What a shame. The minimum requirement for most teaching institutions (especially teachin colleges) are extremely low that those who failed to secure a place in a different institution will most definitely be welcomed. Most people think that the teaching profession is a matter of convenience - half-day work and long school holidays.

I have mixed feelings over teachers. We have all had teachers and our off-springs have teachers. I worked amongst teachers and am still a teacher. Will always be. To those who are devoted and respect the students for who they are, I will always look up to you and pray that you be given the sense of satisfaction deep within. To those who take the role just like any other job and often forget that there's a task to be completed, a soul to be moulded, I pray that you will acquire the art of teaching and nurturing through the coming years so that you will change your mind.

To all my dear Kaypo Klub @ Horay Mouse friends who are still teachers, I salute you!!!

The art of teaching

Everyone has had teachers. Some were kind, some were fierce, some were caring. Some loved giving rewards, some liked to punish, and some liked to let things be. Some teachers leave an impressive mark on the student - always being remembered and kept in thought. On the other hand, some teachers leave a scar on the students, only garnished with bitterment and hatred. I hope that I have left more memorable momentos, than horrible hullabaloos to those I have taught...

Regardless of how important the teaching profession has been acknowledged as, it is still under-rated in Malaysia. My friends and I used to query, is teaching a profession? Does it have the same effect as accountants, doctors, lawyers and architects? Is it a profession well-paid and looked up at? The answer - a mixture of yes and no, with more weighing towards a NO.

The first ambition I had as a young girl was to be a teacher. Okay, that was perhaps insignificant as every child must have wanted to become a teacher when they were younger! Still, among all the other ambitions I had, being a teacher was one that really grew in me. I loved children and I loved the idea of sharing with another. I could never picture myself in an office 9 - 5 or any where else. I have always wanted to become a teacher. Teacher, Tutor, Lecturer - is there any difference? An educator or nurturer is perhaps more apt then. Nonetheless, I am more comfortable with the title TEACHER because that's what I do: teach.

There are people who swear that they make lousy teachers. Some say they don't have the patience. A handful say it's the last resort and I believe many actually think so. Think of the thousands of teachers serving in schools back home. Are they there because of choice or because there's no other choice? Among the common reasons are:

1. not good results for SPM - parents decide: go to a teaching college
2. a secure job with the government
3. easy work - half day (so they think)
4. for ladies - best job to run a family with
5. anyone can get away with teaching- you don't even have to be trained (SPM would be enough to teach kindergarten kids, a Masters is adequate for teaching university students)

They're probably all right. These are valid enough reasons to become a teacher. However, along the way, some other realisation should have sprouted: the genuine inspiration and motivation to share the wonders of God. And to do so, one has to portray positive values, preserve high discipline and exhibit excellent professionalism. It's not only about the content or knowledge you're passing on, but the whole being - how punctual you are, how ethical you are, how systematic you are, and how helpful you are.

It's a long way from Teacher's Day yet I'm writing this mumbo-jumbo. I recall some encounters with my ex-students some years ago. One rather thoughtful one was one of an Indian girl. She was in one of the last classes and could hardly read. Mind you, this was an SPM candidate! The lessons I had with them were always very simple and very guided. To most teachers, they were hopeless. To me, if they came to school, then they had to be some level of hope and it was unfair for teachers to have such preconceived notions. I aimed that they at least passed.

When I met her at Ikea some years back, she was happy to approach me and say Hello. And, in an instant, I remembered her name! The girl was not famous and hardly popular but I could actually recall her name! Her difficult life had forced her to marry at a young age and even had a little daughter. She was doing some part-time studying to improve her English! I was very impressed. On that day, she gave us her staff discount which was a whooping 15%!! MrD was indeed very delighted.

On other occasions that I stumble into someone I have taught, I usually leave feeling a rush of excitement and fulfillment. That is perhaps the most wonderful gift a student can give a teacher: the acknowledgement and prayers for a better tomorrow. Though there are some who shy away and pretend they don't know you, I hope that there's no scar there.