Who dare say teaching is easy???

I get really emotional and annoyed when someone tries to downplay the role of a teacher... At the back of my head I would be yelling 'COME, I GIVE YOU MY CLASS. JUST TEACH FOR TWO PERIODS THEN YOU TALK.' lol.

Though I have been updating rather frequently on Facebook about my school adventures and misadventures, I realised I have not penned them down here on this blog. Then again, I too feel like I'm repeating myself which kinda demotivates me from writing lol.

Just to recap, I have been given three different levels to teach - Form 2, 3 and 5... It's a lil unusual (teachers are mostly given only 2 different form levels) because I came in late March, so I was practically given all the classes with least expectation to succeed (the important classes would have been allocated permanent teachers while my classes went through several replacement teachers whose main job were to 'babysit' them). Needless to say, I have my doubts when I saw my time table... Not only I would be teaching PBS classes for the first time, I am teaching all the 'back classes', which subsequently means 'problematic students' with very very very few passes in English.

One of my five classes was possibly labeled as the worst class in the whole school.
Teachers would complain and asked to be removed from teaching that class.
Teachers would warn me about the students from that class.
Many serious disciplinary cases in the school are related to the students from that class.

Yup, and I am just teaching them English, a subject they have no interest in, a subject no one passed.
No biggie.
lols.

First week itself, I walked out from that class. In fact, this was what I wrote on my facebook.

After much reflection, I was determined not to give up easily, though I contemplated asking to be removed from this class and take on another class...

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I would be lying if I said it doesn't feel good to be receiving so much kind words and encouragement. But to be perfectly honest, I wasn't exactly posting stories of how I deal with students or my personal reflection to 'fish' for compliments or acknowledgement. In fact, I always feel that social media is over-saturated with negativity, gossips, ads, and more often than not, teachers are often misrepresented and misunderstood by the larger community (though there ARE a lot of rotten apples in the bunch). You can say that I want to have my voice heard, to spread some hope, to encourage my fellow teaching friends not to give up, to state that 'Hey, I know how it feels. I am on that same bloody boat. Let's keep on working so that we won't drown', and most importantly, to glorify God.

The only reason why I work hard in school was not to seek for approval from my 'bosses' or colleagues, it was mainly to please God, to be a living testimony for Him, especially when I am the ONLY Christian teacher.

Anyhow, here are some other teaching stuff that I spontaneously came out with or planned, for my lessons. Somehow my lessons are much better when the ideas come minutes before the class starts lol. I for one am someone who really does not follow my Rancangan Pengajaran Harian :p


Took advantage of the free Manila Cards from the school storage to make posters for What Does The Fox Say!

I wanted to teach them 'feelings' so I used a 20 cent coin to draw circles, had the tasksheet photocopied and went through each of the emotions with my Asli kids. I love teaching them because although they are weak, they have the best learning attitude and it's a nice class size of 20 students. After all the drilling and some games, I told them I would test them with a spelling test on the next day, in which they exclaimed in utter horror. To 'bribe' them, I said those who scored all 9 correct, I will give them lollies from nz 

And so the spelling test was given.

.... I gave out 26 lollies (2 lollies each). So freaking proud of them.


Also, I used various brain games to teach my students simple vocabulary.

Made simple readers with students, and hopefully be able to get them to read the books to their family members.

Started a mobile library, fondly called by me as "Library in a box" lol

 ...
and the most recent project...

Trying to teach English while acknowledging students' first language as Bahasa Temiar, inculcating pride in one own's culture among the Asli kids :)

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Last but not least, I posted this on Facebook...

 
 Within seconds, I had friends messaging me through various means, offering help and pledges and all form of contributions!!!

As I am still waiting for some exciting packages to arrive... here are some stuff that I have managed to gather for my Asli kids ~~~

 

Yippie!!!!!!!!!

I have sets of stationery for the kids, communal stationery for language arts and creative activities, and I know there are MORE coming!

So to all of you , those super kind-hearted ones,

I AM REALLY GRATEFUL that you are willing to partner with me, in the journey of educating the students with needs.

In fact, with the extra stationery, I plan to bless my other classes, including 2A4, as I believe, they too deserve the opportunity to learn the best they could.

Thank you.

There will never be enough 'thank yous'.

You guys really made my day!