The Joy of Teaching

Nowadays, teachers are challenged with so many hurdles and obstacles that sometimes can discourage us. There are a lot of bad issues reported about education’s world today. Teacher’s competency, education policies and problematic youths are some of the highlight in the press.

With so many challenges around, sometimes as a teacher we feel discouraged and frustrated. As for me, the only thing that encourages me to stay in this education line is the ‘the joy of teaching’ itself. I am attracted to the teacher’s role where I watch my students’ progress and grow everyday. The satisfaction of knowing that I have made a contribution in changing their lives really motivates me to stay in this job.

Teaching is special because it offers us a lot of unforgettable moments that really make a difference in our lives. I will always remember the face of my students when they say “I get it” or “Ooh”. These are the moments that I treasure the most and for me it is something magical. Plus, it is only exclusive for those who are playing the role as a teacher.

In general, teaching is a job that is challenging, exhausting and full of disappointments.Yet if we really take time to recall the magical moments when our small and significant efforts have brought a huge impact to our students, then maybe you will realize that teaching is a wonderful calling.

My Teacher, My Hero

In my early years as a teenager and student I always have some one that I look up to and admire. Most of the time, my teachers are the characters that influence me and secretly become someone that I admire. Maybe that is the reason why I ended up a teacher now.
I still remember how I always feel excited in my Genetics class because of the way Mr. Nazalan (USM) introduced every lesson which bring us beyond the four walls of the classroom. Mr. Jayamohan (SMKPS) passion in Biology really makes me feel interested in this subject. Mr. Chan (SMKPS) taught me to love numbers and calculation. Mr. Eng Hui (SMKPS) patience in explaining every value in Moral Studies really proves that he is someone that practice what he preaches.
Honestly, I think a teacher is an extraordinary individual. This is because we are doing an extraordinary jobs everyday. We inspire and guide students to learn, grow and succeed. We lift our pupils up by giving them hope. In the classroom itself, when we teach we get the attention of a full room from the students. That’s why we become a role model to our students.
So when we consider that huge impact that teachers have on their students, we can simply conclude that each and every one of us (teachers) is somebody's hero. As for me, I’ve been blessed with many wonderful and dedicated teachers from my early years that will always be my heroes. I hope that my students now feel that way about me too.

Is it all about Grades?

How we measure our students is an important question that needs to be clarified by every teacher. Nowadays, the school system is about grades and marks. Are marks and grades really reflecting the potential of our students?

For me, the process and effort is far more important than the result itself. Whether a student receives an “A” or and “F” in the classroom, that grade does not literally show the true potential of the student. I am more interested in how much efforts have been put on and how much progress has been made.

Exams and tests are just a tool to monitor our students’ achievements. They may not have done quite well in school’s exam. As long as they learn from their mistakes and work hard, surely they will improve in their next exams.

But what is really bothering me is the way students are labeled according to their academics achievement. I am concerned about people who put academics result and achievement as the most important aspect in educating. Just because a student failed in his exam that does not mean that he has no chance to excel in the future.

Of course, as a teacher we would like every student in our class to excel in their major exams (SPM or PMR). But if it does not happen, it doesn’t mean that we have failed in our efforts to teach our students. This is because our main focus and purpose is to change lives and not just to get good results and grades.

Our school, Our beginning

A visit to my ex-secondary school (SMK Pokok Sena) brings back lot of memories. Some of the memories are unforgettable experiences; some make me laugh, some bring back a sad memory.

Then I realize that I am what I am because of these wonderful experiences. My student life experiences really molded me and bring me to the next stage of my life. I am blessed with great teachers and friends that guided and helped me in building up my character.

Sadly, students nowadays do not fully appreciate their school days. They are attracted to outside world more than school. They are prone to skip classes and playing truant. Students are bombarded with the ideas that school is a boring place and all about tests and exams.

But actually school is about more than academics. School is about sharing a common experience when we grow into young adults, learn about the world we live in, handling friendship, and for the really lucky, maybe fall in love. Secondary school also is a place to learn about leadership skill, interpersonal skill, public speaking and discover our unique personalities and talents.

Unfortunately, not all students participate in everything a school can offer. For some, they only treat school as part of their routine task and confine to classrooms.
I really hope that all my students would realize that school is a place where we prepared ourselves for living and there is lot of fun in school.

Think back to your own school days, and then you’ll realize everything started there. This is because our school is our beginning.

Learning To Teach vs Teaching To Learn

In Malaysia, there are a variety of reasons why people choose to become teachers. Some are by choice, some are accidentally push into Education Field. But for me, no matter what are the reasons. Those who are teachers now, are those who are called by God to carry a very important task. That's why every teacher (including me) should appreciate this calling and let us improve ourselves to become a teacher that can change the world through our small classroom.

The question now is whether all the training we received from our respected institutions are enough to prepare us. For me, teaching is a rather unique profession. After enrolling for training to qualify as teachers, actually the real lesson start at the classroom itself. This is the place where we learn new lessons & new experiences everyday.

Some of these lessons will make you laugh, stress, angry or even cry. Classroom teaching is something that will make you a better teacher by experience. So, for those who are still new in this Education line, don't be afraid to experiment new methods, new skill, new strategy and improvise it to suit your teaching style. Teaching is a unique business. My methods of teaching may not be applicable to others. Each of us have our own way of educating. That's why I'll never question other teachers ways of teaching as long as it serve the purpose of education.

In a nutshell, graduating with degree or diploma in Education marks not the end but the beginning of the task of becoming a better teacher. So let us "unlearn" and "relearn" to become an effective teacher.

Preface (Class 101)

There are many similarities and differences among teachers around the world. Generally in every part of the world, a teacher is a person who educates others. But nowadays a teacher's role is more to a facilitator or tutor.
But personally I feel that a teacher should be more than that. For me a teacher is a faithful friend, listener, counselor and disciplinarian. Being in this education field, I am bless with many extraordinary experiences that turn on my life everyday. There are a lot of magical moments that I have with my students. That's why I decided to pen my thought and opinion and share some of these special moments with everyone.

Welcome to my Weblog. This site is dedicated to all teachers and students.