Learning

Making good choices. I'm like a moral police; I always tell students to make better choices and act properly. In return, myself is being observed by them. Children learn from adults. They would tell me I have made poor choices when I shouted at them or when I didn't do the right things I preach to them. They observe every single bit of adults' behaviours and learn from it.

Ola Bola. Not so much. It was Malaysia vs Macau. Macau is almost an amateur team, ranked lowly. Nevertheless, Malaysia couldn't put in a goal against the opponent. The fans were cheerful and eager to see Malaysia win. Alas, Harimau Malaysia lacking prowess. In the end, encouraging chants turned into blaming shouts...people threw in bottles to protest...fans shouting "FAM bangsat" to show disappointment...and in the end, the only saving grace for the whole night was all supporters stood up to sing Negaraku passionately. Within us, there's still silver lining in team Malaysia.

Play. Play is essential. After so many years trying to find an answer to what children need: it's play. Yet, parents want them to be all academic and academic and academic. If I can, I will let them play all the times. They will create marvels. 

Innocent child

A 6 year old girl, with sad pity face said, "Teacher, they are talking too loudly, I can't hear my own voice..."

While I pitied her a bit but I just wanted to laugh inside.

Subway

Well I did not really like subway but with the absence of Jimmy John in Malaysia that has to be my favorite fast food here other than McD.

So that made me bring my students to get a taste of it, after a long day trip in KL.

They never tried before.

One said: Macam McDonald's saje... (not impressed)
Another said: Tapi ada banyak pilihan! Banyak sayur! (excited)
Last one said: Sengsara-lah kena makan semua ini, dah penuh perut ni...(joker)

Two Years. The curious case of a teacher, or not!

Why do I leave teaching?

That’s the question people keep asking me.

Before answering that, why do I chose teaching?

That’s the question I got the most throughout the two years.

So I am answering these two questions.

The answer is I do not have answer. 

I don’t know why I want to teach. After graduated from Michigan, I just wanted to stay in Melaka. But the problem with Melaka is that there’s practically no suitable jobs for me being a graduate of Economics and Plant Biology. No research firm, no financial firm, no, nothing in Melaka except cendol and chicken rice ball. Almost ended up as a credit card salesman, true story.

In the process of looking for job, I applied for two teaching jobs. One as primary school computer teacher. Full time only pays RM1000. What kind of salary is that?? Then there’s a tuition teacher position in a tuition center. Unfortunately with my glittering academic achievement and I thought what seems to be an excellent interview, no news at all after that!? I really want to teach one leh, not just play play…why no give me the job??

Then as usual went on Facebook to read. Yeah, read Facebook. Suddenly I saw something Teach For Malaysia, a link posted by friend. Well, I saw Teach For America in Michigan, kind of big thing there. I roughly know about TFA. That moment I remembered like there’s a calling for me. So I think I clicked on it and applied within 24 hours! That’s pretty amazing feat considering I take thing slowly, especially on applying stuffs. Well it does take a few day to finally submitted the application, long essays not easy.

It’s like Teach For Malaysia was really my thing. I had this feeling that I would definitely get it! YES DEFINITELY. From the long essay application, looking for referral, recommendation letter from Mr Chang my previous Physics teacher, then got into next round. The phone interview. Then the online based activity assessment.

Then I was waiting to be called to final round of assessment. All the while I was thinking I am DEFINITELY qualified. True, I was called to be in the assessment center in Mercu UEM.

Taking a KKKL bus, 5.30am bus to KL for the interview.

While boarding the bus, I sensed something. I saw a guy. With white shirt and tie. That moment I know he’s going to be a Fellow! I just have the magical sense. (Yes, in the end he was offered Fellowship but has to decline due to Petronas scholarship constraint.)

Arrived TBS about 7am. The assessment starts at 9am. So I took my time go get breakfast, and rehearsed for the upcoming mock teaching.

I was trusting the public transportation so much that I left TBS slightly past eight. Waiting for KTM without realizing KTM is the most unreliable mode of transportation on earth. Finally reached KL Sentral almost 9am! 

Rushed to the office and arriving slightly past 9! Oh no I was the last person! And the guy with white shirt and red tie was there already. Ha!

So after the day long interview, I talked with passion, showed I can be a teacher. Then the next phase was waiting the dreadful call from TFM. I knew I would get it, but everything had not confirm until the call.

That evening, waiting for call. Finally 7pm, a call, a 019 number. That’s it. Confirmed. A Fellow. A teacher.

So kids, that’s how I met your mother I began the teaching journey.

It would be too long for me to describe the two months of training, or what we call the institute. So please look up my FB album. Then the two years of teaching in SMK Gemas.

Then fast forward….

Now, why I am leaving SMK Gemas? Definitely not because the NFC issue. Yes, the infamous NFC cow farm is in Gemas in case you don’t know. No, there’s no condo here.

Why? Why? Why?

This I have many explanations but maybe still no answer.

Firstly, it’s related to my personality. I am the person that grab the opportunity, not a guys that seek for or create opportunity. Yes, I applied JPA because my friends did, so I did. I went Michigan because my friends applied, I applied. So yeah, I go with flow. But no la you jump, I jump, me not that stupid one. I will choose what’s best for me, though mostly on circumstances; environment and people around me have influence.

I’m like a leaf, go with the wind, if I landed on something that’s good. I stay. Then I might just fly again. And look for next stop. Maybe no designated destination, but I will only stop at places worth the stay.

I must admit I did great in Gemas. Yes, I enjoy teaching here very much, there’s no reason for me to leave. But there’s reason that make me leave. Confused? Me too.

Throughout these two years, I have good work relation with all the teachers and I have been enjoying various roles in school or outside of school. Been class teacher for two years, been bringing students to uncountable events and competitions and trips. Been PMR invigilator. Been the chief judge for district level sports event. Been doing so many things. Been the most passionate school sports house leader that openly challenge the incumbent champion that everyone thinks too strong to beat. In the end we were just 2 points out of hundreds points shy of becoming the overall champion. Been catching students ponteng and smoking. Enjoy my classes. Shouted at kids, yes I can shout. Home visits. Always wandering around school to interact with kids, talked with them, gave them boring or interesting advice. I simply love this job so much, too much indeed I’m actually tearing right now writing this. This is not a job. This is my mission. This is my passion. I’m here to do something. I can’t say I am great but I think I do well. Maybe not too great, but still I think it’s great. I know there’s so much more I can do in coming years. I know I will excel and enjoy myself in schools for many more years to come. I am proud of myself. The memories are just too much in these two years. Everyday there’s something I can look forward to. Yes, many times I have problem managing class well. Kids are crazy without the presence of rotan. But nothing can deter me from wanting to educate them more.

But why I chose to leave, other than my personality? Because I am weird.

Also because there’s opportunity for me in Melaka to do better? It’s time to go home. It’s time to get out of comfort zone. I know teaching in Gemas or other secondary school will definitely good for me, personally. I can foresee my future staying in school, living a comfortable life, maybe become principal or at least GPK, whatever, it will be all smooth.

But is that all? I can do better for other people perhaps? I can have an after school program that’s built with my vision of quality education. Where students can be properly educated, love the joy of learning. And it can become something more than that.

Now, it’s scary for me to think I would be leaving school, back to Melaka, directing an after school program. Yes, it’s frightening it’s something new. No experience. But slowly I am having clear vision. I am confident I can do it.

And then why I choose to leave Gemas? Because she’s leaving also. If she’s staying I am most definitely staying. It won't be the same without her. Well, sometimes you just have to let go something. Eh, not even dare to grab, what thing to let go?? I will be okay although I am an idiot.

Little Rewards

Teaching can be extremely tiring, but the rewards are abundance.

A thank you message from parent, snacks from kids, smiles on their faces, when they listen to you in class. All small things. But these make me a happy teacher. A grateful person.

Sarcasm

My students need to be ready with books on desk when I enter the class.

Last Friday, I walked in, Assalamualaikum, Selamat Sejahtera, Salam 1 Malaysia, Salam Perpaduan, Salam 2 Malaysia.

Then me noticing some are not ready with books.

Me stared at their desks.

Me: cantiknya alas meja ni. (with very obvious sarcasm hint hint)

Most students responded with huh? Some said no lah, already dirty, blah blah...

Then this little girl: oh~~~, saya faham!

Quickly grabbed her books from bag and put on table. 

The response so cute can die.

The Curious Case of Malaysian Education Fixation in Science, and Many Others.

According to this news article it's again brought up that Malaysia needs more and more students in the so called Science stream. Yeah, in Form Four, Malaysia students need to face the cruel decision to choose either science or arts and have to say goodbye to their friends, after all, each of us have different preferences in life right? right?

No, in this weird Malaysia, all top students are expected to go into Science stream. So naturally, all 3 Arif students go 4 Science 1, all 3 Zaplap students go 4 Perdagangan. No need say goodbye to our usual friends.
Want to be a lawyer? Let's go science stream.
Want to be an economist? Go science.
Want to be teacher? Science.
Want to be doctor? Science of course.
Want to be engineer? Science la.
Want to be accountant? Science also.

If you are good student considering accountacy, here's what you hear:
Aiyah no need go account class, that class teacher won't go teach properly one. Come science class, then take tuition at that Mr Lim. He very good one, guarantee A.

So it's not a matter of choice; all top scorers are expected to go into science stream automatically, with only few exceptions when the students and parents know and make decisions different from school arrangement. And that usually put the students in disadvantage in term of learning.

Yeah the school usually assign you into science classes if you score good in PMR, unless you protest.
The top students go science, the rest of the bad weak students go do arts and you are doomed. Nobody will love you because you are in arts class.Because you are bad students, you cannot study.

So where's the point of science and arts streaming? I also don't know. Malaysian education system is a bureaucratic haphazard irrational system for so long. Teachers can sleep in class and won't get sacked. Teachers ponteng more than students yet still get paid. All those over stacking paper woks.

Well At least I know Malaysia produces lots of brilliant students and becoming the best of the best in various industries, but the problem is they are not serving in Malaysia. Where? Singapore. Also UK USA etc. Why? Malaysian government is stupid. Yeah they are stupid enough to pay millions and billions for scholars yet can't retain many. Yeah and here is no meritocracy, here no appreciating talents. Until we need a thing calls TalentCorp to help Malaysia getting back talents yet still not really successful.

Oh why we still fail to fulfill the 60:40 quota? I don't know. Even the so many Education ministers also don't know how I know. When I was studying they already want 60:40 and what I see was/is good students go science, weak students go arts. And Science students become successful business persons, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders.

And Muhyiddin, we don't want so many science students who don't even know what science is about. It's not about the quantity, it's about the quality.

So I heard ministry is going to recruit only the top 30% graduates to be the teachers. Well I say let's open our eyes and see.

I only speak for myself from a narrowed point of view. I want Malaysia to be a better Malaysia. Change is very much needed.

A Reminder To Myself

To become a good educator.

Else this happens!

***

So I want to share a story of a professor I had for a short course on contemporary issues in geography.

Caution:
My points here can get over exaggerated.
I do not mean to defame this said professor, I treat this issue as a systemic issue prevalent in our education system in which she came from.

Please read with open mind.

"In KL no fresh oxygen, that's why I easily get sick here"
Alright, oxygen is oxygen. We can have fresh or polluted air but oxygen is oxygen.

"Pagi itu sunrise; waktu petang itu sunset"
Correct! But we are postgraduate students.

"Where we get our solar energy from?" She asked, I didn't answer because I'm confused and didn't know what she expect from us
"The Sun"
Again, correct! But we are postgraduate students.

"Males are more suitable to use Geographical Information System (GIS) because males' imagination much better than females"
Oh really?

We have this slide (she got from a random US university and presented to us unmodified) mentioning about UPS/Fedex shipments using GIS.
"Kalau tak ada GIS itu barang tak tahu akan belayar ke mana nanti..."
Yeah don't think she's making a pun and I think she get the shipment word out of context.

And this is classic, when she tries to say "air berkorbanat" in English
"Instant water" !

And
"BN, Barisan Nasiaonal is very helpful when there's flood, they help people"
"During BN, a lot foreign investment, but in states of Pakatan, foreign people afraid to invest there"
"During Dr Koh Tsu Koon Penang very good now under Pakatan very bad"
Hello I know you are BN supporter but keep it to yourself I know how to judge. Please speak with facts and figures not just follow blindfolded.

"There are many tornadoes and hurricanes in USA, don't know why, why always there? It could be because they legalized gay marriage, some people say"
I guess she wants us to believe so as well. Hello you are a geographer (?) and you can't explain the facts with geographical knowledege?

And
"selagi hari kiamat tak sampai, kita masih perlu belajar tentang penduduk."
Speechless...

And many more.

***

Not the end. The battle to educate Malaysians is a long long journey. Your help is very much appreciated to save Malaysia.

Why Kids Can't Stay Quiet During Exam?

Because they are not curious.

That's why Malaysia can't produce movie like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Instead we have so many KL Gangsters.

What's my reasoning?

Many kids are lazy, being used to be spoon fed, lazy, lack of imagination, lazy, lack of thinking skills, and lazy.

So during exam, when finished answering the questions, they started to want to talk with friends. Cannot tahan one, they must talk to friends, or whisper. Because they are lazy to use their brain to think about anything in life.

So today I went in front of the class and told them what to do after finishing your exam. First, look at your pencil case. Think: why the zip can zip zip zip? why you pull it zips? then opens?

Then look at your pencils? Why the red color? why the black color?

Then look at your table? Why why why?

Then look at the windows. What what what? 

How how how?

Think many questions, answer them yourself, think the solutions, think the possibilities. Imagination! Then you won't talk to friends. 

Don't be lazy! The more you use your brain the smarter you become.

And so the end.

My Weapons

These are the most potent weapons in the world!

Blue symbolizes serenity. It calms students, not really effective though.
Violet symbolizes power. It energizes students, too much sometimes.
Green symbolizes ecology. It makes students more eco friendly, hopefully they don't burn rubbish like their parents.
Black symbolizes boldness. It trains students to be bold in seeking knowledge.
Orange symbolizes orange. Students should eat more oranges.
Red symbolizes apple. A for Apple; students should get grade A.
Then why there's another blue there? Because blue is abundant around us, sky is blue, ocean is blue.

Angry Birds

So I heard some kids in this class were fighting earlier, and just happened I would relieve this class.

What should I do? Ah! Story telling! Angry Birds! Kids love Angry Birds.

After some classroom housekeeping, I told them I would tell a story, and then they started to sit tight and listened...

So here's the story: 'the pigs steal the eggs, the birds are really angry.'

I took out my Angry Bird print out...And asked a few kids to draw other birds with my colorful set of Pilot markers on the whiteboard. I'm bad at drawing.

Then continued my story.

'The angry bird calls his friends, all very angry, and then attack the pigs to avenge!'

'The red bird goes first, BOOM! bricks broken, score 2000 points!'
'Next up is the black one. BOOMM louder! a pig died! 5000 points!'

'And in the end all pigs died. And what happen to the birds?' 'They all died too!'

'The moral of the story...don't be angry, don't fight physically! In the end both lost...'

And the kids were actually really fascinated by my story telling, all their innocent eyes staring at me listening faithfully.

So and then I asked, what you gain from destroying the pigs?
One cheeky kid answered: Got money! (referring to the points scored)
Me said: So what can you do with all the money if you ended up dying?
...

Ha kids...

And so I hope no more angry kids in the school.

Smile

 I love teaching when students love learning :)

These photos are real, no posing.