Pre Kindy

I get new enrolments every month. Last year wasn't really good because on everage, only about 5 students per month. On top of that I get drop outs. For February, I already have 10 in hand and I think I'll push the rest for March in take. I hope I'll get more students this year because I was already thinking about retiring looking at the rate I was going. I wasn't giving up hope, just feel a bit tired at times. After nurturing a student for years, and just when they were going to make it, they left. It's so sad.

Anyway, this week, I enjoyed teaching my 3 year olds. I am short of teachers at the moment. We don't even have an English teacher. I have to juggle between being at the English area and the Pre Kindy area.

February project will be to raise fund for a renovation.

I also want to take pictures of my pre kindy students and have a progress chart ouside their classroom. That'll be cute!

I love all my pre kindy students...including Vheylen the difficult one. On Friday, I had to go through 15 mins of torture from him not wanting to count 5 pages for me. I punished him by not giving him the puzzles and stamps and stickers.

Inesh was very mischevious too. I told him if he didn't do his work properly I'd call him "Cutie Pie". It's such a sissy nickname...and he didn't like it and told me that I'm the "Cutie Pie" instead. So not wanting me to call him "Cutie Pie", he did his work well. I was quite surprised little things like that can motivate him to do his writing.

Natasha (pre kindy student) is not crying in the classroom anymore. She came in with a little blue daisy in her hair, while Emma (pre kindy) had a purple hibiscus in hers. They're counting up to 50 now! Amazing.

Full report this week:

Natasha : Has to stop because she can't come regularly and has not been doing so. As a result, she hasn't shown any progress. She was an advance student last year but she's been at the same level because of her irregularities. Her mom came to thank and Natasha gave me a hug before she left. Her mom did too. How nice and thoughtful some people can be.

Animah and Zayn: Have to stop because they are still adjusting to a new private school they have enrolled early this year. They start scholl at 7:40 and finish around 3:30. By the time they get back home, they have to start doing their homework from school. On top of that, the private school they are attending have decided to get the students to do work a year ahead from their school age. So students not only have to adjust to the timing, but also the challenge in doing something much more than what they're suppose to be doing. Their mom called to thank for all the help we've done to her children. She's labenese.

Siddesh and Misha: Stopped. In June 2006, the parents had some conflict over whether to take them out of the centre or not. Their mom believe in the method but the dad didn't really. This month, finally their daddy managed to talk their mom into stopping them. I hope they've learned a thing or two.

I think enough about who stopped...I should start reporting on the new enrolment in the next posting.

Too young or not the time yet?

I have a student who enrolled with me last week. She's 23 and had brain tumor. Before Christmas, her younger brother called and told me that he'd like me to see his sister because he'd like her to learn. I somehow lost his phone number and never heard from him after that. 2 weeks ago, his mom called. I have ben thinking about him and his sister but could not do much because "silly me" lost the number. I was actually quite relieved that his mom wanted to give me a chance.

I tested Julianna who appeared to be normal. She does look like she's 16 though, but I told her that's awesome! I would love to be like her, I told her.

Anyway, she's been to the centre 3 times now. and I feel that I can connect to her. She's still trying to memorize the dots pattern because she's lost all her ability for counting.

Today, she wanted to tell me that she wants to havea boyfriend. She told me all her friends have one and they're all happy when they talk to their boyfriend. I was speechless. i didn't know how to handle the situation. So, I just laughed and said "Really???".

Please tell me how to handle this situation!

Is it because it's Monday?

An offer to MC a prize giving ceremony from one of the biggest centre in Malaysia!!!!! Enrolment of 8 subject count in one day and in total about 15 for the month of February. Clearer picture on the centre's next renovation. Renovation to make the classroom bigger so that the students are more comfortable. With all that in mind, I should be happy.

Ok, I'll be happy!!

This morning I was told a senior staff will be late. It just came out from my mouth to ask if she's gone for a job interview. It turned out, YES! I was a bit upset because I had plans for this staff, now it looks like I can't even have a concrete plan for my centre.

I don't even know if I should even make any plans.

Today I could not take care of Zane and Rishan. They're both 4. Earlier I could not teach Jeremiah and Tristan. However, all 4 of them...at diffferent times, looked for me when they finished. I just loved looking at them looking happy when they have finished their work. The staff that was taking care of them are getting used to them too. I'm glad. I heard her making funny voices when she asked them to count. I like that!! Teachers should sometimes be a bit comical. I hated all my teachers who didn't have a sense of humour.

May peace be upon ME!

A new year, a new month, a new beginning......

I am still trying to look for the best time to sit down and think about this whole year. What sort of changes I should make, what kind of improvement, what safety measures to look into.....

This are the things I have so far in my little "purple" book!

We've decided to not have any kinds of party at all for the achievers this year. We're just going to celebrate them by taking pictures in front of a banner, and have it displayed in our "hall of fame!!!" That'll do it. I know it sounds a bit cruel....well at first that's what I thought, but after thinking more, I think it's a good way to come up with the budget for upgrading the centre. I haven't had the chance to do that for years....so this is the time.

This year is going to be an important year.

This year will be the year to determine whether I'm capable of being a good instructor, as well as an entrepreneur. I'm just testing myself this year. I want to see whether I can live comfortably for a little, while running the centre.

To all......please pray for me.

Here we goooooooooooo.....

Happy New Year!!!!!

Today, running around to prepare for tomorrow. License to renew, letters to post, budget to organize, package to be sent out to Beijing, and meetings to arrange. I almost broke down this morning...but I had lunch with my "che che" (big sis in chinese). While waiting for her to arrive, I managed to calm down and with a little note pad, I listed down things to do and it made me feel better. While writing ... I was forced to observe the surrounding.

Today is the first day of school for a new year. Around me, there were children talking to their mommies excitedly in their school uniforms. The lady next to me was constantly talking to her 7 year old, giving him encouragement, telling him what to expect in the next few days of school. It got a little bit too much at one point... but I guess if I were to be a mommy, that's what I'd do too.

Here's what I heard...

"I like your badge huney!"
"Do you know what's your school motto is on the badge? It's BERILMU, BERBAKTI, CEMERLANG. Do you know what it means???"
"When you go home today, you have to memorize the school song ok darling?"
"By next week, you have to know where the toilets and canteen are" "Do you remember your teacher's name?"
" How many new friends have you made today?" Make sure you help those who needs your help ok?"
"It's ok to cry on your first day baby, your daddy cried too on his first day!"
"Did you see the little girl who wouldn't let go of her mom just now? I'm proud of you sayang!"

At the same time, little 3 year old kept shouting on my left. He ended up on the floor with his face down to the ground and no one could do anything about it.

All I wanted this morning was some peace and quiet.