One more day...

Tomorrow, will be the last day for this year. After that, I'll be on holiday. I will take this long break as an opportunity to recharge, recap and reorganise my planning for the centre.

I've all planned down for at least the first 2 months. Implementing it will be another story.

I've been through a lot this year. With a not so sunny personal life, to a little hiccups at the centre. I think I've done quite well, in supporting and guiding the students this year. I want to do more for next year, no matter what. Now I understand what being an educator is all about. It's not for yourself. It's for the children. It's for the community. It's for the future.

My calling is teaching...and guiding the students to become a better person than what I have been. Everyday, we want to be better and better.

Happy New Year to all and let us all look forward to a more challenging year, because if there's no challenge, there'll be no learning.

Journal.

I found an old journal I had started in year 2002. I was reading it this morning. It's a little bit funny because some of the student's name I mentioned are still around and doing so much better nowadays.

I think it's good to keep a journal on your daily routine because when you look back, you know how far you've survived. Year 2008 will be my 10th year. It feels awesome!

Painting Class

High Achievers' Camp 2007

I just came back from a 3 days 2 nights camp. It's called camp simply because the students were camping....the instructors??? We spent 2 nights at a nearby resort.

The students had so much fun from day one. Instructors were bored to tears on day one.

However, my life changed after day two when I was put up for an auction. Out of the 20 instructors participated, I was one of the 9 chosen to be the Hero on auction. The children had earlier made some origami. All the origamis were their money. I was worth 150 origami. The highest priced was 800 origami and the cheapest was 50 origami. I'm somewhere in between.

I was involved on all the games and planning of their presentation that night. I left it up to the children. Two other instructors were also heroes of Company Bravo.

Around 300 children were divided into 3 companies: Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. Each companies were again divided into 3 age groups. They were called PRIVATE, SERGENT and MAJOR. Pat (instructor) was in charge of the Privates, Ms Ipoh (instructor) was in charge of the sergents and I was in charge of the majors (age:15 and above).

I was asked to help in all the games. What was so memorable was playing in the rain. I have not done that for many years and even though I opt to wear my "pink raincoat" and were laughed at by the boys, I had so much fun.

I am now promoting to my high level students to participate next year. I witnessed what I would call priceless. Children of different ages, races and background being able to work together as a team.

Being an Instructor

It's much more than just teaching and making sure that the students are getting good enough grades every time.

I am looking into the management role now. On how to make things easier for the staff.

Every year we'll have a year end party just for us. This year, we're having it on the 18th. We'll have pot luck, and we'll be exchanging presents. It's always fun. I think I'll get some ideas to prepare some games or something. It'll be just a short party, but I hope to make some changes this year.

I've already ordered some indian food.

Prize Giving!!!

I thought of bringing my Advance Students to the bird park as a celebration and to show them my appreciation for their hard work.

However, in last week's area meeting, 7 instructors from my area have agreed to organize an event where we will all participate as an organiation and as a big family. It'll be a big event and I sure will participate, and am sure my students will also be happy.

Now....the bird park.....should I make it as an event from my English Department????

Just trying to help...

Lately I've acquired the love of baking. I have been baking cup cakes and cookies. I've been hearing complains from students about them being hungry and not being able to concentrate at the centre. I thought of putting a small area for them to fill up their tummy in case that happens. It's hardly an area, but a corner where I would put some cookies and cup cakes. Of course they're not free.....

Same but different!

They are not brothers, they are not cousins. They were brought together by fate.

We aren't concentrating Teacherrrrrr!

Hunny Bunny!

My instructor friend shared with me last week about her being told off by her student for calling her parent's name wrongly. She got confused and asked her student what should her parents be called. Little girl answered..."Honey!"

To confirm the names again, the Instructor asked "What shall I call your mom?" "Call her honey!" "and...your dad?"...."He's also honey!!!"

I want to be just like you!

Today Megan came in happily. She caught me by surprise. I was concentrating with my work and didn't see her coming. Suddenly she blurted out "I just cut my hair!!!" Hearing that, I nearly jumped up.

She decided to try her new set of work with me, instead of in her Maths class. I was alright with it.

After finishing her work, while waiting, she started her interview. She asked what I had to do to become an Instructor. After explaining the basic, she asked me more and more questions that I never thought a 7 year old would ask.

"Did you have to pay anyone to get the students?"
"Did you have to get all you teachers yourself?"
"How long did you take to get more than 100 students....." and on and on and on....

In the end, I asked her, "Do you want to be an instructor?" She said "Yes! Just like you!!!"

After correcting her mistakes and just before she left, she turned back and said "I also want to be a doctor!" I asked "How about the instructor job?" "That's only going to be my part time job!" said little miss advance.

Planing an outdoor activity

I would like to go back to basics with my young achievers this year. Instead of a proper award ceremony, I'd like to take them to THE WORLD BIGGEST COVERED BIRD PARK. It's about 10 minutes drive from the centre.

I'm still planning and it looks like it's going to happen in March.

http://www.malaysiasite.nl/klbirdparkeng.htm