KAO Conference - Part 2

I HAD TO SING!!!!!



Let's just think of it as diversifying my talent. For the Dinner Presentation, as a host country, we had to put up some kind of show. Some month ago, I signed up for the choir but ended up having to participate in the medley as well. It was a medley from all the participating countries.


I sang a malay song with one of the staff....Bernice.

This was the song..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RywrzdxLlAs

KAO Conference - Part 1

It's been a glorious 2 days. We had our yearly Conference. This time in my own country. Yipee!!! Food were nice and the weather was nice. It's supposed to be rainy season, but surprisingly, it was sunny and breezy!

On Friday, we had Kathy at the Centre. Kathy is from Sydney, Australia. She's like my Mama in Kumon. We were so lucky to have her at our English Area for the day. The students accepted her with different behaviour. Ashraff didn't even dare to look at her, while Ikhmal and Amir asked her so many questions. Afifah was so nervous to read to Kathy. I ended up reading a page with her in front of Kathy (while holding her shoulders), but she read 2 more pages on her own. That was a happy moment for me. I think that should make her gain a little bit of confidence.

Kathy also had the opportunity to handle Daniel, who decided to be naughty. Somehow, she managed to take care of Daniel throughout his Maths and English.

Kathy gave me some good ideas on how to make my centre better and I'm sure going to implement it as soon as I can.

Kathy......thanks so much MAMA!!!!

Pink feathers in her hair....

Chae Young came all dolled up, just to come to the centre. Gold shoes, glitters on her body, lip gloss and all smiles!!!!

English Teacher Dilemma - AGAIN!

Last Monday, my English Teacher ran away.

I hired a new English Teacher in May. After training her and guiding her with the Englsih area, I let her handle my English students. However, lately, she's been telling my other staff of her personal problem. I didn't really mind taking in someone with personal problem as long as they can do their work.

Two weeks ago, she came in on Thursday morning, looking happy and was talking with us. She was even smiling. However, after lunch she dissapeared. At about 2:30 I received a text message on my mobile phone from her fiance telling me she's not well and had to go home. On Friday, she never appeared. So the first thing I did on Monday morning was to question her. But I told her to take all my points positively. She joined us for lunch, which was rare. We even shared a pizza!!!! Right after that, she DISSAPEARED!!!!

Anyway, I've had enough headache with my English teachers. I've decided, once and for all, I want to take over my English Department. My Maths assistants are all capable of handling my students. I still get to evaluate the Maths students before they leave the centre, so I think it's quite fair.

"English students.......I'm at your service!!!!!"

Surviving Koreans

Many months ago, I was "attacked" by Korean Students. Not many stayed for a long time. What I have learned was, a lot of the Korean mothers can get quite impatient. At first they would agree to abide to all the rules and regulations, but after a month they'd start to pressure their child by insructing them to get more homework from me. In the end they gave up from too much work. Who's fault is it??? I still think it's mine.

Thank god I still have : Somin, Chae Young, Ji Hoon, Sung Jin, Yu Jin and Sang Hwa.

Learning from my Autism cases

Autism is quite a common case and I only got to learn about it when I started the centre. My first case was Yong Da. I had to learn a lot from his mom. He only lasted till Level B but his mom became too ambitious and pressured, not only him but me to get him to start on fraction. I had to surrender.

My sencond case was Michael. He's still around and now learning Algebra!!!! He's 14 and bigger and taller than me now. So, when he doesn't know anything, he'd shout and not able to control his voice. He isn't aware that his voice is loud!!! However, Michael loves to read, and when he has to wait for his mom, he'd read aloud in my English area. I have a habit of introducing Michael to other students, and get them to listen to his story telling.

Other than the two, I had Amar who came all the way from Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. He'd take about one and a half hour to reach my centre. It's a long journey. At times, he'd reach the centre not being in a good mood. At times, he'd jump around and starts to shout. He was 12 and was about my height. He had slight dyslexic case as well.

Viwen a.k.a Mr Hindustani is my highest achiever. He was diagnosed with autism and also is an ADHD child. He never fails to make me laugh with his antics, but recently, I was secretly mad at him. I could not handle his questions. He wanted me to put him on the next level when to me he's not ready. I was with a parent and he kept coming back with his questions. I just had to take a deep breath.

I learn so much from them. Hoping to learn more and more.

LIBRARY or Rest & Relax Area?????