teachers

As I wrote the last blog, the roles of teachers keep popping into my mind that as it has done so many many times before but I have never got down to putting it in words. Let's see if I could put it all down in one blog.

As I said in the last blog, I fully believe that teachers have a very important role to play in a child's life. Please differentiate between lecturers and teachers. I believe they have different roles. Lecturers research and dispense knowledge.

Teachers are not only educators. You are trained professionally to nurture children and have the special skill to do so. Teaching is not merely a job nor a duty.For that we have the computer and Internet to dispense all the information we ever need and robots to perform all the duties require.

Teachers need to have the children's interest at heart. I felt so happy when I see my children's teachers who cares for them beyond the 7 to 1 hours. There is a BM tutor who never think twice to go beyond the normal 2 hours tuition and prepare the children for the exam as no other teachers I have seen. The kids love her and want to go to her. The minute the paper is over, she is still there to take an interest in their performance. She may be a tuition teacher but I believe she did beyond her role. Cikgu Z, God bless you. There are also teachers who are willing to sit with them and answer their questions as soon as they mention it so that they need not waste time going through the books. Not forgetting teachers who goes thro papers after papers so that they can be best prepared but never setting a standard too high for them to achieve. Bless you all. The gesture is small but it shows you care.

And of course there also teachers who sits down and tells the kids that they have no more hope for them. Teachers who tells the children they will definitely not get an A (surprisingly when they do get one, they are the first to claim that they are the best teachers around) I always feel so sad when I hear of teachers who have only negative comments to make.Have they ever heard of the phase, 'if you have nothing good to say, don't ever say anything at all'?

To the teachers who feel that the government should not clamp down on tuition giving, where do you place yourself in the ranking of good teachers? If you are rank low, one shouldn't cause any extra damage so please keep quiet as you earn your extra RMs if you could get pupils to come to you. If you are good, have you given your best to the kids in children? As far as I know, to give my best, it took all my hours as many good teachers have claimed (especially when asked to do extra or to demand higher salary). If that is so, how did one manage to have so many hours to give tuition? Something is not right.

So what am I trying to say? What I want to say to teachers are

1. Do your best and give your best. You are in the profession not for the money. It is OK to want to earn more but not at the expense of the kids. If you feel that money is important and NO ONE should deny you that, quit and give tuition full time. You put in the hours, you deserve the rewards but not at the expense of the non paying kids in school.

2. If you have the time to give tuition please do so without condemning others. Please do not complain when society demands more from you. You have just proven that you have not given your best. There was once a bird that was buried in warm cow dung in winter. He was so happy that he sang. Out comes cat and ate him up. Be a smart bird. Keep warm and quiet. Many a time, I feel that teachers want the cake and also eat it and it saddens me. We are in a noble profession. We need to perform professionally. Do remember that who we are dealing with. Lastly if we can't help, at least try not to destroy.

I would like to declare her that the above blog is purely my feelings and is not directed at anybody in particular. If it offended anyone, my sincere apologies. It is just my reflections of the profession and my fleeting thoughts as I look around. I believe strongly in the role of teachers and seen the effect of teachers on so many kids and many a times, I feel so dishearten when I see injustice done onto the children of in the school.

my little daughter

Before the two boys' go green and ask why the little daughter, this is not about the little girl. It is about the girl with the boys!.
Last week sees the beginning of SPM for the girl Au. As she enters into the exam hall, one or rather I can see the difference between boys and girls. I know I have said it many times as the capacity of a teacher and a senior assistant but this time I am saying it as a mother. As the days and years go by, one can see why a daughter can make life interesting after 2 boys. Back to SPM, I don't remember thinking about the boys' health and meals as they enter the exam period. Well it is DEFINITELY not because I love them less but because they have never got so 'excited' about it They have never told me that they were nervous. They never tell me that they can't eat and neither have they given me worried looks that can panic you if you are not prepared. I don't remember having to give extra hugs and kisses to smoother the jitters and having to make sure they get enough sleep. Sure E did requires some pushing to slow down but then he settles into it fast.I guess that is why God make me retire just before she takes her SPM. ; )
To my children, you have make my life very interesting and allows me to see a comparison between you all. I have always said that they are all different and it is never so clear until I see them grow up.Each has his or her own characteristic.
To parents who are still in the manufacturing years, don't forgo the happiness and experience of having both sons and daughters. Children are always God's greatest gift to us. How they turn out depends a lot on how we nurture them. It is an endless journey of love where one should be sensitive and ready to change course at all times. All of them are different and they respond differently at different time.To those who deal with children, you owe it to your own soul to love them and to give your best to them.Be you as a parent or a teacher, do you realise that the younger they are, the more sincere they are and the more beautiful they are.I am willing to state my point to that' if you are not prepare to love, give and nurture them, don't be involved with them. ( of course they are those who knows not and knows not they knows not. )
Children should never be a duty Last word, as parents and teachers ( if a keep referring to the profession it is because I think they are next to parents to a child) love means giving and never expecting. I spoke of a one way traffic. Please remember that.
To Au, all the best for SPM, and as I told your brothers, I would like to repeat that in life it only matters that you have done your best. It definitely do not matters what the destination may be but the journey is in your control. I will always be proud of each and every one of you. and love you all just as much. We move on in life to the sounds of the drums that we hear and each and everyone of us will definitely hear a different set of drums. (But do listen carefully cuz very often, we hear the wrong sets because we want to desperately hear what we have earlier decided upon. That is the time when we need to open up and ask others what they hear for us too)

half a century old part 2

birthday boy and birthday girl with a chocolate indulgence cake as requested by A since she can be with us. Tuition !

sister and 2 nieces, referring to background. In the foreground, attacking food!

brother and family. Good to see him after his stroke a few months ago.

Next, since I shared the same birth date with my one and only sister's hubby, we normally celebrates the day together.Nieces and nephew came back from Singapore and what nicest way to celebrate other than to eat again.

This time we went to Golden dragon Restaurant in paramount to glut out.

Oh before I forget, the three kids (more one did the job, one help to hold the laptop and the other one is under immunity because SPM is just 2 days away) came up with a sweet power point presentation for my birthday. It was shown at Star village and later the aunties and uncles got to see it in the restaurant. Thanks sweethearts. OH and I better record my thanks too to my ever loving hubby for taking me out for a special lunch [ while waiting for E in the mall, ; ) ] and shopping.

half a century old

Oh my gosh, the title make it sounds like we are talking about some antique. Of course, being my naughty son, A will be more than happy to agree and, have a good laugh and add more spice to it. But I declare here and now that I have no regrets and I am happy where I am. I enjoy learning to Be 'manjaed' by the kids ( ie crossing roads and jumping over longkangs with their help and not forgetting them taking care of the luggage when we travel ; ) )

Well I celebrated the birthday first with a few close friends. We literally grew up together, laugh together, shared secrets and thoughts. We started off as teenagers,innocent and fun loving. we left school, found our love, got married and even went through pregbnancy at the same time.SF left for America and came back, LP travelled round the world, at least more than us and got teased lots of time in between, KW was the first to enjoy being a full time housewife, not forgetting LS who was our remisier but we turn out lousy clients to her!

Now as we meet up, we talk about our children (we do talk about husbands but they may take offence that we normally bring them in the conversation as our drivers and someone who look after the kids when we are out together). WE share ideas about bringing up kids and lately our retirement plans. Gosh wonder if we will end up in the same old folks' home! : )

5 pretty girls in Star Village as dinner is served

momentos from friend to remember the day by

hi tea before dinner

beautiful cheese cake from friends too

A Retiree

A week ago, niece was back from Singapore. In the course of a conversation about I am spending my time, I mentioned that I'm yet to do a few things on my list. Comment was"No time management" Well well well, you're right but the point is we retirees do not need time management. What a difference when one need not look at datelines and complete certain projects by certain time. Yeah no time management because I don't need time management. Hooray ; )
Was out for lunch with some old members of school administrators the other day. I took a full lunch while they took a drink since they had school function! Came to payment, it was 'Let me pay since you already a pensioner' That was nice. Haven't seen myself as such yet. Good idea. Ha ha ha But on a serious tone, Thank you Y K for lunch.It was a nice thought from you. Much appreciated.
Last Sunday attended a Hari Raya open house of a teacher. Former colleague, present tuition teacher of my daughter. Met up quite a few ex teachers. It was nice of them to come up and salam and say Hi. Touching moment was when a teacher served me. It was a small gesture but significant because I was served because, I as still their friend. As I told them, when I was their boss, I never knew if they were serving their boss or their friend. At least now I know for sure I am a friend. Thank God for friends.