My First Year of Teaching

*Me and my AWESOME collab :D*

*copied from my FB status; modified just a little bit :)*

17 of November 2013 marks the end of my first year of teaching! Alhamdulillah, and HOORAAY! :D
Thanks to all who have given me support, advice and encouragement throughout the year! Especially to Him, my family, friends and Definitely my AMAZING collab Farihah :) Couldn't have done it without you! Thank you for listening to my ranting especially when some kids demands a slap from us haha Thank God we didn't! XD

Time really flies sooo quickly, even though within the year we did felt like it was FOREVER (aaahh cepatlah weekend. But then, weekend ni ade PGDE. Ade LADAP. Ade extra class. Ade.. I WANT TO SLEEP) But then again, when we had our celebratory dinner, we felt like wow, the year is over already! :) (and we made it, somehow. haha XD)

What I felt when I started the year teaching English and Sejarah form 4 was anxiety, excitement, nervousness, optimism and so many more emotions bundled up together! I completely had no clue on how to teach Sejarah (History) because it was my LEAST favourite subject in school. Andd thenn I realized that teaching language is no easy task either; you may be able to speak a language fluently, but teaching it is a whole new level!

I honestly felt like we were being given a dagger, and maybe a biscuit-tin's lid as a shield and being thrown into a battlefield hearing the leader saying 'Okay go fight the ENEMIES! Goodbye now!' WHAT WHAT WAIT!!! XD

It's definitely a DO or DIE situation (well not that dramatic perhaps). With a dagger and a biscuit-tin's lid as a shield, you learn to fight by upgrading your weaponry, and constantly adapting to the environment. Learning the moves of your opponent. Learning how to create new weapons and shields to increase your offense and defense.

That, is what a teacher does.

Well, that is what a passionate and dedicated teacher does. (silalah terasa bahaha) Teaching is NEVER the same, and you constantly change the way you teach, what you teach, and it even differs between classes, within A DAY! Everyday is a new battle, a new strategy. In a day, your success and failures, your emotions are constantly on a roller-coaster ride. You might feel like 'I pulled it off just now! Alhamdulillah :)' in one class, and then when you walk into another class you go 'WHY U KIDS NO LISTEN??'

Going into teaching, my respect for my school teacher sky-rocketed. Teachers are definitely UNDERRATED! With so many things aside from teaching the wonderful-sometimes-horrible kids that the teachers have to do, they even have time to go back home, cook EVERYDAY for their children, send them to school, take care of them when they are sick, etc. I don't even have a family yet and I couldn't even find some time for myself!
Thank you so much for teaching me for all those years, my dear teachers :)

Long and behold, I noticed that Sejarah was actually easier to teach compared to English because it was content-based. Anddd I am still almost absolutely CLUELESS on how to teach English effectively! (well, time to do research over these few weeks! XD)

I could go on and on about all the experiences I have gained throughout the year, but there are definitely a few ups and downs during the year;

DOWNS:
- There are still a few kids who skips classes, who seldom comes to school. And because of that they are behind their studies.
- I have yet to be able to completely control my roudy-naughty class or kids.
- A fight did break out in one of my classes which I could have prevented had I been more attentive.
- There are a WHOLE bunch of kids who are absolutely compliant, they do all their work, they do not cause any ruckus or disruption in class, but still could not pass their exams :'( *heart-broken*
- Then there are these other bunch of kids who are smart and capable of so much more. Because they skip classes, do not come to school often, they could not do as well as they should in exams or even in class :(
- Still getting empty papers for History exam. T_T (though not many, but still..)
- Watching a few intelligent kids start to laze around because of his friends. Wasting his true potential and perhaps his future :'(

UPS:
- Other teachers in school are very supportive, and shares SO MANY valuable experiences and strategies I could use for my classes :)
- It might have been tough, but kids are starting to speak in English regardless of the funny mistakes XD
- Kids laugh at me when they hear me say certain things in English which sounded funny to them. And theennn they start to say it too. ISH! :P
- I am taken completely by surprise when kids start to tell me: cikgu ajar Sejarah best! Senang faham! (it's fun when YOU teach History! We understand well :D) -WHAT SORCERY HAVE I DONE?? (but still, Alhamdulillah XD)
- There is a quite reprimanding and pessimistic culture within the kids, where if they were rooting for their friends in a sports competition, they would reprimand the other team to bring their morale down. But when my collab and I started shouting positive encouragement to OUR team, the kids start to follow almost INSTANTLY. *One or two person could make all the difference :)*
- On one of those days when I have COMPLETELY lost my voice, and I still came to school to teach (using body language alone to teach, btw), I stepped into my most roudy History class which had a lot of boys. Anticipating a complete failure and a out-of-control class because I did not have my voice, I still started teaching.
To my surprise, the ROUDY and LOUD boys KNEW all the class procedures and how I would usually teach, and STILL participated even without the presence of my voice: I wrote down the questions on board (I usually just ask with my VOICE :P) and they write the answer on the mini whiteboards. After the count of ten, they lift the answers up. If they get it right, their group gets a point. Most of them are in their seats, answering questions. And to my surprise, one of the most roudy kids (who sometimes walk around in class WHILE I TEACH) came up front and even helped me to read out the questions, knowing that I lost my voice :') This boy even helped me throughout the class to get the class's attention when they sometimes start to lose their focus.
*Teacher WIN with student's help :')*

 

*Happily playing BEFORE an exam. XD*

 

- Some students who usually sleeps through the exam, or did not do the English essays because it is too hard for them stays awake throughout exams, tries to write as much as possible. Kids start to tell me that they had ideas, but was only able to write a paragraph because there was not enough time or they had a hard time translating. Even then, they are starting to TRY and not just throw the paper away and give up. :')

 

*ahh silly little kids. Me love you anyways :D*

 

- Remember that kid who walks around while I teach History? He did not do well in his History end of year exam, but to my surprise, ALL his answers (even though incorrect) were still IN CONTEXT. Compared to his peers who wrote nonsense like BN and PAS for pengaruh politik di dalam piagam Madinah, his answers were still logical and within the History scope! *There's still hope :')*
- Kids from my English classes still wants me to teach them next year (because there's a possibility that we might not get the same bunch of kids *cries*) despite me being CLUELESS in their classes :P
- Those kids who are very quiet and complacent students in class, actually told me that 'cikgu kalau cikgu tak ajar tahun depan kita mogok, rebel, tunjuk perasaan!' Another very SWEET student told me that she would write a letter to the principal or the MOE department if I do not teach her next year. *WHAT HAVE I DONE? XD*

 

*Sweet 4S3 girls :D*

Nurain, Zarifah, Maisarah, Haniza, Adilah, Nadiah, Anis and Aina!

- Kids sighing or started to panic when I said I might not teach them next year. Some even said 'Humph klu camtu CONFIRM FAIL' ahhh you silly little kids. I still love you though XD
- Some kids in 4K1 class (which is one of the back classes) actually scored BETTER in kids in the upper classes! GOOD JOB KIDS! :D

 

*They passed Sejarah! HOORAYY!! XD*

 

- Witnessed a 10-25 marks increase in History for one of my classes when they compared their marks to their mid-year exam. Happy teacher is happy :')

 

*They got keychains from LONDON due to their increase! :D*

All in all, I am still LEARNING and improving my offense and defense :) Teaching is also a learning process in itself.
I am honestly excited and looking forward to my second year of teaching! There is so much room for improvement, and so many more things to explore and knowledge to gain :) Insya-Allah, I will do my best for the upcoming year.

Thank you kids for this wonderful year :')

 

*this is what happens when you come to school on a SUNDAY XD*

 

*EOY celebration! :D*

 

*Goodbye mah table :D*

 

*4RC2 :D*

 

*The incredible V1 :P*

 

My Best Friend's Wedding :)

My funny, kind, talented and cheerful friend finally tied the knot! :D

Imagine knowing your best friend of your childhood days (well when I was in high school, not too young haha) has finally grown up!

Got a chance to meet him and his gf (now WIFE! :D) before I flew to the States 6 years back *OMG*, and have yet to meet them after I got back until they tied the knot. Gosh, how the world works is truly amazing :)

So happy to see that both of them are extremely happy with smiles on their faces! :D Am glad to also see that he is successful :') God is indeed Great! :)

Alhamdulillah! May the both of you achieve happiness and blessings from Him until Jannah! :D

 

*Groom's side! Accompanied by my bestiess :)) <3 p="">

 

VLOG today

This is what happens when you go to school on a Sunday :P (well not always)

It's been a while since my last vlog.. So menggedik sorang2 sekejap haha XD

Have a great week ahead! :)

Speech Time!

 

*On one of those days I lost my voice XD*

 

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. :)

So today I was teaching my kids how to write a speech. And for them to remember the format, I got them to do a short speech on any random things they want to share. Some of them shared about their ruler, pencil box, best friend and even wife! Hahaha XD It was definitely hilarious when some random things happen today and yesterday:

- One boy was talking about his friend's ruler and was holding the ruler. Because he was sort of nervous, he actually broke his friend's ruler in two! XD
- One boy looked out the window to get inspiration during his speech! It was like an awkward 10 seconds stare outside of class
- A lot of girls talked about their best friends
- One boy talked about whiteboard; said I was LAZY  because I had a mahjong paper up. I WROTE on the mahjong paper laahhh XD
- One shyyy boy spoke in fair sentences but was smiling a lot. I like you! :D
- One girl who rarely speaks in class actually talked about her friends; even pointed out her friends who laughed very LOUDLY in class hahaha :P

  

*this class; photo was during sandwich day :P*

 

*my other English class: sandwich day too :P*

And theenn we actually had extra time in class once everyone finished their speech. So I asked them what they wanted me to talk about. And yesss this dear class of mine said without hesitation FIANCE FIANCE!!

 

*the mother of 12 :P*

 

Little did they know about my update, I decided to share my story with them :)

*of course I told them okay, but this is a secret! XD*

I shared a short-version on how I got engaged, who he was and how it ended. While I was sharing my story, one girl had to go to the restroom and her friends were like 'You go awayyy quicklyy teacherr sambung teacherr' hahaha XD Yes, my roudy little kids were giving 100000% attention to my story XD

After I ended my story with advices to my dear little kids, to my surprise they were so very supportive! Some of the words of encouragement they gave were;

- Teacher, be strong!
- Teacher, I'm sorry... *me: err it's not your fault hahaha XD*
- Teacher, are you okay?
- Don't worry teacher! A lot of.. other people!
- Teacher, don't worry! I HAVE A BROTHER!
my reply: I DOWAN YOUR BROTHER hahahahaa XD

both boys and girls actually said really nice things to support me, even though I told them that I was okay and that I was the one who ended it as I know it was the best for both of us.

*and believe it or not, two BOYS noticed that I changed my ring and no longer wore the golden ring. BOYS I TELL YOU*

- the girls were basically ASTONISHED when I told them the ring I was wearing was RM21 (or RM29.. I can't remember. Bad memory kicks in) They said 'TEACHER BUT IT LOOKS SO EXPENSIVE!' hahaha oh kidss XD

To add to my surprise, one girl who is quite close to me and my collab actually came to me after her English extra class and said to me "Teacher, I have something to ask you..."

 

*during their extra class: shy shy cat*

 

And after overcoming her shyness (kononnya haha) she said teacher, is it true? Anddd apparently she was SUPER worried and felt sorry for me, and said I looked like I wanted to cry when I told them my story in class. *I am HONESTLY okay, I wonder how I actually looked like when I was telling the story XD*

I told her that I am completely okaayy and yes it is true haha XD Even after talking to her and assuring her I am okay, she decided to talk to my collab to 'take care of Miss Iliani' hahaha XD

According to Farihah, it was as though 'the world has ended' from the way she was telling Farihah that I am definitely not okay and she really is worried about me (she felt sad too) and asked my collab to jaga me basically. Said Miss Iliani tipu jer tu dia ckp dia okay XD

Hahahaa ohh dear kids, your support and innocent love really touches me :) Thank you so much!

** Of course nobody would want things to go badly, but when things happen you deal with it. If you fall, you pick yourself up from the ground and move on. And I truly believe there is always, ALWAYS a blessing in disguise :)

 

*really, how can you not love these kids? XD*

Alhamdulillah, He is always with me in my ups and downs :) Thank you oh Allah. Thank you for my wonderful kids as well :)

'Till next time! Assalamualaikum :)

First Semester! :D

Passed for my first sem on my post-graduate diploma in education!! Hoorayyy Alhamdulillah! :D

*3 more sems to go*

Was actually nervous all over again before I checked my results online. Haha brings back memories! I miss you Pennstate :)

Danish! :D

Assalamualaikum wbt :)

So during Raya, I finallyyy met my NEPHEW for the first time ever! :D

He is supeerr duperr adorableeee T^T and when I threw him up and down in the air he really liked it and smiled and laughed! XD

 

*baling2 timee hee sukanya dia XD*

 

*sumpah comelll XD*

He was quite heavy though but SUPER CUTE! XD

Gift of life is so wonderful :)) Alhamdulillah!

Till next time :D

 

Rayaaa 2013

Assalamualaikum! :D Yess long time no write againnn. Pejam celik pejam celik it is already August! Even Ramadhan is over, and Eid is here :) Alhamdulillah for another chance to experience ramadhan (even though ganti-ing days are closee T_T) and another Eid WITH my family :))

 

*mama's cookinggg GOOD FOOOOODDD OMNOMNOM*

 

 

*Duke in the kitchen menyibok :P*

 

Had fun driving back alone again from Kamunting! :) trick to have things your way: do it first thennn inform :p Was a little bit sleepy so I stopped at tapah. Remembered that mama liked the big melon which until today I cannot remember the name XD After that still felt sleepy but alhamdulillah slamat sampai :)

 

*Mama looks BEAUTIFUL, and I look TEMBAM :P*

Managed to go to the bazaar here in subang once but then I found myself buying nasi lemak from a humble stall compared to other grand stalls available: might be that I am already so accustomed to kamunting environment. How fascinating is the human capability to adapt! :)

Raya as usual was busy with relatives and friends coming over and layaning them XD alllll the cooking and cookies were done by mama. We just helped to serve itupun with close and strict monitoring from mommy dearest :p

 

*Cousins and uncles praying Maghrib :)*

   

*nice Cookie place at Tok Nah's house XD*

 

Other than feeling happy that I managed to finish marking papers early, I also felt happy about falling sick (yes believe it or not :p) It's because I had a terrible sore throat at the end of ramadhan and I didn't tell mama. So long and behold my sister kindly gave salt water, panadol, antibiotics and succulent which she bought later along with manyy manyyy advices like 'gargle this water and eat this 2 biji blablablabla' nonnstopp until I got better :p

 

*See the salt water? Oh and she also made me tea and gave me water :')*

 

There was also this once when I had a slight fever and could barely stand up and she willingly switched places with me to do the dishes. She might not know it but all she did for me during this time really touched me :) thank you mah little sistahh me love you very muchh! :))

*She also bought me this book with empty pages as she knows I like to draw! SOOO NICE ONE this book and mahall kotttt T_T She bought it while jalan2ing with her friendss sob3 me terharu tankiuuu Aidaaa T^T*

Managed to finally catch up with ayna n nina too!! Aahh miss you guys sososo much :') Got some duit raya too even though I didn't get most of them but I am still grateful!! XD *still want duit raya T_T*

 

*Beautiful Nina! :) Didn't realize we sat at the restaurant for 2 hours: the waiter asked if we got our food haha and I think he had a crush on Nina :P*

 

 

*THIS! I WANT XD*

The holidays will be over soon. And hectic schedule here I come!! XD School has been fun! Certainly has it's ups and downs but the best part is when they made progress which they are even excited about! :)

S says to my friend : cikgu tgk saya pass sejarah!
K says to me at the moment I stepped out of class with his paper: cikgu mcm mane nak naikkan markah sejarah lagi?

Happy teacher is happy heee alhamdulillah :)

 

*Kids who came over for extra class before the test :)*

Other than that, I have decided to take things slower next time. Yes life is short, but rushing things wouldn't help anyone especially yourself :)
Alhamdulillah for Your blessings and guidance :))

Last but not least, Quality time with family involves eating and shopping :P

 

*Steamboat! OMNOMNOM*

 

*New phone cover! Cheap cheap and nice. 

My blog: I am allowed to be vain :P*

I also had fun helping my friend to compose the lyrics of a song dedicated to Friends :) I was given a piano-demo song and tried to make the lyrics and sing it using my guitar. And apparently he was soooo fond of it terus buat video haha XD

*enjoy this song composed by an old friend!* 

Till next time. Two more months though until school is over. Gosh, how time flies! :)

Assalamualaikum! :)

23 and counting LATE

 

*Present and surprise from dear Collab :) <3 p="">

Alhamdulillah, He has given me another year to live by and arrive at the astounding number of 23. (well yes I am exaggerating :P) 

Well I know this is a long-overdue post, but finally had some time (and also because I suddenly remembered XD) to complete this post XD

Other than happily enjoying my career and spending loads of time with my kids while also having my grammar gradually deteriorate as time passes by T_T Even so, got lots of unexpected surprises from the kids too! Me love you alll :')

 

*4V1 drew this and sang a Birthday song as I came in XD*

 

*some wrote it on their quizzes*I die slowly XD*

 

*My silly 4V1 :)*

 

*A few more haha*

 

*Gift from Nadya! :P*

 

*My birthday meal at the end of the week hoho*

 

*First time in Ipoh! Met up with Charmander wahaha*

 

*Cold meal :P*

 

*self-bought present kahkah; phone cover n plug yay :)*

Alhamdulillah for everything :) 

Till next time!

Assalamualaikum :)

Goodbye February, Hello March

Assalamualaikum wbt :)

Yessss a zillion things had happened since my last post haha XD Well to keep it short and sweet (if that is even possible bahaha) I have finally started teaching at my school: SMK Kamunting!! :D

Overall it is a hugggeee school, and the scenery around it is SubhanAllah! :D Very very green and peaceful :) 

  

*During merentas Desa :D*

-So me n Farihah were in charge of Keselamatan so we followed the kids around with our car and stumbled upon this beautifullll roadddd *cries T_T*

 

*We made banners. Yes, I fed off Farihah's poster bahaha :P*

- My mentor is such a sweetheart and she has helped us A LOT! :) Thank you thank you Kak Umi! :) 

 

*DCA kicks in! :D*

So started teaching my FAVOURITE subject which is SEJARAH :P had many challenges as there were soooo much content to cover, but Alhamdulillah so far it is going alright :)

*collaboration to share notes! :)*

English is also not bad as well, but has less structure compared to Sejarah (which we follow the textbook 100%) so sometimes we have this like uuuhhh what should I do tomorrow?? But for the KIDS! I TRY MY BEST INSYA-ALLAH!! :D

  

*Plate activity! Write Adjectives on your friend's plate which is stuck behind him or her :D*

I then asked the kids to take the plates off and see what your friends have written on your plate;

one of my kids had "Cikgu ade orang tulis MABOK cikgu!" hahahahaha ohh you kidssss XD

Have I told you that I am EXTREMELY grateful for my super-awesome FRIEND and collab?? :D We definitely celebrate small successes, share stress+achievements, and also celebrate with FOOD at least on thursday and Friday, oh yes and also our small 'adventures' sometimes hahaha :P

 

*Yes, we have DOMINOS :P*

 

*tadaaa with my ex-roommate! :D*

So yeaahh PGDE classes has begun as well. Quite tiring because it takes up your Saturday, and the downside of being a part-time student you have to do assignments (a BUNDLE of them!) over the week before the deadline, when you still have stuff to do with your kids and school! 

 *Wonders how do the teachers with families actually manages their time so well! :D*

*Did I mention that she is AWESOME? Yes she IS! :D*

I also had Super Saturday which was held in Uplands High School in Penang; FIRST TIME IN PENANG ISLAND WOHOOO!! XD

So I went their with dear papa as of course tamo bagi anak dara pegi sorang2 haha :P Alhamdulillah for the opportunities! :))

 

*Just the night before I left for Penang, Racoon had her babies!! XD*

 

*mkn Jecko donut before take-off:because couldn't afford soon enough T_T*

 

*View from Vistana Hotel! Niceee Family Room! :D*

 

*Awesome Nasi Kandar right behind the hotel! :D*

 

*First time at KOMTAR! :D*

So it was a few years back (or maybe longer?) that papa actually went to Komtar as it was.. NOTE: WAS :P a shopping complex before so he brought me there. Unfortunately it was already one of those old complexes which are about to be extinct due to new shopping malls around the area; the latest and most popular one seems to be the one in Queen's Bay XD But we did manage to buy some very nice t shirts and cardigan! (well for me at least :P)

 

*Henry Gurney area :) Rojaakkk*

 

*Tadaaa XD it was drizzling a bit, hence the umbrella lalala*

Before Super Saturday papa wanted to go to Henry Gurney, which was where the Uplands school was at; so basically killing two birds with one stone. But Alhamdulillah, we found out the the school had actually shifted to Batu Feringgi! So yeahh if not would have been 'sesat' on Super Saturday! XD

 

*Went to the beach in Batu Feringgi right after Super Saturday. SubhanAllah :')*

Yup yup so I ate dinner with papa by the beach and we managed to enjoy a Lion Dance performance as well! :D *brings back memoriess sob3*

 

*1st time crossing the Penang Bridge :')*

So far we have been having extra classes depending on our classes' needs, and my collab and I did our very first extra class together where the kids had loads of fun playing plenty of activities together! :)

  

*Participants who came on a holiday! :D*

 

*First group to complete 'making' a karipap! XD*

 

*working hard on Sejarah Qs; who wants to be a Millionaire?? :D*

 

*playing charades :)*

Well of course there are like soooo many more stories, but I guess this is enough so far XD March exams are coming up! Will be praying for my kids to do their best!!! :))

Till next time! :)

*assalamualaikum :D*