It was in May, and I received a notification email to participate in the 2012 Innovative Educator Entry. However at first, and maybe psychologically I missed out the “competition” word due to excitement (well I think the form’s font was small too or my eyes are too blurry! haha). The deadline was coming soon.. So technically I just rush my head to think of a catchy title for my project and think of what subject to focus and which students year (level) will it be involved. After deciding it, I immediately send it to the organiser.
I end up naming my project “Digital Technologies Fostering Brilliant Learners In Education” with English language as my choice of subject and my Year 3 students as my audience.
It wasn’t a competition in mind until I had to submit another form which should contain full details of my project. This time I was motivated to read through all the requirements thoroughly. So it was a competition. Well, it still doesn’t really bother me. All I need to do at that time was finish the project on time. However, it was rather a last minute submission too. The project implementation was ok; but writing and compiling the project report was another story. I end up finishing it till dawn. I did not get enough sleep before the 1st day at the STEPs centre.
It was still not a competition to me; I felt more like an opportunity to share my innovation pedagogy to others. My id say, its a sharing session. However that mindset did not last longer. Last week; I received a memo with the heading: “Judgement for Educator Innovation Competition Project”; and it stated to bring a laptop.
I was in shock. So I emailed the organizer for my curiosity on why do I need to bring my laptop. Their responds was: there’ll be a presentation. Honestly, there were no earlier information on doing any presentation. Hence I’m new to this whole idea. It was creepy. I was having cold feet. So I had to hangout with a friend to neutralize it.
I was nervous more than I could remember the last time. I like doing presentation; but I never like enrolling myself to a presentation to be judge to win. It creeps me; its not my comfort zone.
Today was the day of my presentation. I kept telling myself that, I came to share not to compete. Well at least it helps the nerve. I arrived safely to STEPs Centre, and to my arrival I witness few teachers was already working on their presentation slides. Their slides looks very gorgeous. I can feel their effort of winning.
My side? Well, honestly my efforts was focusing on my share; my pedagogy and methodology. It was presentation for both teacher and students centered. I felt slight sorry for myself; I wish I could have done better if I set winning as a goal. But as I said, certain competition do give me the creeps.
What I learn from today was pretty satisfactory. I have a good time with seniors and experience teachers (8 teachers) from Chung Hwa Middle School BSB; 1 teacher from SR Jerudong, 1 teacher from Chung Ching Middle School KB. They are not shy to share their teaching and experience. It was good. I have high respect for them. They have been teaching for almost 30 years! And for me, I just hit my 2nd year anniversary. I would love to learn from them again. Their pedagogy are unique and I want to embrace it. I also meet up with a teacher who did educational flash software. And she truly wonders me. They also help to cool down my nerve too. I also envy their determination and spirit. Yes, I was glad to be there. Its like I was meant to be there. I’m glad. I’m really glad.
Sometime your actual purpose is not the only thing that will make you happy. The route along the journey to achieve that purpose give another meaning to life. The ICT guy, told me that the winners will be selected and invited to New Zealand for ICT Conference. Frankly I wish I could be one of them. I love educational conference; thus it would be a nice experience.
