Archive for Education

Taking a deep breath.

After several weeks of curiosity and in denial, I come to a point that I am ready to focus for what must needed. It’s still painful by heart. You almost see all getting what they deserved. At least that’s what being thought. 

Teaching English Language to a foreign by nature is a tough job. Having to teach two levels of English Language already is dramatically challenging. Next year, with sadness my challenge will also be increase. I’ve been mapped to teach Lower Primary English. This mean, I’ll be teaching English for three levels; Year 1 up to Year 3.

So many criticism I personally built inside my doubt; but it is nothing but logic and feelings. I found a way for what really matters. What really still matters is the future of the children I touch. Educating and exposing them the world outside is primarily and all the nonsense must be skip which are not even the secondaries.

They have no time and interest to understand individual needs, and someday it will be returned. God’s vengeance is better than a passion revenge. Be mortified in eternity.

I’m taking my deep breath. This is the reality which shapes my future existence. I will miss teaching ICT and visualizing how the ICT room looks like. I will also miss science, the inquiry method approach and working with the Science Unit, CDD MOE. I think Mr. Ng a former Education Officer in Science Unit will be sadden the fact of these change. I believed he had hope on me to be a good leader in Science Brunei Education.

Taking deep breath again. What really concerns me on teaching English is the Syllabus and Scheme. I’m still learning them and trying my best to like it. I never experience in teaching English Year 1, so this will again put me to a situation in which I need to learn more and definitely will make it harder coz I need to learn it in warp speed for the Children sake. I love learning, but forcing to learn and like something which is not really glamourous can be very torturing. The most torturing will be its Lesson Plan. Planing and writing up your plans is two different things. For me, before you come to a class, the plan is already built up in mind if I’m confident to teach that subject. But if you have a syllabus and scheme which are in debt of perfection; you get lost and writing it on a paper is even harder. Some time it fit, and you can open the lock; but most of the time it feels like you have the wrong keys. These wrong keys are making me slow and delaying on my submission of my lesson plan every week. And having to write up 3 levels of English lesson plan will be O.M.G.

The more you are positive and say “I want to have a good life,” the more you build that reality for yourself; by creating the life that you want. It is not always the case that things will fall into your lap or that life will be great, but it is all about perspective and having a positive outlook. If something goes wrong, you say, “That happened for a reason, what can I learn from that and how can I grow?” – Chris Pine

On being focus. Rather than assimilating this negative vibes which never turns helpful, I decided to move forward and keep my chin up. Be positive and accept the challenge. Just get the job done with quality. The goal is simple: For the best of Children’s English Lesson. This is what I want to do, and this is what I want to focus. “Focus all your energy to something which is rather important is the key.” This same sentence was personally advised by Mr. Bob (Robbert) Knowling Jr (Chairman of Eagles Landing Partners and lead facilitator of Brunei’s School Leadership Programme)

Being focus. I need to let go, in order to be focus. I need to return back all my ICT and science resources to my school’s resource room. Need to revise all the English Language teaching pedagogy. I need to arrange all the linguistic and teaching reading methodology neatly on the bookshelf.  I want to be ready for next year. I will learn and never give up. I will learn, never give up and never defeat. Technically there are plenty to learn now. In summary I need to master how to teach Reading; Thinking & understanding; Writing and communication skills.

Last but not least, I want to be the awesome teacher; just like my past teachers who inspires me. They taught me the subject contents and they taught me on living. Until now, they are still helping me out.

“You’re cruelty, and injustice. Waiting by the heaven doors to drag you to hell. You cost a life a living pain, they’ll cost yours in eternity.” – The one you murdered a dream & a life. Who’s worried now? Bitch. Even in death, forever they speaks. 

Digital Technologies Fostering Brilliant Learners In Education

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.

The lady asked if I work at CDD or a TESL graduate

I’m new, but i dont want to let Time to define my experience. So I’m always fuel up for learning. In this era, we teachers cannot only depend and awaits MOE’s HRD to develop us; but in time we need to have and find motivation, determination and discover ways how we can get learning opportunity through smart partners to speed up experience.. Like wise, i love my previous teachers and my lecturers who supports my profession. Hope the leaders in the ministry continuously be positive and give provisions on these sort of potentials and initiative.

I did a presentation last Sunday on behalf of my team no. 4 of venue 2 workshop; during the two days – Inaugural National Conference of School Leadership Program (Brunei) at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Brunei Darusalam (UBD).

It was not the best presentation. I think it was awful. My nerve won, and I mispronounced ”stakeholders” as “stockholders“. In which these two words are distinguish in spelling and meaning. It was very shameful; witnessed by hundred of other school leaders. But they handle with humour, so I was ok. Though Sitting right now, it does make you want to redo it again.

But the worst of me comes when Dr. Jainatul Halida, a very respectful UBD lecturer and SLP team organiser somehow stopped my presentation with the unconventional way, by covering my presentation slide. I was actually coming to say my final keynote. It was very humiliating haha, coz I did not even say “thank you for listening“. I felt sorry for myself, but I viewed it positively. My presentation pace (speed) was slow, and I may had elaborated too much. However, as a presenter, you always wish you can finish your presentation magnificently. But then again, Time management is also very important especially dealing with other people.

Being positive doesn’t mean you completely feel satisfied. When the workshop ended, I just swift myself headed to the basement for lunch with some sorrow feelings. Then comes two ladies walking side by side. So we somehow talked. She asked me if I work at the Curriculum Development Department (CDD), and I said, No. She continuously asked me if I’m TESL graduate, and I said, No, too.

She complimented my presentation and thus asking me with those questions. Personally I was like: OMG, she’s making fun of my presentation especially the part in which I mispronounced a word. Or maybe she’s just being friendly and have pity, since I did not have the chance to end my presentation well. After all, the rest 9 teams have presented until their end. So its surely my bad. And it is actually unusual to get a compliment when you actually have not finished a task. lol

Whether of she is sincere or not; I will never know. But, from my end, the most important about this experience is, I need to ask how much time do I have to present my keynotes. And yeah, thank you for “listening”. :D

Early Childhood Education and Counselling foster teaching in Lower Primary

This video is old (posted in 2009) but it still help to live up my passion, when i suddenly feel lost. My interest in ECE begin while assigned to teach two Pre-School classes during my teaching practice. Well, technically I was inspired by the two of the ECE cooperative teachers. I see the different teaching styles use, and i was very curious about it. It was challenging to teach Malay phonic (literacy) coz I was more comfortable by English and it was the 1st year that they introduced Malay phonic officially (SPN21). Through observation and practical, I think i did well for a starter. Its hard (teaching about 50 pre school kids a day), but the cuteness of these little children help to overcome it. Both ECE teachers had help me a lot. Because of its excitement, I can be found at the preschool class most during my free periods.

Management, caring and fun are the keys. The same year, I helped to organise a reading room “Sehati Membaca”, and a community outreach workshop on Malay Phonic; attended by parents and the community from Belimbing and Subok Village. I worked with the best of the best of ECE expert. She is now currently the leader of ECE in Brunei Education. Am I lucky and proud? Heaven yes. Through these experience, I find my love to teach Lower Primary especially on reading. I still have respect on ECE and Counseling in my profession. Sometime you touch a student’s life through academic; but sometime its the love, caring, social intact and the good rapport with them that means a lot. Trust me, as for my own experience, being not so excellent in Chemistry subject, does not mean i can’t appreciate and love my Chemistry teachers. They are the great and always at heart.

I wish I could take this course in the future, for the great understanding of teaching children in Lower Primary. FYI, NAEYC, define ECD from 0-8 years Old. ECE psychology, care and pedagogy does not limit benefit for ONLY in Preschool. Continuous care and handling by ECE methodology is encourage towards the age of 8. However differential and increases of learning styles through age (development stage) should be expected. 1 of my interest is using ECE understanding and ICT tools for developing Critical thinking – Lower Primary learners; specifically on teaching Literacy (Reading).

Provision, why is it too much to ask?

I was only looking for provision.

A support.

Openness.

Motivation.

Yet, why is it too much to ask?

There was nothing to loose.

Leadership no room for bad reasons.

“Don’t stop, block, hindered a potential. But open, support, motivate a potential.”