9th October 2010 is my 1st anniversary to step to Temburong District, Brunei. While 10th October 2010 is my 1st anniversary to be working as an Elementary Teacher in a government school.
(L to R: Adi, Hasanal & Halejan at 1st Teacher Anniversary in Temburong)
A Year Ago..
While in thought thinking to blog this meaningful dates, I also thought that the most meaningful event in my life should be, is during my 1st year being an official teacher. Its a year filled with fresh experience that conquered my life. There are plenty to share about my 1st year; the awesome events and the not so awesome events. We may say that the hardship through our life journey is the most things we cherish more than the good times, but for now I would like to share the most awesome events that I could wish not or want to forget.
In a year, I survived to stay alone at the teacher’s housing scheme at Puni Village. I bought my own entertainment set, such as my TV and my BluRay player accompany by dozens of DVDs and BluRay Disc from Amazon or local retail shops. I also achieved to install a satellite subscription channels: “Astro” – well with the help of a friend name Halejan ;). Not to forget installing my air-conditioner for my bedroom and water-heater for my bathroom is the most essential stuff I could ever please ( wait – plus my Kitchen Gadgets! haha).
Meeting with my 1st year colleague in Sekolah Rendah Semabat, Temburong is awesome. The mutual bond should be highlighted here. I present their names as Hj N, Wii and Die are people I like to brag their names everyday. And I thank the Almighty for meeting me with the rest of the teachers here, especially fantastic Principal for being a fantastic leader.
While being here, I also get unique opportunity that I could highlight. The biggest opportunity was being enrolled to a 3-4 months School Leadership Program, organized by the Action Learning Association, from USA with ILIA, UBD. I think I could brag more about this, I was the youngest participants, and should not be in the group. Most of the participants was seniors teachers, who have been teaching in Brunei schools for more than a year (hehe). So I was lucky, and thanks to my Principal for selecting me for this such opportunity. It really improved myself as a leader, and indeed a lifetime experience and knowledge. I’m currently missing the AIA Team: Mr Bob Robert Knowling Jr., Evan Unger and Judy (+ Don Przygodski and Dr. Noel Tichy).
Other than that, opportunity to present in training or workshop such as for the SPN21 subjects especially: Science Subject and being one of the facilitator for Science year 2 are also one of those delightful moments (oh yeah maybe I’ll be the Year 6 Science Facilitator too, if the Science CDD want me hehe). Also, being in this training or workshop I met new people and made new friends; It’s fun and I really like it.
Being in school, the main objective is for sure about the children. Alhamdulilah.. even though I’m not yet at my absolutely best and still at my due diligence on teaching them, but I still see the improvement from one child in time. I’ll improve more once I get older in this field. It is clear, my head is still trying to understand the admin work that attached with me for the rest of my life, while at the other side and on the same time trying to improve and applied the best practices in teaching.
(L to R: Mathius, & Razif at 1st Teacher Anniversary in Temburong)
A year from now..
What I wish to accomplish last year was to be more as a listener then the one who like to talk and contribute. I would also like to maintain and continue that accomplishment. On the other hand, I also want to improve myself in term of administration and academic. Administration as in the admin work that needed to be settle down. While the academic work is to improve my teaching and care towards my children and their academic more.
Now, everyone is currently thinking about their inservice proposal. I have not yet planned on that yet. Maybe (just maybe) I am more ready after 4-7 years teaching here in Temburong. In other words, I’m not ready to leave Temburong yet. There are still a lot of things needed to improve or help. Simply saying, I like the teaching environment here. Its so peaceful too, and there are plenty to work on with the children here.
However, I still wish to continue my study, and that is a must. How I wish I could own a Phd.. But in reality, I just hope in this life time of mine I could reach and gain the Master degree. I still can’t figure out what to pursue; there are areas of choice that I could learn more. My choice of areas are English Language acquisition, Early Childhood Education and Care (with reason to teach English Language for Pre-School), Elementary Science or School Leadership and Management + Counseling or the usage of ICT in School. That’s just my current choices, maybe by 4-7 years, my option is much more clearer and slimmer than today.
Last but not least, I would like to say congratulation to my friends who enrolled to school as a teacher on 10/10/2009. I hope we can make changes in Brunei Education to become more successful and sustainability country by our own human capability as resources. Thank You again to Halejan, Razif, Adi Asmiran, Hasanal and Mathius to accompany me to celebrate our 1st anniversary as a teacher last night. I wish Hadi was available to celebrate with us. All the best guys :)
I want them to remember me good..
