What makes a teacher's day?

Honestly, I thought that today will be another lousy day, given the terrible 8-period day without a single break and a not so promising morning.

Well, it started off with a spot check by the DM. I was rather disappointed that one chose to play hide and seek instead of facing the consequences. I am pretty happy with the rest who got into trouble, as they just faced the music and respected the school rules. I have been quite disappointed with myself that after so many months, I still have not been able to make an impact on this particular one (actually there is another couple more). I knew he was angry as I 'turned him in' but if I did not do anything, he would not learn anything too.

My 8-period started promisingly with my 3E history. I was able to stay cool despite my unhappiness with the same group of girls again. Sometimes, I really wonder why they just don't get it? Teachers are only angry and upset when they care! When a teacher stops saying anything about your behaviour and work, it really means that you have lost the teachers' respect. It also means that he or she would rather spend the effort on the others who bother to learn. Other than the group, the rest were brilliant - well-behaved and on task! (Unfortunately, the IT failed us AGAIN!)

2nd stop was the 5As! Honestly, I like this class very much! However, today was the OFF day! I had to walk out of the class to cool down! Still, I lost it! Nonetheless, after losing my cool, I continued as though nothing happened as I was internally motivating myself to think of the really nice girls in the class.

Next was the 4E History class. I have always found this class really challenging. This is because I have a number of boys who have openly declared (though not in front of me) that they have given up on combined Humanities. Initially, I was really upset by them as they simply 'switched off' in class and disrupt my class. Despite getting the HODs involved, they still refused to change. I tried to change my approach too. I offered to give them extra lessons to help them, but apparently, they just treated my offer like a passing wind and even skipped my tutorials. So much for being kind. Anyway, now I have rationalised everything. I guess they are just bad time managers who cannot even handle the bare minimum. Coincidentally, these group of people also happen to have no CCAs. Is it because they are really that busy? Or they simply do not have that resilience and ability? Anyway, that was a side track. I was saying that the classwas ok today because of the girls again. I am really proud of the girls (and a few boys) in this class. They really came back despite having a difficult Sec 3 year. Their initiative and determination really won my respect and I really do not mind going all out to help them along. I know they will do well as long as they do not give up! (To Mr ELEPHANT, I am glad that I put you right in front as I know that you have learnt at least something today)

The final lesson was with another 5A class. Despite only taking over the class in June, I really like them very much. Think chekgu has done a great job guiding them. They were very understanding as they knew that I had the dreadful 8-period day and really cooperated, except for my cartoon characters in the centre. Trust me, I will make sure that you guys sit on the floor when you misbehave again!

You think the day is finally over, right? Well, not so! The icing of the cake came in the afternoon. I had tutorial with 2 Sec 3E history girls (and 1 boy). I am really glad to have that session with them as I have always respected pupils who takes initative. (Although in the case, they did not take the entire initiative) This really made my day as I know that I have helped them today.

After the rather long tutorial, with a number of interruptions, I went to meet the student leaders. It was a nice break from the staffroom as I was 'hanging out' in their clubhouse. I am really happy to see the school developing student leadership. I have been speaking about this for years and finally it has materialised. (haha...I have been speaking and not doing as I did not want to be 'shot') I think the current Sec 3s have a lot of potential. But they need to stay level-headed and always remember to do the right thing.

By the time I returned to staffroom, it was 4.30pm. Surprisingly, I was able to stay focused and finished quite a bit of my work till knock off time at 6.30pm.

So, what makes a teacher's day? Enthusiasm, initiative, positivity and lots of encouragement.

Motivation

This is a rather busy week, one again. But what makes this week really meaningful is the interaction I has with a few students.

She is often tired in class and falls asleep many times during lessons (but I know she does have some circumstances that caused her to be so tired) . Finally, I lost my final straw and asked her to sit up. Never did I know that that day, she was really sick. She was down with flu and cough and she came to school instead of taking MC as she did not want to stay home as she knew she would not be able to get the rest that she needed. After my outburst, she totally went quiet and she was angry with me. After I found out the truth, I decided to drop her a letter as we used to exchange notes a lot when she was in my form class last two years. I glad I apologise to her and wrote the letter. I saw her first sign of effort today! She managed to stay awake during my lesson today and we had a short remediation session to catch up on her History.

He is often distracted, playful and talkative in class. Finally, I lost it earlier this week when his pencil case came flying in my direction while I was writing on the board. Well, my first instinct was to really put a stop to this. Using my 'creativity' (a must when coming up with punishment in my school), I emptied the pencil case and hid all the items away in different. He was really MAD and refused to talk to me after lesson when he went around collecting his things. I approached him and he kept quiet. It was only after some probing before I found out the pencil was not thrown by him. I felt really bad. Nonethless, I told him to go back first and I stayed for a while to look for his missing pen which I found ultimately. The pen did not have any ink refill. When I returned to him the pen and gave him a new pen refill, there were no words of thanks nor any response from either of us. He just started doing his work.

Spoke to her this morning. This was after her friends alerted me yesterday that she has given up on her studies and lost all hopes in promoting to Sec 4. I was very disappointed upon hearing this and decided that I need to speak to her. Likewise, she was in my form class for the last two years, but not this year. I did speak her earlier this year to see how she is coping but since this beginning this term, I have no time to really sit down with her. I knew that this cannot wait. During the chat, I found out that her friends were right. She has lost all confidence. What I am glad is that at the end of the conversation, I knew that she is going to make the final dash. Whether she makes it or not, she is not going to leave it up to fate. I hope that her friends will help her and support her through these 8 weeks. 加油！

He was scribbing on some paper when I was carrying out a group activity. Took his paper away and told him to do his work. He simply said, ' I do not want to do it...you p***** me off'. That ticked me off. But refusing to confront, I simply told him to do his work and by the end of the lesson, I want to hear an apology. After a few minutes, I went back to his table and returned him the paper when he was still not doing his work. I coolly informed that I was disappointed and it was rude for him to comment that. Told him that after hearing what he said, I certainly felt the same way too. I walked off and after a while, he started doing his work. Before the end of the lesson, I went to his desk again and corrected his work and extorted the apology.

This week really seemed like a struggle of power between the students and myself. When such circumstances happen, it will simply drain the energy out of us. The takeaway is certainly something that we as social engineers often forget. We also make mistakes, there is no point blaming ourselves for the mistakes made. What is important is our effort to make things right. It is also about relations building and both side will need to learn to give way and compromise. I am glad that my students are willing to overlook my shortcomings and I am able to do the same too.

I am very proud...

Have been scratching my head, fretting over how should I continue after the first entry. Honestly, I have been so tired after weeks of staying behind in school, lesson preparations, 'baby-sitting' that everything seemed to have passed me by in a flash. But there is one event that I really must put a record to that. The success of choir at the Commendation Day last week!

After weeks of preparation and all the ups and the downs (due to costumes issues, technical bloopers and mess up), the final performance was indeed a success! For the first time, I could hear the audience truely cheering for the choir after a shaky start. The 3rd song was really the turn around. I could sense that the choir enjoyed singing the song and the audience enjoyed listening to them! See? Didn't I tell you guys that you have to be confident of yourselves (not complacent) and you MUST enjoy yourself before you want the audience to enjoy your performance! Kudos to every single one of you! Despite the initial unhappiness about the strict discipline rules and firm decisions, but I know it would pay off and I think it has. Most of you did not give major problems and really cooperated. Ms Chua is really touched and happy for the choir! Good job everyone! Believe in yourself! Do look forward to the end of the year project!