Being a teacher is kinda fun.
Bangga weh my UPSR students contact me to tell me they manage to
answer all questions well.
Haha sorry, just a
little over excited. Alhamdulillah.
Experience as a teacher is about to end within a week cause soon I'll be called back to further my studies.
For a start, I don’t think people acknowledge how
nerve-wrecking it is being a teacher to kids these days. They’re simply differ
than handling other things which requires appeal letters etc. It’s easier to
handle a CSR program than kids. But never wrong to challenge your patience
aite?
Well, as hard as it is like taking 15 minutes to really keep
all students in class to quiet down, it’s an enjoyable work. Really.
It’s been nearly 2 months of teaching never once I didn’t
favour educating these little fellas. Being applied as a biology teacher, not
many ask for biology classes so I had to fill up the other students besides
upper form mostly –which is good because the last few classes I taught who are
only one or two years younger was funny because everyone seemed awkward.
On the other hand, the kids are just so crazy. I don’t know
how people would want to apply such things like strictness, yelling etc to them
but reality is the only way you want to teach them a lesson is to be like them.
Regardless of age, everyone loves sweets. Some kids just
come closer to you holding the end of your blouse asking for candy. Doesn’t
matter from kindergarten to form 3, no one seems to bother with the idea of it.
In fact, they would really perform in class just because you say you brought a
large packet of lollipops that night.
Being with kids just feels like a kid yourself.
For once you can talk just about fairytales, give them those
insights on adult life, answer all their silly questions about yourself, teach
them with imagination, being offered endless food and snacks, laugh at their
jokes, getting free hugs and most importantly results in more love towards science
nestled in their hearts.
Dealing with my students, I do have to say they’re just
adorable. Well, the primary school ones. The secondary ones were fully
negotiated with whatever you teach them you just have to do something to break
the silence so they won’t feel awkward asking anything.
Hakim and Salman.
These two are best friends who often tease each other in class. They're so hard-working and playful at the same time. Still keeps in contact since they are taking their UPSR today.
You just don’t have the guts to be mad at them so you find
other alternatives to get their attention. Make the best of your performance in
teaching, they’ll have their attention you, no doubt. Just, well, be a little
crazy.
Even spent a few minutes hearing each and one of them talk
in front of class about their dreams and aspirations. Only a few wished to
become a doctor, but their reasons are just surprisingly due to curiosity.
Look at their eyes, one by one, they have such innocence to
whatever the world tends to hold against them. Their excitement to learn and
ask without hesitation, that makes any teacher more relieved. That happy
feeling when your students call your name.
"Teacher Afff"
"Cikgu Afrinaa"
Honestly, I don’t remember to be looked at with such big
eyes, sweetest smile, gentleness of a whole bunch of children at the same time.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a girl or boy, all the kindness you tend to pour they
simply appreciate, apologizing whenever they can’t focus etc.
Sometimes all the sudden you become a superstar whose
signature and words of encouragement are compulsory to be written down on their
papers. After class after 10, they’ll politely ask to excuse themselves to go
back. Some would wait and accompany you while you check on other rooms for any
sights of people before closing off all the lights.
Who says being a teacher is easy? The lesson is easy,
grabbing their attention isn’t. Kids these days are quite louder than the kid
you used to be back in childhood years. Different era, differ way of educating.
These three never fails to brighten up the class. CR, Jeff and Haziq.
(would love to show you the girls but since some of them are non-hijab yet, don't think showing here would be a good idea especially when they will grow up)
Play games with them about science, give your best talks
about the importance of the topic, get all of them to speak out loud in class,
leave them space to think and ask even the slightest silly questions, do anything
besides being obsessed with your own voice. If you notice that being gentle in
teaching works, then never ever raise your voice –if, you have the guts to do
it anyway.
I once brought my anatomy model to class and explained them
one by one of all our organs you should’ve seen their eagerness of knowing it
and how it functions.
No matter how lazy or playful they are, engage and be a
great storyteller.
Give them information and a bigger picture besides what’s
stated in the textbooks.
In fact, their crave of your presence in their class is just
a wonderful feeling –knowing you’re doing it right. The only people who knows
my phone password besides mum is them haha it’s just thrilling to check the
phone after class to see so many selfies of these energized students. They
always make my day. However, I do question myself why they keep pinching my cheeks a lot.
Out of the blue sneak to the admission office
to get my number. They’ll text playfully like every 10-year old would it leaves
me laughing in the middle of a family gathering. Whatever it is, I wish all
these amazing young people the best in their academics and life.
I don’t think I’ll ever find a situation where I can run
around the room telling about science like some action movie thriller or shower
kids with candy while they study. To have brilliant minds expressing their
thoughts without shame in front of their class. To see them grow making the
best of their lives. To kiss the girl’s on the forehead and tap gently on the
boy’s head after class ends.
2 months is not enough but well, you never appreciate
something if you keep having intact when the same thing all time right? Cheeky
as it sounds but reality is, it’s just fun to be able to run from the seriousness
of what people expects you to be as a young adult once in a while.
Teaching your students with the ability to captivate them is
great. And yes, even if it means being a little far from sane ;)
