It has been some time since I last dropped a blog entry in Friendster. The opportunity to write on a date that happens only once in four years makes the urge to express myself through this entry becomes more urgent. Hmm, life is pretty tough and sweet as a teacher trainee. Well, sometimes I just felt that we USM teacher trainees are not being appreciated as much as we should. The only thing that comforts me most is when my students are close with me and they are learning something from me.
Today, I was bombarded by ‘gentle complaints’ related to my way of controlling my class, 1A. Before I proceed further, just want to give you all some background information about this class. It is a sports class, meaning the students in this class are very good in sports in their batch or even better than the Form 5 batch. So, basically, we can know that they are sort of ‘active’ students. The problems occur when there are teachers who complained that they made a lot of noises during my period (which I agree partially and not absolutely depending on the situation). Below is my expression:
Life as a teacher trainee is never easy,
People commenting, people complaining,
Trainees have become the talk of the school,
When they see something ‘extraordinary’ is happening.
However, however, can you all please be more considerate,
Be more patient with us, trying to understand us,
Be more loving to the students, be more kind to them?
Do not just simply use the easy way to control your students,
“Scold them and show who is in power!”
Hello, my fellow teachers, please be more open in your mind,
New generation needs more spaces to express themselves,
You can keep their mouths shut but you can’t keep their minds interested,
So, is this what you want?
A mind which will just follow like the Digi yellowman?
Life as a teacher trainee is never easy,
‘Senior’ teachers to clarify, supervisor to satisfy,
Real life and theory are just so difficult to unify.
Haiz…it is like being crucified…
Without having a fair trial.
At least the accused has the opportunity to be represented,
To be judged according to witnesses,
So, can you please look at the actual situation,
Rather than just look at outward situation,
Before throwing your ‘well-intended-for-your-own-good’’ message?
Where are you when the class is enjoying the lesson?
Where are you when the class is silent paying attention?
Where are you when the class is trying hard to do the questions?
Where are you when the class is sharing a laughter together?
But you seemed to be only there when:
The students are making so-called noises,
The students are not paying attention,
The students are ‘expressing’ themselves (which I find it okay).
The worst that happen is:
You expect students to just be quiet and do not pose any problem (ruled by fear)
You expect students to obey you after you give them a thorough scolding (again by fear)
You expect students to ask as little as you want to minimize your trouble (old-fashioned way)
And the worst of all is:
Where is the love?
Where is the passion?
Where is the caring attitude?
Where is the ‘every child has his own good’ mindset?
My friend, 1A students are not as bad as you think even though they can be very noisy at times. Please do not pin point them just because they are ‘active’. You good at your scolding, they are good at their own fields especially sports. So, please take good care of them by nurturing them to become a better person through love and discipline. Not just only discipline! Discipline without love will just make school life so boring and moody (no wonder our education system is rotting!!)
As conclusion, I admit my short-comings but at the same time i will continue to prefer my students to be active…cheers to my teacher trainees who share the same view with me!!!
