Never before has so much of this world been affected by anything at all, since WW2 I guess. Even 911 did not affect the world as much. This seemingly harmless (initially) virus has caused such a breakdown in a lot of things. People are dying. People are losing their source of income. Some will have lost their jobs by now. The economy is going topsy-turvy.
From China, to Italy, Iran, South Korea, now the rest of the world. And here in Malaysia? Yes, we are not spared.
We, Malaysians, have been on Movement Control Order (MCO) since 18th March 2020. This is actually Day 6. It's not a lockdown. Just controlled movement. But it has inconvenienced the whole country. Businesses are losing lots of money. Some sectors are just going to crash, and I don't know if there is a possibility of recovery in the next 2 years. It's crazy.
So school is also on "lockdown" till 31st march. Not sure if we will be back in school on 1st April. Things seem glum. As a teacher, I have been keeping in touch with my students. I have been sending them notes and exercises. But I am worried. We were not ready for such an event too interrupt our school session. The haze that we had the last 3 years were bad enough, closing schools for a few days. This is another ballgame altogether.
My hope and prayer is that we will recover from this soon, that the virus will die down and we recover in terms of health and economy. Although things do not look too promising now, I am cautiously optimistic. And I shall hope and pray.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/23/covid-19-death-toll-rises-to-14-213-new-cases-recorded
Well, world. We shall see how things go. I will be back.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Friday, January 3, 2020
2020 - a new year
Been almost 5 years since I blogged. So many things have happened since then. Just some photos here for a start,
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Starting to change them
In SA, I used to use technology a lot with the students. We often went to the computer lab and do things. We used the email, we used blogs. We used to just have the students type things and straight away email to me. We used to have them research there and then and prepare a writing assignment. Now in USJ12, they hardly do that. Not encouraged to use the computer lab, no computers in classrooms, got TV but no connections ... it is basically back to books and board. But no, I do not accept that. So I am changing them. The students, I mean. It's going to be a long road but I am starting to get them to email me, to have class blogs and all. It's on the way. It won't be an easy route. But we'll get there.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
I surprised them, and myself
I find it extremely funny that I have been surprising the colleagues here. Though I am an experienced teacher, they didn't think that I was going to be a very able teacher. Or perhaps they just haven't encountered many teachers like me. And there ARE many, eh, Sib?
So, I think the fact that I just took over the choral speaking team from the get go, was a real surprise to them. No one thought I was going to do that, not the students, not the teachers. And certainly not the admin. Instead of assisting the teacher in charge, I ended up being THE teacher in charge (although on paper I was not). I did the script and I trained the students. In a way, I also surprised myself because I had not planned to do that. But when I agreed to help, well, those who know me just know that I would end up doing more than was expected of me. In a way I learned that I simply CANNOT be put in charge of anything really as I will BE IN CHARGE! Oh boy!
Then when I mentioned to my colleague that I did the exam paper within 2-3 days, again someone was surprised. I mean, that is how I operate. I have to quickly finish it when I have the time, and mood. ;-) And I just cannot be bothered to look through countless workbooks and reference books for suitable material. Instead, I do my own. Yes, mostly original and authentic material. I have been doing this ever since I started teaching. No biggie. But this is not what most teachers do, I guess.
So, I am in charge of another choral speaking team ... I think I am going to end up being in charge of choral speaking for a long time, here. So I wrote the script within 2 days. My colleagues were very surprised. One commented I should write books for publishing. I showed her one of my workbooks, published in 2001, I think. She was VERY surprised. Hmm ... Maybe I should have kept very quiet. There goes my plan to stay under the radar. Nope, not going to happen.
So .... where am I going with this? I guess, I am not that much of an average teacher afterall. I have done things many have not thought to do.
Looking back, I realise I have done a lot! Oh yes, I am surprised too.
So, I think the fact that I just took over the choral speaking team from the get go, was a real surprise to them. No one thought I was going to do that, not the students, not the teachers. And certainly not the admin. Instead of assisting the teacher in charge, I ended up being THE teacher in charge (although on paper I was not). I did the script and I trained the students. In a way, I also surprised myself because I had not planned to do that. But when I agreed to help, well, those who know me just know that I would end up doing more than was expected of me. In a way I learned that I simply CANNOT be put in charge of anything really as I will BE IN CHARGE! Oh boy!
Then when I mentioned to my colleague that I did the exam paper within 2-3 days, again someone was surprised. I mean, that is how I operate. I have to quickly finish it when I have the time, and mood. ;-) And I just cannot be bothered to look through countless workbooks and reference books for suitable material. Instead, I do my own. Yes, mostly original and authentic material. I have been doing this ever since I started teaching. No biggie. But this is not what most teachers do, I guess.
So, I am in charge of another choral speaking team ... I think I am going to end up being in charge of choral speaking for a long time, here. So I wrote the script within 2 days. My colleagues were very surprised. One commented I should write books for publishing. I showed her one of my workbooks, published in 2001, I think. She was VERY surprised. Hmm ... Maybe I should have kept very quiet. There goes my plan to stay under the radar. Nope, not going to happen.
So .... where am I going with this? I guess, I am not that much of an average teacher afterall. I have done things many have not thought to do.
Looking back, I realise I have done a lot! Oh yes, I am surprised too.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Almost mid way
It's now middle of May. I'm almost mid-way through the school year in this new environment. I am adjusting. Not that easy but not that difficult either.
I enjoy the students most of the time. It's been a while since I had boys in my classes. So it's one of the more challenging things. The noise level is so much higher. The mischief is also greater. But on the whole, it's not that bad.
I still do not particularly care for my colleagues. I have no close friend here. I do not feel like any of them wants to be my friend. And I don't feel like I want to be their friend either. It's a terrible thing, isn't it? 5 months and I still feel this way. I guess most people are just too busy working to actually bother about bonding.
In a way it is an advantage. I don't spend as much time yakking, and doing other things. I concentrate on work more. However, I miss the camaraderie of an English panel that works together and are ... FRIENDS. I miss that. Really.
I also feel like I am being watched. By the powers that be. By those who might have to work more closely with me in future. I don't know. It's a strange feeling. I don't know what to expect. But I have this feeling I am not going to be in the afternoon much longer. A lot of pointers to the possibility of going to the morning session. My current KP is going to retire in Jan. So there is a spot to fill in the morning. My involvement with the choral speaking team which consisted of all morning students. It's like a tester for me. Anyway, Jon is going to the morning session next year. So it's ok. But I'll miss Jeremy again.
Am I going to stay on to teach for long? I still don't know. I think probably at least another 2 years? Or maybe, as I have always said of myself, just stay on .... and before long I'll be ready to retire.
I enjoy the students most of the time. It's been a while since I had boys in my classes. So it's one of the more challenging things. The noise level is so much higher. The mischief is also greater. But on the whole, it's not that bad.
I still do not particularly care for my colleagues. I have no close friend here. I do not feel like any of them wants to be my friend. And I don't feel like I want to be their friend either. It's a terrible thing, isn't it? 5 months and I still feel this way. I guess most people are just too busy working to actually bother about bonding.
In a way it is an advantage. I don't spend as much time yakking, and doing other things. I concentrate on work more. However, I miss the camaraderie of an English panel that works together and are ... FRIENDS. I miss that. Really.
I also feel like I am being watched. By the powers that be. By those who might have to work more closely with me in future. I don't know. It's a strange feeling. I don't know what to expect. But I have this feeling I am not going to be in the afternoon much longer. A lot of pointers to the possibility of going to the morning session. My current KP is going to retire in Jan. So there is a spot to fill in the morning. My involvement with the choral speaking team which consisted of all morning students. It's like a tester for me. Anyway, Jon is going to the morning session next year. So it's ok. But I'll miss Jeremy again.
Am I going to stay on to teach for long? I still don't know. I think probably at least another 2 years? Or maybe, as I have always said of myself, just stay on .... and before long I'll be ready to retire.
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