The Malaysian Ministry of Education has created new posts in the organization in order to strengthen the efficiency of teaching-and-learning sessions in the classes. The post, dubbed as School Improvement Specialist Coaches or affectionately known by the acronyms of SISC+ are usually filled by senior and good teachers of Masters’ Degree holder and undoubtedly with vast knowledge in respective fields. Their tasks are to go to schools appointed and to impart and share knowledge with teachers on how to create a better impact teaching-and-learning sessions held during classes. On my sentiment, I feel this one of Ministry’s RARE good policy created, amidst other ‘ridiculous filings’ shenanigan – as it focuses on the process in the classes itself; involving only TEACHER & STUDENTS; minus all the documentations & data bureaucracies that we, Malaysian teachers are being bombarded to the extreme degree!

For me, I think this is Ministry’s RARE brilliant ideas as it focuses on our clientele, which are the pupils rather than too consumed with endless documentations & filings shenanigan! For me, the presence of SISC+ officers bring good opportunity to tap more knowledge although I can sense and vouch that some of senior teachers can be quite “egoistic” when an officer comes in to assist. It shouldn’t be like that. We all should be positive & open-minded to receive new info for improvement. At least, for me! (,”)

Like usual, I already have a hunch that I’ll be selected, or rather my name will be appointed (somehow, you just know that) but of course, I took it as a positive learning experience I could tap from a senior. The Hulu Selangor SISC+ officer who was to monitor me was Puan Shahnaaz Mehtab Akhtar Ali. I’ve got to familiarize with her during KSSR English Course held circa end of June this year and she also taught at my friend, Rozaimi’s school at SK Kampung Sungai Buaya. Today, I have :-

• 2 periods of Science with 4 Bayu (7.40 a.m. – 8.40 a.m.);
• 2 periods of English with 4 Mega (9.10-10.10 a.m);  and
• 3 periods of English with 4 Purnama (11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.)

As usual, the kids were very super-excited when it comes to group work projects!

; so, she decided o enter the 3 periods of English with 4 Purnama. Initially, she was deliberating whether to enter my class or Kak Halina’s class but since I blurted out that I wasn’t an English-option teacher, she decided to enter my class. So, bring it on! Haha!

The “garden landscape” prepared by the group Frozen! Hahaha! Pavithra, the leader of Frozen is undeniably a girl who is “go-for-it”. Always tries the best to elevate her abysmal group’s performance! 

A bee in the making? Or a dragonfly? Haha!

So, for today’s lesson, I decided to do the ‘Creating Insect Model’ with 4 Purnama under the topic “The Insect Investigators”. Supposedly, 4 Purnama was slated to the activity last week along with 4 Mega BUT due to their negligence in doing homework & unsatisfactory quality of exercises, I have decided to CANCEL the activity as a penalty to the whole class until they produced good homework!

Frozen presenting their insect model; apparently a bee.

Frankly speaking, it was just a casual teaching for me. I wasn’t really that orchestrated (I mean, come on, of course we do! It’s like someone is interfering our domain, right? Hahaha!) and had fun with the kids. I recalled previous lesson’s content on labeling the body parts of insect such as Head, Thorax, Abdomen, Wings & Compound Eyes ; and resort to the reinforcement activity which is to produce the insect model with labeling. So, basically my Learning Objective as per in my “Buku Latihan Pengajaran” (which is like a Bible to Malaysian teachers. If you lost is, you HAVE TO LODGE POLICE REPORT!! No kidding!) today will be :-

“By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to label the body parts correctly.”

Godzilla presenting their model; a bee with a beehive! Splendid!

And as usual, the kids did their presentations and the usual Question-and-Answer session; which is actually an ordinary class of Shahrill Ramli (the way I conduct the class).

Superstriker with their ambitious models (more than one!) – dragonfly & bee.

As for professional discussion subsequent to the lesson, I feel like it is a great opportunity for me to elevate myself from Puan Shahnaaz’s advices. She said overall, it was an interesting lesson and to find that a non-English option to deliver the class with that momentum is somewhat exhilarating, as in comparison to some of the even English option teachers but with frail command of the language (I am not going to delve on that). Nevertheless, there are areas I could improve (I mean of course there will be flaws for documentation purposes as well as the normalcy of “coaching concept”, you know!) such as :-

• I should be relaxed at the beginning of the class; not to be too stressed or too composed on the presence of an officer by abruptly starting out the lesson; do the usual simple things like let the pupils settle down first, ensure their class is in clean condition, acknowledge them on writing day, dates and titles on whiteboard (I know for non-teachers who are reading this, this must sound very awkwardly TRIVIAL, right? But, welcome to the world of primary school teaching!);
• I should use a SIMPLIFIED language because my language is quite sophisticated and I talked fast; it is hard for pupils to digest – I always have that problem because I am a very linguistic person and you can vouch that from my writing and my participation in public speaking, elocution, etc AND what’s more now as I am doing Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications, I am channeling my corporate persona even more vigorous than ever (writing the proposals, doing slide shows of presentations, etc) – and then when I come back to school, I have to automatically SWITCH OFF THAT HIGH-LEVEL ENGLISH and resort to the simplified primary level!;
• I should do some Reflections of the lesson which I didn’t get to do just now due to time constraint as we were so engrossed with the Question-and-Answer session after Presentation.

Harry Potter, with 3 of group member absent; still managed to come out with a beetle model.

Nevertheless overall, class management & teacher’s attentive towards pupils are good. Of course for documentation purpose, she will be coming back or I’ll just give her a call so that, we could improve on that 3 aspects. To sum up the first observation was the comment in my lesson plan :-

“Well-prepared lesson plan. Good and keep it up!!”

Spiderman with Tasha as the leader, presenting their ant model. So cute! Tasha is always a brilliant pupil as well; always want to try to converse in English, always want to share her daily observation related to the syllabus; always creative and brave with high self-confidence!

I aim to do the best I can for my pupils and my responsibility as a Malaysian teacher, before either I quit or “Bercuti Tanpa Gaji” to further PhD. That is the aim I have to take and from my tete-a-tete with my faculty’s Dean yesterday, Prof. Madya Dr. Muati along with my coursemate, Kak Ti; I have found one channel to could possibly elevate my transition. Nevertheless, time will tell, Insya ALLAH. Amin.

The comment for the 1st Observation – well, more like assisting. It’s great professional tete-a-tete!

Today, I want to share my experience about The Power of Forgiveness. As the last child of the family, I grow up being a pampered child; not spoiled; but more like self-centered, selfish and Kiasu person. From a Microbiology degree holder to my first work as a banker, the idea of that “the world should be revolving around me” or “I am the Center of Universe’s Attention” is so apparent UNTIL I switch my profession as a teacher. From 2010, I started my journey as a teacher and from that moment, I have learned so much about the meaning of being humble and also to show compassion and love to people, especially to those who are younger than me because as the last child, I never knew how to entertain kids and I even hated kids! But with the instinct as teacher arose and when my nephew, Rifqi Naufal was born, I began to learn how to love.

The story is uprooted way 2 months ago. The whole school was busy at the school field and since I was the MC, so naturally I was very occupied. But suddenly, I received a call from office that there was a suspect trying to steal money from my wallet (I put it inside my working case at Teachers’ Room – caught in the act by Kak Ani, one of the clerks!). I was shocked to know that the boy was a pupil that I have been teaching English AND I had a small talk and greeted by him on that particular morning!! How shocking was it??! I am the a stern teacher indeed but I am also a friendly one. I greet pupils and sometimes they greet me and it is a natural bond for pupils and teacher, no? This boy is undeniably naughty and mischief BUT I never thought until the extend of STEALING!! 

First round of interrogation, he was adamant of being innocent and even took an oath saying that if he lied, his parents would be rammed tragically by lorry (See?!). My colleagues were dissatisfied and used another approach. We use the policemen approach and after some provocations (long story, I just want to cut it short!), he was crying and admitted he had the intention of stealing my money (the clerk saw him counting the money in my wallet and before he could do anything, he was caught!). I WAS SO FRUSTRATED by him because half of my heart prayed that he didn’t do it as he was quite an approachable pupil to me!! 

I was so angry to the boy. I will not disclose what I did to him in front of the class as you know these days, illogical Malaysian Ministry of Education’s rules and regulation on disciplining children (ridiculous!) but it was very intense. Yes, I may seem like a meek and demure teacher for those who never knew me but as one of Discipline Teachers in my school, I have a reputation for being fierce and dramatic (throwing chairs, books; stamping the desk and whiteboard) amongst the pupils and the canes I usually bring will be worn off; usually I will use 3-4 canes per year. All because I felt so frustrated with this boy who had abused the trust I have given to him as a teacher. I felt betrayed that my friendliness was given in turn, a poison!

From then on, I decided to alienate the boy in my English class of 5 Purnama, refused to let him partaking in any activities; refused to check his works, refused to even acknowledged his presence. 

This radio channel is good. Apart from its religious-contents, it is also full with wisdom words and motivational talks that can be inspiring. And the DJs are all with good words; no bad mouthing or any razor-mouths attitude. All sooth to the hearts and ears.

I continued that for the past 2 months UNTIL……….yesterday, 20th August 2014. I was driving to Batang Kali to buy dinner when I heard in IKIM.fm (yes, I listen to this channel these days!) about a segment of education world from Islamic perspective, I think. The moderator, an Ustaz said that :-

As a teacher; sometimes we feel annoyed or frustrated or even felt insulted with whatever behaviours that our pupils/students may demonstrate. Yes, teachers also human and deserved to feel angry BUT the pupils/students are still learning. As hard as it is (it is easier for non-teachers to say “Forgive & Forget”; they don’t know how hard and insulting to have pupils betraying you), teachers MUST LEARN TO FORGIVE. Perhaps from the forgiveness, the pupil will be led astray from the evil path and be goaded to the good path?

I have to say that when I heard that, I was “slapped”! I thought that it is ALLAH’s way to tell me to BEND THE EGO! What good can I reap by alienating this boy? Sure, I was angry and I was sad BUT am I happy doing that? Denying his right to learn and to redeem himself? Sure he had bad track records of even stealing RM100 at Sekolah Agama but will I ever find any peace if I still being egoistic and refuse to teach him? God has entrusted me as an educator and to alienate him means I have not fulfill my responsibility that God has entrusted me with! I actually owing to ALLAH SWT and the boy!

I became restless. And so happened that yesterday was my last day of “6 Days Fasting During Syawal” and I reflected myself. I thought, this is it; I have to repent myself. So, today before I began the activity in 5 Purnama, I called the boy in front of the class and explained the whole revelation. I asked him why didn’t he apologized from me; at first he was stoned cold (yes, he is known for being quite stubborn) & then I began to touch about my responsibility to God, Islam and also my pupils and I myself said that as a teacher, I OWE HIM AN APOLOGY for denying his right to study because of my anger and hatred and I don’t want to be penalized by ALLAH SWT in the AfterLife for that.

Suddenly, the boy CRIED!The whole class was sombre at that moment (although they were excited when I entered as they wanted to do group work!). I myself was overwhelmed by that and I touched his head saying that I also forgave him for whatever he had done. He asked for my forgiveness and I told him NOT TO REPEAT IT AGAIN. I told the class why I did that :-

“Some of you may found this laughable. BUT know this! Perhaps when Sir does this, it can deviate your friend from continue doing wrong things. Hopefully, your friend here has repent. Who knows what I am doing now could be a changing point from a burglar to a Prime Minister?”

When I am done, I felt so RELIEVED. Alhamdulillah. I think it is God’s way to tell me that I have to that. I am so grateful for that. Alhamdulillah for the instinct and I do feel the inner peace inside. You know like a dialogue in Mulan  – “A single grain can tip the scale; one man is a difference between victory and defeat”. Who knows if my forgiveness is the catalyst for changes in his future? Nobody knows for sure, but ALLAH HU AKBAR. God is Great!

OK, nothing fancy on this entry. Just want to jot down what happened yesterday. Quite a shocker for me, though. In 2012, all of Malaysian teachers who are teaching English (either you are an Optionist or Non-Optionist, like me!) were made compulsory to sit for Cambridge Placement Test (REFER to my entry at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/zealous-phase-in-teachers-calendar-part-v-charity-dinner-serendah-community-hall-cambridge-placement-test-the-compulsory-online-test-for-all-malaysian-english-teachers/). So naturally, I have to sit for the exam although my option is Science!

I am both! I guess the hybrid of both right & left brain hemispheres do justice, after all. Haha!

I thought it was just another data pool for the Ministry so I wasn’t really focusing on the test. 2 years passed and yesterday, I just learned from my colleague that the result was out. I was like “OK…..no big deal” but then I heard that Government is giving incentive to those who scored C2 (Mastery) & C1 (Effective Proficiency) whereas the lower bands like B2 & B1 are not enlisted. Since I am :-

• Science teacher ;
• I am not really confident with my Queen’s English (Yes, I can speak and write well but I am not really a grammar lover. I just express my thoughts casually);
• I have bad experience in Listening Test because I hate focusing on the fake diction aired via the recorder – example MUET. That’s why I merely got Band 4!;
• I don’t fancy British accent with its thick and tongue-swallow & throaty pronunciation. Americanized slang is much easier to absorb; perhaps due to Hollywood influence, etc

– I don’t put high hope on the test! But when I checked, I scored C1 which is “Effective Proficiency”, so I was like…….. OK! Alhamdulillah! Hahaha!

I guess it’s the way that ALLAH SWT wants to help me to alleviate my financial woes in pursuing Master’s Degree in UPM (well, UPM is quite costly with each credit values of RM200!). With the incentive of RM3,000, Alhamdulillah, I guess I can cover the payment for at least a semester.

Alhamdulillah. God is Great, ALLAH Hu Akbar! (,”)