Making Memories

This song reminds me of those who've walked in to my life and who've certainly left their footprints in my heart...

People often complain what a small world we've got. But I rather have it small and have met you than have it so big but missed knowing you...

Thank you & Take care!

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!!!

Finally I'm able to have one week break! I'm just so looking forward to this!

The second half April of mine was spent worrying about the school conditions as many of our kids especially the 5&6 yrs were spread with Coxsackie viruses. Condemn from parents as they are not being informed regarding the spread. I put myself to blame as I'm not alert of all this. I'm truly sorry. So each morning, I drag my sleepy self to school early for some cleaning with dettol especially the common area. Strictly no outdoors activities for the children and get the teachers to check on the children every morning - body temperature, any blisters in the throat and on the tongue, gums, hard palate, inside of the cheeks, and the palms of hands and soles of the feet.

Next is that, I lost my father Olympus camera in school. Sad, feel bad and guilty. I'm very sure that someone has taken as I know I didn't misplace it. I last kept it in my backpack before I left to pick up an afternoon session's girl and I place my backpack in the teacher's room. So who've taken it? It couldn't be children, they are not allowed to enter the teacher's room and if one of the child have taken the other will definitely report it. Later on I found that I lost my HSBC freebie watch as well, should be the same day because I've taken out my watch and keep in my bag when I want to bath the children...suspicious... who ever it is... I wish you well with all the four letters word I can think of!!!

My May was irritated by two new comers, a teacher and an officer.

1. Two new comers
The first is a boy came in early of May, he kept crying as expected, but then vomited for few days consequently.
Second was a girl, pretty stubborn in behavior, just turn 3, came in one week before this term break. Cry, kick, stamped her feet, refuse to eat...
I understand they need time to normalize...

2. A teacher
This teacher with her previous history and others' reminders have kept me beware of her. She'll forever stuck with lots of unsolvable problems and then blame it on others. So now she is complaining that the family wasn't helping her out as she currently having transport problem to school. (I'm giving her a lift from school to the nearest bus stop then she balik sendiri) So sometimes she didn't turn up, at times she is late... I dunno what to expect from her. With that I'll have to take over her class, combines hers and my children together... this is no so bad but what's worse is adding on with the two new comers. I have headache.

3. An officer
An officer from Jabatan Jemaah Nazir unexpectedly stepped in on 21.05.7 Monday for inspection on school compounds, teachers, syllabus and etc. I'm worried to death as I dunno how to handle for all the things he requested - lots of official documents incomplete, insufficient of teachers, teachers doesn't prepare their daily lesson plan, timetable arrangement inconsistent with the requirement of the education department......Taken up whole day... called for help... luckily most of the things went through well especially when he saw the interactions and reactions of the children.

With that, I really need a break!!!

Well shake it up baby now! Twist and shout....

March of The Journey

For each reunion I had with my friends (those really long time no see one), they seems to be surprise when they came to know that I'm working as a kindergarten teacher. For sure, time will be spend feeding their curiosity regarding this decision of mine till at times I find myself having doubt in trusting ME, myself either ... "Are you really that great, that caring, that loving?" But I'll usually console myself ... never mind, don't bother what they said, whatever I do, I'm contributing to save humanity... as somebody quoted long time ago - " Never doubt the power of one person to change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has..." (walau mimpi lagi jauh!!) How did I get myself into believing that, I, some day will stand and fight for humanity?!!

It actually gets into me when I'm in my final year of studies that I find myself started to feel insecure about my own future. I actually surf online to search for the answers to the insecure feelings of mine till I came across the article which I've posted long long ago. They called it the quarter-life crisis. It made me feel much comfortable about my fears, it's still there but just not that troublesome and disturbing anymore. I'm not sure about the others as I'm not that open in sharing what's in me and, like wise.

By then, I was introduce to many great philosophers under the course of Organizational Behaviour. It was taught by a charming lecturer, Ms. Ong whom I respect very much for all that she is. She is very much like one great philosopher that I admire very much- Maria Montessori.

Carried away by their charms, I then sign up for a diploma in Montessori Childhood Education to further understand the life, work, philosophy, achievements and many more stuffs of Montessori. And now, am working as a teacher to practice for what I've learned as well as to find out how true Montessori's findings are. I've not finished the course yet, the usual case, it takes time to complete the assignments when it's a corresponding course.

Trust me, I'm just so lazy to write the assignments even with all the passions I have...

This and today just match so well... again, it made me feel lazy...

So Much More Than A Job

Dream Job: Preschool Teacher
Working with kids and helping them become good students might produce priceless results. However, early-childhood education is rarely a lucrative field.

Playing for Pay
Pam Gamble spends her days rattling off the alphabet and counting aloud to 10, smeared to her elbows in finger-paint and knee deep in four-year olds. "We get to play all day," she said. "We get to paint and run, get messy, and be creative - anything a four-year-old can imagine we try to make into reality."
Gamble has been teaching preschool at the Country Day School in McLean, Va. for almost two years. In addition to leading classes in the intricacies of the ABCs and simple mathematics, she helps young children become good students for the future. She serves not only as a teacher, but also as a role model, disciplinarian, big sister, and caretaker rolled into one, helping children clear academic and social hurdles with open arms.
And for all her efforts, her little clients embrace her - literally. "One of the best parts of the jobs is getting hugs from the kids, and being part of their lives," said Gamble. "They're always so eager to tell us things."

A hands-on experience for all

Preschool programs differ across the country. Some teachers go it alone before a roomful of tots, while others, like Gamble, work as part of a team of teachers to ensure one-on-one contact with the students. However, the free-form educational experience Gamble conducts lends itself to a multitude of small-group activities concentrating on specific subjects, ranging from reading and writing to baking and acting."We try to stay outside as much as possible, so the kids have time to run and explore the world around them while interacting with each other," said Gamble. "They learn more that way than they ever would from us lecturing to them."
It may sound like fun and games on the surface, but life lessons are interwoven into this interactive learning experience. "Our kids ran their own restaurant, making and serving food to the rest of the school," said Gamble. "We keep animals on the grounds and the kids help take care of them." So as the children make cookies and feed chickens, they learn about proportions (from the baking ingredients) and anatomy (just where did that egg come from?).

Teachers learn too, but it's not for everyone

Before Gamble began teaching she worked in educational software. She knew that being tied to a desk wasn't for her, so she started to actively pursue teaching opportunities while working on her master's in gifted education.
Gamble learns new things every day thanks to her curious clientele. "I think the most powerful thing you can tell children is, 'I don't know - let's find out,'" Gamble said. "It lets them see that you learn all your life, and that adults don't really know everything!"
Most states require that preschool teachers have at least a two-year associate's degree in early childhood education. Gamble recommends that aspiring teachers also expose themselves to the craft as early and as often as possible. "Volunteer, work with after-school groups, get all the experience you can get," she said. "Make sure it's what you want to do - don't just sit in a class and think about it!"
Getting practical experience is recommended for any aspiring professional, but it makes all the difference for fledgling teachers. "It's very different once you're in there with the kids. A huge percentage of teachers quit after the first year," continued Gamble. Indeed, according to Recruiting New Teachers, Inc., a nonprofit trade organization, 30 to 50 percent of new teachers quit within the first five years.

Creating better students for the future

Working with kids and helping them become good students might produce priceless results. However, early-childhood education is rarely a lucrative field. "I became a teacher for the money," Gamble joked with a verbal wink. "Seriously, I've always loved kids and I feel like I'm good at getting down to their level and communicating with them."
According to Salary.com, the average preschool teacher in the United States earns $22,000, while an average kindergarten teacher earns $45,000. However, some schools, like Gamble's, are well funded by hefty tuitions and annual auctions, resulting in better wages for the teachers. A basic explanation for the overall pay disparity may be found in the general perception of preschools. Some parents and politicians see preschool as a form of glorified daycare, and many states do not subsidize preschools. This is slowly being turned around as numerous studies show that preschools can help create better students.
One such report was released in 2000 by the National Center for Education Statistics. It found that children who enter kindergarten without basic "school-readiness" skills (recognizing letters and numbers, understanding letter-sound relationships, and demonstrating an understanding of relative size and number ordinality) are often able to become school-ready by the end of the year. However, students who arrive with this basic knowledge often acquire more advanced skills (recognizing words by sight; addition and subtraction), leaving them better prepared for grade school. Attending preschool may help place children in the latter group, resulting in better academic performance in the long run.

Beyond traditional compensation

Although preschool teachers receive modest wages in exchange for their hard work and dedication, there are some unexpected perks. "You get lots of stuff for free or at discounts at stores," said Gamble. All you have to do is provide proof of your occupation to participating shops. "We also get pretty good holiday gifts," she continued.
While teaching young children can be fun, it's a daunting task with long-term consequences for the students. Gamble strives to make her students' preschool experience a positive one. "Someone asked me once whether I remembered my first teacher," said Gamble. 'Of course I do - everyone does,' I replied. Then they said, 'Think about all the kids in your class. Someone will ask them that question one day, and they'll think of you.'"
A heavy responsibility for a beginning teacher to bear, no doubt, but Gamble wholeheartedly embraces it. "I don't know if that makes it a dream job, but I think that's pretty cool!"
So, if you don't mind painting with your fingers, sounding out vowels, and singing along to the same songs over and over, grab a lesson plan...and dream on!
- Regina M. Robo, News Editor

http://www.salary.com/careers/layouthtmls/crel_display_Cat10_Ser175_Par275.html

First Field Trip

To sum up the theme "Travelling by Air", we've organized a trip to the Flying Academy joined by the other two centres. It's my first time out with kids and it's also my first time to the flying academy. Full attendance, everyone was so excited especially the 5&6 yrs. The directors pick us with their Pajeros We depart at 9am.

Greeted by the management, lead by few cadet pilots. They did lots of explanation but i don't think any teachers bother to listen as our eyes are stick on each child. Off and on the cadet were interrupted by teachers' "Nope, Stop that!, behave yourself!, watch out!, walk together!" But all in all, the children were excited, they get to sit in the aircraft to feel and experience the cockpit and pose for pictures. They teachers and directors were pleased by the children's reaction and all the things they learned through out this theme as they are able to named all the things they see - airplane, runway, control tower, pilot, cockpit, hangar, take off, landing.

Return back to school for morning dismissal.

During teachers' meeting, was informed that two children throw marbles into the the toilet... Sigina, nothing else better to do! Will think of a way to make them pick all the marbles out tomorrow...

A Bit Poorly...

So the first week was a total disaster...

Handling baby class, new comers crying, water being spilt, one Dracula bite and the other baby was crying in pain. Felt so helpless and sorry, things happened to fast and it's out of control.

Kneeling down the whole day, catching and chasing after them. Repeating the same old nursery that they requested but then left you sing alone...

I'm just so down down disappointed... Can I be that great either? Replacing the 'O' to 'G'... delusion...

Keep up the faith!

First Day

My first day at the kindergarten with the babies (2-3yrs).

Report in at 7.30am.

8.00am: Children arrivals + fees collection + being introduce to parents

8.30am: Gather children to change into shoes + assembly at the field (greetings + national anthem + raise flag + school song) + PE + Games

9.00am: Gardening: Observation (walk around the garden + name the tree + get to know the garden's friends + match the flower and leaves to its plant + feel the ground/grass)

9.30am: Nursery Rhymes (sing along: twinkle twinkle little star, baa baa black sheep, old Mc Donald, school song, insy winsy spider) + round and round the garden's finger play + ants hill by I-pen

10.00am: Morning tea break (lead them to wash hands + settle down at canteen + serve the food + say prayers + eat)

10.30am: Cleaning up (put away the plates and cups) + back to classroom (bring put toothpaste & brush) + brush teeth at the common area

10.50am: Thematic lesson - travelling by air (enrichment on flashcard + introduce luggage and bag tag + the difference between pull and push) + play lazzie set (build aeroplane)

11.30am: Morning session dismissal (prepares the child + change into shoes + queue them to the waiting are + send them off)

11.45am: Bath the day care children + set their mattress + cozy up the room

12.00pm: Lunch with the children

12.30pm: Cleaning up + brush teeth + make them milk

1.00pm: Put them to sleep

2.00pm: Teacher's daily meeting + lessons preparation

3.00pm: Wake up the children + afternoon tea break

3.30pm: afternoon activities resume (BM/Chinese lesson)

5.00pm: Prepare the children + send them off

6.00pm: Pack for home

Two new commers: April & Jolin

Jolin went back at 12.30pm, cried non-stop since morning.

I'm tired. What will be tomorrow?

Down by The Sally Garden

A great voice to match a great song and poem.

Lyrics by Yeats, the greatest Irish poet;
Sung by Emi Fujita, Japanese singer.

Moving On...

So I waved goodbye to the previous job and transferring myself into another industry... cross fingers, no regrets, I've slightly tasted the sales and marketing part of business... doesn't really like it very much... Hopefully the next will be the one I'm longing for...

Reporting to work on 2 April 2007.

Geesh, what emotions this brings up...simpler days, simpler times. Reminds me of few books by Zhang Xiao Xian 张小娴.

Longer by Dan Fogelberg