Thursday, May 29, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Coming Full Circle
I think I am coming full circle.. I have been thinking , weighing and thinking.. and I think its time to call it quits for good. I have done my service for my nation. I have passed on my knowledge and perhaps sometimes my passion and ( wisdom?) to many many cohorts of students. As early as year 1981 when I was first posted to my first school in Ipoh road. Then, I was carrying my first child. I was assigned to the afternoon session. I taught science, history, geography and of course physical science. Had my first baby in July 1981. On that very year I requested to be transferred to a school nearer to home. Back then it was still easy to ask for transfer, of course dear dad was still one of the top man in one of the ministry!
During my tenure-ship in my second school, i had good rapport with my students. A small number still remain close to this very day.
In 1986 I applied for unpaid leave to be with my husband in UK. He was there for his Phd and of course I enjoyed my 3 years of no teaching with my then very small children .
As soon as I reported to the ministry ( upon my return), I was placed in one of the premier schools in the capital city. It was not for long, about 2 years + . In that school it was quite a challenge, i.e.. teaching bright students, most of whom are from very well to do family. That school was steeped in their own established culture. Students looked and behaved playfully in class. Don't be fooled..They produced excellent results in the major exams.
Again, I applied for transfer to a school nearer to home. We have purchased a house in the outskirts of the city before we left for UK. Here in the school, it was a totally different culture altogether. Students, teachers and of the principal. I made many friends, many still close to this very day.
Again after 9 years in that school, I moved again, to a neighbouring school. Crisis with the head.. so they say.. Well, whatever, I came to work under a principal , a working principle that is, and no regrets. We were a good team. I matured under her guidance. I worked well with the teachers.Of course, not everyone likes everyone. It was okay .
In 2009, I got an offer ( with promotion in grade) to join the ministry"s training centre for heads of school. Initially, it was tough.. I was used to the fast paced ... making decisions, teaching, planning , motivating and all that. Initially I could not take this new layback kinda of working style. Trying to find my footing, trying to establish my niche area, my forte, took quite a while.
These last few years has been good.. many a times I was able to go on site and meet the heads of schools, hear their never ending problems etc.. I empathise and i sympathise. But then again many a times I shared my past experiences in schools. My sessions with my participants have always been satisfactory. Some participants gave extremely good reviews on my sessions with them. Maybe they were able to connect with the things that I shared with them.
Well, it has been a good 5 years.. I have done many things that I never thought I was able to do .. that is if I remain in school.. consultations, field research , participating in seminars and all. And to top it all I received my third Appraisal award during my second year . I am sure many were shocked. I too could not believe that it when I saw the letter. But I am sure my head must have seen something good in me.
So, 1981 to 2014. a good 33 years I must say. I think I have become full circle. Its time for me to let go. Its time for me to spend the remaining few years, Insya Allah with my family. Quality time. I need time to be with my mum. She can't remember my name. She has pockets of memories, that come and goes. There are many things I wish to do. To be able to travel and see god's wonderful creations while i still can is on my priority list. To enjoy quality time with my children, my grandchildren, my soulmate..
Time is running out..
I think I am coming full circle.. I have been thinking , weighing and thinking.. and I think its time to call it quits for good. I have done my service for my nation. I have passed on my knowledge and perhaps sometimes my passion and ( wisdom?) to many many cohorts of students. As early as year 1981 when I was first posted to my first school in Ipoh road. Then, I was carrying my first child. I was assigned to the afternoon session. I taught science, history, geography and of course physical science. Had my first baby in July 1981. On that very year I requested to be transferred to a school nearer to home. Back then it was still easy to ask for transfer, of course dear dad was still one of the top man in one of the ministry!
During my tenure-ship in my second school, i had good rapport with my students. A small number still remain close to this very day.
In 1986 I applied for unpaid leave to be with my husband in UK. He was there for his Phd and of course I enjoyed my 3 years of no teaching with my then very small children .
As soon as I reported to the ministry ( upon my return), I was placed in one of the premier schools in the capital city. It was not for long, about 2 years + . In that school it was quite a challenge, i.e.. teaching bright students, most of whom are from very well to do family. That school was steeped in their own established culture. Students looked and behaved playfully in class. Don't be fooled..They produced excellent results in the major exams.
Again, I applied for transfer to a school nearer to home. We have purchased a house in the outskirts of the city before we left for UK. Here in the school, it was a totally different culture altogether. Students, teachers and of the principal. I made many friends, many still close to this very day.
Again after 9 years in that school, I moved again, to a neighbouring school. Crisis with the head.. so they say.. Well, whatever, I came to work under a principal , a working principle that is, and no regrets. We were a good team. I matured under her guidance. I worked well with the teachers.Of course, not everyone likes everyone. It was okay .
In 2009, I got an offer ( with promotion in grade) to join the ministry"s training centre for heads of school. Initially, it was tough.. I was used to the fast paced ... making decisions, teaching, planning , motivating and all that. Initially I could not take this new layback kinda of working style. Trying to find my footing, trying to establish my niche area, my forte, took quite a while.
These last few years has been good.. many a times I was able to go on site and meet the heads of schools, hear their never ending problems etc.. I empathise and i sympathise. But then again many a times I shared my past experiences in schools. My sessions with my participants have always been satisfactory. Some participants gave extremely good reviews on my sessions with them. Maybe they were able to connect with the things that I shared with them.
Well, it has been a good 5 years.. I have done many things that I never thought I was able to do .. that is if I remain in school.. consultations, field research , participating in seminars and all. And to top it all I received my third Appraisal award during my second year . I am sure many were shocked. I too could not believe that it when I saw the letter. But I am sure my head must have seen something good in me.
So, 1981 to 2014. a good 33 years I must say. I think I have become full circle. Its time for me to let go. Its time for me to spend the remaining few years, Insya Allah with my family. Quality time. I need time to be with my mum. She can't remember my name. She has pockets of memories, that come and goes. There are many things I wish to do. To be able to travel and see god's wonderful creations while i still can is on my priority list. To enjoy quality time with my children, my grandchildren, my soulmate..
Time is running out..
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