i wasn't a kid that shone through academics.
all through primary and secondary school in scgs and junior college in jj.
i wasn't the sort of student who was brilliantly outstanding nor was i the sort that was horribly detested.
i know somehow i was running around busy with school stuff, probably cca, but not academically-related.
i was talkative, i might have been lazy, i probably was annoying and it always seemed that i wasnt trying my best.
ok maybe these were all true.
all the same i should thank some selected teachers who didnt give up on me, to get me to where i am now.
i know, i know. cliche. but
really. school is a student's second home (or babysitting) and logically, the teacher would take over the motherly, disciplinary, guardian role.
i was the student that made teachers stay back longer than their 5.5 hours/day requirement for remedial of different subjects.
i was the student that made teachers have a headache on what to write, that would be encouraging but yet not too critical, on the comments page of the termly report card.
i was the student that made teachers have to think of easier ways to explain a particular concept so that the child could visualise better
AND remember it.
i was the student that was probably seen very regularly on many days of the week, having to meet up with teachers to show the progress of revision.
i was the student that had to be put in a study 'camp', which was literally like an airconditioned mini exam hall, stocked with food and a teacher.
but still.
i dont think i was the student that was hated. i think i was just
exasperating.
i am the sort of reason why i am afraid to be a teacher.
i am the sort why i was, and still am, hesitant in being a relief teacher or tutor (maybe only acceptable in primary school).
when i go back to my schools, it's funny to see the expression of relief that most of my teachers have, one that shows as though one of their tiresome children, has grown up (or maybe not) :)
teachers are the ones that seek you out, holds your hand, pulls it if its necessary, yanks it if pulling doesnt work, smacks it if it makes you remember and soothes it if youve been hurt.
that's the ideal one.
on top of the massive 247 workload (what 5-day work week), the drastically changing education syllabus (which they have to digest, assimilate and spit out in an edible, comprehensionable form), the pounding demand (performance of self, students and school), the heavy-weight championship of responsibilities (for the form class, the cca, the admin aspect, etc.), the constant hounding of figures (principals, heads, PARENTS) and the overhanging cloud of anxiety and worry,
while still staying human.
wow. thats a feat.
sure, all of us had encountered all sorts of teachers: monstrous, naggy, caring, step-over-worthy, irritating, funny, weird, cranky, super-anal-about-corrections, loving, etc. but you see, they are all part of the same breed with the same (hopefully) humble role: to
guide us.
i dont know about you, but im pretty much very glad for the teachers ive been
plonked with in my journey so far.
even if you made me stay back for extra lessons. even if you made me do extra exercises on the SAME topic. even if you made me sit in front of the classroom so that i'd pay attention. even if you made me write a letter of apology. even if you made me do my corrections multiple times to get it right. many of you have taught me more than just answering the blanks of exam papers. love, forgiveness, chance, benefit of doubt, pity, sympathy, knowledge, perseverance, discipline, etc. thank you.if i listed their names, you wont read them nor will most of you know them so nevermind that.
but i do think they deserve much more than just sleep and pay.
Labels: announcements, insides, nostalgia, school
