Life is a non-refundable GIFT. We either make it or break it. I believe in living my life to the best of my God given abilities by being a blessing to all those around me and with all whom I come in contact with. I believe in leaving behind a legacy for those after me when I ‘go back home’.
I did not choose this career by default. I had long wanted to follow in the footsteps of my mum and my aunts and grabbed the first opportunity, when my dad retired, to apply for teaching. I had a sister and two brothers who were still schooling then. My parents were greatly relieved when I took the responsibility to provide for my family. I was only 19 then.
I have seen all kinds of children from 1979 till today 2010. I have grown wiser too. I used to get angry with my pupils when they failed to produce results, back then. Now instead of getting angry with them I look for the root cause.
I believe that every single child has the capacity to learn in some way. Each child needs to feel important. Every child has to feel wanted, loved and has to have a sense of self worth or else he or she will not perform. Children do what they see 90% of the time. Therefore the child’s environment, family background, physical, health and other conditions, etc have to be taken into consideration. Given time, every child will excel, but in a different way from another child, if he/she is taught with understanding and heaps of patience. At the heart of every educator, there must be a passion to mould each child without extinguishing his/her zeal for knowledge and without taking away the child’s sense of self worth.
Do results matter? Yes and no. Yes, when it comes to comparing the school with other schools. Yes, when the child does not get into a good secondary school. Yes, when other parents boast of their children’s good results. Yes, if the child is capable but lazy. When we look around the world today, most rich and famous are not degree holders. Who then makes it in life? I firmly believe in inculcating moral values and teaching life skills to the little ones from a very early age. If that is done by every parent and every educator, we will not have to fret and the child will not have to suffer. There are so many ways for the child to make it in life.
Being positive in every situation and having a splendid vision for the future is very important. Complaining and grumbling will get us nowhere. Every successful person has succeeded in life, by having a positive vision and affirming it daily. Our thoughts and words have the power to create our future. Therefore we have to be conscious of what we think and speak. We have the ability to create a positive environment around us wherever we go. We must have specific measurable goals and act upon them without procrastinating.
Learning does not stop at JC, Poly or University. I believe that learning is life-long. Every educator has to continuously improve his / her knowledge by reading relevant books and articles. Times have changed. Every child is born with computer skills these days. We educators, have to equip ourselves with the relevant skills to teach the 21st Century children.
Finally I do not want to miss out the important people and important times of my life. Today I am here, tomorrow I may be gone. There will surely be someone to fill my post as a teacher, but the vacuum in the lives of my husband and children will never be filled. After immersing myself in my professional duties all these years, I have come to realize that ‘health is REALLY wealth!’ Spending sufficient time with our family is imperative. Taking time to rest and rejuvenate is equally important. This will only enhance our ability to perform better.
Most importantly, I believe that one must always live, move and do everything in God’s holy presence for without Him we are nothing, and all glory and praise must be given to God our almighty Father!
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