It's Teacher's Day! As I look back on my teaching journey, I realized that I've come a looooong way.
I started teaching in the church Sunday School on 9th September 2007. I had just turned 16 and I was starting to ponder on what I would like to study after high school. I fell in love with teaching.
Right after high school, I studied early childhood education in college and was deeply inspired by some lecturers. I loved to learn and would read and study on the train on the way to college (I am nerdy like that). I worked and studied at the same time as I believed that my learning would be more meaningful if I can apply and practice what I learned.
Whilst studying, I worked as an English tutor in a tuition center, a Mandarin teacher to 2-3 year olds, an assistant teacher in a very teacher directed school, a right brain teacher in an enrichment center, did my practicum in a so-called play based school. Then I graduated.
I taught right brain enrichment full time for 2 years (I still teach part time now) before moving on to a kindergarten. In a kindergarten, I get to bond more deeply with my children. However, the school I was teaching in was a too-many-students-in-a-class, too-many-books-to-complete-before-end-of-the-year, children-sit-down-and-listen-to-me kind of school. I did not enjoy teaching that way and felt the pressure of completing workbooks. I decided that that kind of teaching is not my cup of tea. I then joined TweedleWink Playhouse, a wonderful Montessori inspired right brain school and I really enjoy my work here.
Everything happens for a reason. I learn from good experiences and learn what not to do from bad experiences. And everything that has happened has led me to where I am and to be who I am now. I have never regretted my decision to be a teacher and I am so blessed to have found my calling. I never get Monday blues, and whenever I think of my children, I smile :-)
Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Work
It's labour day! (That's why I finally have some time to do some blogging!)
In reflection of my work, I think that I actually work too much. And the thing is, I love working. Even if at the end of the day, I'm exhausted, worn out, drained, I love working. Why? Because I'm serving children. And that's the reason I have energy to start my hectic day all over again.
Yesterday was one of the student's last day, and as we were singing the 'I Love You Song'' and the 'Thank You Song' for the last time, I started tearing up and I realized this little girl has crept into my heart and has left a mark there. I looked back at the pictures of all my previous students and I can see them so vividly in my mind - their smiles, their behaviors, their laughter. Every one of them has a special place in my heart.
I remember that as we were talking about friendships in school, I shared to the children that you can be friends with everyone, because that the more love you give, the more love you'll receive. Indeed, I am rich with love. And that is why I love teaching.
In reflection of my work, I think that I actually work too much. And the thing is, I love working. Even if at the end of the day, I'm exhausted, worn out, drained, I love working. Why? Because I'm serving children. And that's the reason I have energy to start my hectic day all over again.
Yesterday was one of the student's last day, and as we were singing the 'I Love You Song'' and the 'Thank You Song' for the last time, I started tearing up and I realized this little girl has crept into my heart and has left a mark there. I looked back at the pictures of all my previous students and I can see them so vividly in my mind - their smiles, their behaviors, their laughter. Every one of them has a special place in my heart.
I remember that as we were talking about friendships in school, I shared to the children that you can be friends with everyone, because that the more love you give, the more love you'll receive. Indeed, I am rich with love. And that is why I love teaching.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Joy of teaching
I enjoy teaching. At times it's difficult, but the little things these little people say and do just make it so so rewarding.
I was reading the children a story when I got a paper cut. Blood started gushing out of the wound. As we went out to get a band aid, one child offered to hold my hand for me. 'It's OK, I'll help you, teacher!' Another rushed out to get me a cup of water. They all gathered around me as I applied the band aid. So sweet.
My kids are also such sweet talkers. They've learnt to say kind words and compliments, so during snack time, one would suddenly say, 'You look nice today, teacher.' And others would follow suit. 'You know teacher, your face is like, so amazing!' Haha. Aww, thank you!!
I was reading the children a story when I got a paper cut. Blood started gushing out of the wound. As we went out to get a band aid, one child offered to hold my hand for me. 'It's OK, I'll help you, teacher!' Another rushed out to get me a cup of water. They all gathered around me as I applied the band aid. So sweet.
My kids are also such sweet talkers. They've learnt to say kind words and compliments, so during snack time, one would suddenly say, 'You look nice today, teacher.' And others would follow suit. 'You know teacher, your face is like, so amazing!' Haha. Aww, thank you!!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
New Chapter at TweedleWink Playhouse
I've been so uber busy at my new school - TweedleWink Playhouse. It combines right brain education with Montessori elements, and I can see the children just adore coming to school. And so do I! I really love school. There's a reason I am willing to travel so far to come to school - PASSION. It is my dream school. I love how the program is beautifully designed to blend the best of Montessori philosophy with right brain education. All children learn differently at different paces, thus we follow the child and let them lead the learning.
At the same time, the children are exposed to so much because a child's early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.They are exposed to famous composers and classical music pieces, world cultures and foreign languages, science concepts, famous artists and art pieces, and so so so much more!
Besides imparting knowledge, we focus a lot on character-building - encouraging them to be kind, helping them deal with frustrations, assisting them in building their confidence, encouraging them to be independent. It's a tough job, but I absolutely positively love it to bits!
These are some snapshots of what happens in school! :)
Love it? I know I do!
At the same time, the children are exposed to so much because a child's early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.They are exposed to famous composers and classical music pieces, world cultures and foreign languages, science concepts, famous artists and art pieces, and so so so much more!
Besides imparting knowledge, we focus a lot on character-building - encouraging them to be kind, helping them deal with frustrations, assisting them in building their confidence, encouraging them to be independent. It's a tough job, but I absolutely positively love it to bits!
These are some snapshots of what happens in school! :)
Baking muffins when we visited England
Working on dinosaur montessori cards
Baking Italian bread
Cooking French toast
Working on Montessori Colour Box 3
Art appreciation: Paul Gauguin
Art Appreciation: Winslow Homer
Art Appreciation: Claude Monet
Learning about volcanoes
Preparing ingredients to make ratatouille
We made ratatouille when we visited France
Having a puppet show
Monday, May 13, 2013
Currently...
THIS WEEKS THEMES:
LEARNING, GATHERING, GIVING, WORKING, PLAYING
Me:
LEARNING about Montessori for my work. Looking forward!
GATHERING my thoughts. Or rather trying to. Overwhelmed with thoughts of jobs and buying house and finishing work and saying goodbye. Good thing school break is coming up in two weeks!
GIVING gifts. To mothers. To teachers. To students. To friends.
WORKING hard!! With the parent teacher meeting coming up, it's time to type up reports and file up portfolios.
PLAYING with my iPad quite a lot haha. Playing puzzles mental challenge and stuff.
The kids:
LEARNING about animals this month. We just heard real animal sounds and it's really interesting. Real pigs don't actually say oink oink! I wonder who came up with that. Haha
WORKING and PLAYING with animal puzzles and all the cool apps I have on my iPad! Hahaha. Loving Wee Sing where you can listen to animal sounds and also sounds of musical instruments.
LEARNING, GATHERING, GIVING, WORKING, PLAYING
Me:
LEARNING about Montessori for my work. Looking forward!
GATHERING my thoughts. Or rather trying to. Overwhelmed with thoughts of jobs and buying house and finishing work and saying goodbye. Good thing school break is coming up in two weeks!
GIVING gifts. To mothers. To teachers. To students. To friends.
WORKING hard!! With the parent teacher meeting coming up, it's time to type up reports and file up portfolios.
PLAYING with my iPad quite a lot haha. Playing puzzles mental challenge and stuff.
The kids:
LEARNING about animals this month. We just heard real animal sounds and it's really interesting. Real pigs don't actually say oink oink! I wonder who came up with that. Haha
WORKING and PLAYING with animal puzzles and all the cool apps I have on my iPad! Hahaha. Loving Wee Sing where you can listen to animal sounds and also sounds of musical instruments.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Currently
I am currently...
ADMIRING the Montessori method. I am reading about Montessori again, and her work is uber inspiring.
LOVING all the little ones in class. (Duh) haha.
CLEANING the classroom with dettol every day! Every toy and material. A lot of work, but it's a precautionary step to make sure the Evil Hand Foot Mouth Disease doesn't attack anyone!
CREATING a new theme board. May's theme is Animals and I'm doing animals under water!
ADMIRING the Montessori method. I am reading about Montessori again, and her work is uber inspiring.
LOVING all the little ones in class. (Duh) haha.
CLEANING the classroom with dettol every day! Every toy and material. A lot of work, but it's a precautionary step to make sure the Evil Hand Foot Mouth Disease doesn't attack anyone!
CREATING a new theme board. May's theme is Animals and I'm doing animals under water!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
IPad
Every teacher should have an iPad. Really. So that you can facebook instagram and check email in class. Haha no just kidding.
It's so uber convenient. When you are teaching new words, you don't need to prepare flashcards. Just google search. Children will enjoy looking at the ipad more than at flashcards too. Even though its the exact same picture. You don't need to print and laminate. You can enlarge the picture easily. Children have spontaneous questions? Just look it up online!
Teacher, what does a mango tree look like?
Wait ah, let me find the pic.
Wham, immediately you get the pic!
The apps are amazing and cheap. The kids and I are enjoying Letter School. Sometimes, we do it one by one, or two by two. Sometimes I use it as a whole class activity. They clap and cheer and are so excited to see the animations!
The iPad is the best gift I've gotten :)
It's so uber convenient. When you are teaching new words, you don't need to prepare flashcards. Just google search. Children will enjoy looking at the ipad more than at flashcards too. Even though its the exact same picture. You don't need to print and laminate. You can enlarge the picture easily. Children have spontaneous questions? Just look it up online!
Teacher, what does a mango tree look like?
Wait ah, let me find the pic.
Wham, immediately you get the pic!
The apps are amazing and cheap. The kids and I are enjoying Letter School. Sometimes, we do it one by one, or two by two. Sometimes I use it as a whole class activity. They clap and cheer and are so excited to see the animations!
The iPad is the best gift I've gotten :)
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