Innovation Day, Kluang District

Date: 17th Dec 2012
Venue: SM Sains Johor, Kluang

Speaking in Bakti Hall, SM Sains Johor was something I really looked forward to as I taught in the school for 21 years. It brought back a lot of memories. I was invited to share my project conducted in SMK Canossian Convent on this day with headmasters and principals in Kluang. The project was "Digital Notebook: Integrating Web 2.0 in Pedagogy to improve Writing and Critical thinking." It was indeed an honour to be given the 'Tokoh Inovasi Daerah Kluang" award by the PPD Kluang. To be honest, I felt very humbled by the recognition and to a certain extent embarassed. I mean "Tokoh Inovasi" is just too big a title to hold...Still, I would like to thank Tn Hj A. Manaf Muslimin (PPD Kluang) and the selection panel for the award and may it inspire me to work harder.  
Alhamdulillah.

The Thinking Teacher

JPN Johor Innovation Awards 2012

Date: 6 December 2012
Venue: Dewan Semarak, JPN Johor

This prestigious award ceremony took place in Dewan Semarak JPN Johor. Despite losing my way a little bit, I made it in time for the ceremony. Insane this! All because I followed my GPS to go via the Kempas exit instead of the usual Skudai exit I normally take. My GPS was just updated and it gave me the wrong directions, would you believe that! Well, this sort of thing probably only happens to people like me. To be honest when I was suddenly driving in the Pasir Gudang highway (yup, that lost!) I nearly gave up and wanted to ask Sallina Hussain (principal and good friend of SMK Seta, JB) to receive the award for me in case I didn't make in on time but her phone was silent for a bit. I had to trouble another friend (Pn Ruzana from PPD JB) and finally found my way back to Jalan Datin Halimah...phew!! tells you a lot about my driving skills doesn't it?) Well, as I said before, I arrived at about 8.45 and people were still having breakfast. Relieved...

Tn Hj Mohd Nor A. Ghani (State Education Director) graced the occasion and presented the awards. There were many important people in the beautiful hall and I was ushered by this kind lady to a seat next to Pn Fuziah, headmaster of SK Taman Uda (2). She was also an awardee. I then realised that it was a Thursday because everyone was adorned in batik! Well, this being the school hols I conveniently forgot :) Thank God Adibah, my daughter ironed a batik dress (well I think it passed as batik) and I got rid off my coat as soon as possible! Only one person was wearing a jacket and he was the Ketua Sektor Pendidikan Islam in JPN. I certainly felt more comfortable not wearing one.

The objectives of the ceremony were:

(from the programme book)

• memberi pengiktirafan kepada hasil inovasi yang diperkenalkan oleh agensi kerajaan
• memupuk dan menyemarakkan budaya kreatif dan inovatif dalam cara bekerja uyang diamalkan
• memperkenalkan dan menyebarkan hasil-hasil inovasi yang boleh dicontohi untuk faedah agensi lain;dan
• menyumbang kepada peningkatan kualiti penyampaian perkhidmatan kepada pelanggan

The award categories were:

• Anugerah Khas Inovasi
• Anugerah Khas Juri
• Anugerah Inovasi Pengarah Pelajaran Johor
• Anugerah Inovasi Timbalan Pengarah Pelajaran Johor
• Anugerah Ketua Sektor
• Anugerah Kumpulan Inovasi dan Kreatif (KIK)

In his address, the director mentioned a few important pointers: 

• the need to change our work culture- the emphasis should be on outcome and they must be impactful
• civil servants need to enhance their professional competence, provide client-friendly service, change their mindset and focus on feedback and complaints from clients because these are indicators of our effectiveness, be innovative and creative in the delivery system and give the best service with integrity and accountability

Alhamdulillah, I was awarded Anugerah Khas Inovasi (Kepimpinan Inovasi, Kumpulan Pengurusan dan Profesional). Initially I was rather reluctant to take part when the PPD Kluang nominated my name. However, some good friends and ex-students encouraged me to give it a try. A special thanks to Tn Hj Ahmad Yusof of PPD Kluang for norminating me and the selection panel of course. The emcee mistakenly announced that I was  "Pengetua SM Sains Sembrong" and then corrected himself :) A nice way to wrap up 2012!

The Thinking Teacher

2012 in perspective

Tomorrow is the last day of the academic calender and I'm so looking forward to the hols...I can't wait! It's time to take that much deserved break and to focus on personal things (minus the blogging itch hopefully) I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all my blog visitors, friends and students for your support. This blog is all about sharing professional development. Sorry to disappoint you if you fail to find many lesson plans and handouts- that's not the point of this blog. I'd rather my visitors take ideas from this blog than ready-made handouts. I'd rather if you become thinking teachers. My teachers taught me to take an idea and to assess it for what it's worth and adapt it to a situation. I was taught not to expect things on a silver platter but to always learn the hard way because this would mean I will be sharpening the saw. I want to be a contributor of ideas more than a user.

Our exam-based system does not help either. We would rather things be given to us than originally produce or develop something that suits our situation. We are so caught up with the bubble called the exam syndrome that at times it numbs our creativity and intelligence as educators. It dulls the imagination and weakens the spirit to break the norm and do the impossible. We are so comfortable with the possible and the reachable.

It's been a long year and 550 postings later, it's time to review 2012. Here are some the issues that I felt profoundly about in 2012:

• competent English teachers- only the best should be in the teaching profession if we are to produce a competitive nation. Mediocrity will breed mediocrity. Period.
• support for English teachers - three classes of English is ideal for a teacher to plan and execute quality lessons. Besides the status of English as a second language needs to be reevaluated- less classes = quality lessons. Wishful thinking? I don't think so. It takes vision and willpower for an education minister to see this become reality. One wonders the effectiveness of teaching five periods of English with large classes at that. I pray for the day when we have enough manpower to see this through, although by then I will probably be happily retired :)
• professional development opportunities for English teachers- more please! Courses that really help CPD not one-off courses with no impact
• reducing bribery in the country -bribery in the education sector should be looked into by the authorities
• reducing crime rate in the country so the common man feels safe on the streets
• getting politics out of education- let educationists run the show and decide on educational issues
• competent leaders to lead schools- we need capable and qualified leaders in schools not those who get promoted due to seniority
• short courses for teachers- when will we be able to take three months leave for short courses in universities (with full pay) for CPD for example? I long for the day when I can be on sabbatical to enrol in a related course and renew my skills and knowledge as a teacher
• the religious departments to play a more efficient and effective role- I feel they are not doing enough to ensure Muslims are eating halal food. There's little sense in claiming that this is an Islamic nation when there are many instances of suspicious products in the market. The mamak restaurant in my neighbourhood was just raided last week and to my horror, the majority of the workers couldn't even recite the syahadah!
• short courses for teachers overseas- no need to look too far away- Singapore is nearby. How about short stints overseas for English teachers' retraining? I look forward to the day when Johor (the state I am loyal to) sponsors teachers for CPD overseas. Nothing is impossible.
• PBS- I will definitely be better prepared next year...this year I was just coping to be honest. I owe it to the children, this much I know. Relieved to not be pressured by exams but the success of PBS will rest on the sincerity and integrity of teachers. Too many complaints and negativities about PBS do not help either- more collaboration amongst teachers will!

Thank you for the emails and questions you've been sending- keep them coming. It's been a mixed year :) but Alhamdulillah for everything...

Have a good break! 




The Thinking Teacher

Thank you 4 Syafie!

A scolding session at 8.30 for some boys from 4 Syafie and Bukhari for misbehaving did not deter 4 Syafie from giving me a surprise :) A surprise indeed! The students were all lined in a circle in the parking lot with a "thank you" cheer. Soon after we took some photos and said our goodbyes for the holiday. Thanks ever so much!! I was S.P.E.E.C.H.L.E.S.S and O.V.E.R.W.H.E.L.M.E.D by the act! I had never expected anything beyond their commitment and interest in English- still smiling when I think of today and slightly embarrassed for scolding the boys this morning :) I love these kids. We had so much fun this year and let's hope for a greater year in 2013. You will be missed 4 Syafie. Happy holidays!

A delightful surprise!

Thank you for all the lovely notes!

The last bear I got was on my 18th birthday! That was ooooooohh so ancient :)

The Thinking Teacher