Well, I have to say, it's a bit challenging for me to accustom myself in such place. I heard how bad the condition in Johor is. My friends used to tell me that Johor is a paradise for any crime. But for the sake to achieve my own goal, I decided to come here no matter how much confrontation given by my friends and family.
So, yea, I'm alone here BUT I KNOW WHAT I AM STRIVING FOR.
So, what makes me wanna continue my career in education line? The answer is simple= Inspired by my school teachers when I'm still a juvenile delinquent last time. Thinking how my teachers change me in the past, motivate me to make a lil difference in the youngsters nowadays. At least giving some hopes.
And oh, a lil inspired by GTO too.
Yes. I'm officially a teacher/lecturer in Johor now.
I started with a high enthusiasm, trying to be a charismatic educator, to inspire the young ones to be a better person, esp those been left out, those experiencing the same thing as I do last time. To transform them to be independent, and have self actualization.
After 1 year of experience teaching in private a institution, I should say, things ain't that easy.
1. Management policies
- As teachers, we are given " unwritten rules". This include, how you behave, speak, and even dress up. An educator should give a positive impression to everyone around. So they know you are the "Saint" for the young one. So, to my dear GTO, sorry I cant follow your style haha. But I do agree, we have to give a positive impression to the students. esp in terms of attitude because you will influence them.
2. What to speak and what not to speak, to the correct person, or even to the wrong person.
-No matter where you are, office politics will always be there. The stress not only will come from the management level, but also from your colleagues. I thought office politics will be in the minimal level as we are in education line, but from experience, looks like it doesnt make any difference. I noticed some of the teachers will suddenly get PMS, talk bad about you to others, being so emotional, and sudden cause a chain reaction with others to hate a particular person. The most neutral, and noisiest, and too "glaring" one, always will be the victim and I fulfill all of the criteria, so, ehem. Maybe i shall say, its either because of culture shock, or generation gap.
3. A thin line between the students and myself.
-Yes, you should draw a thin line between you and the students if you wanna become a teacher. This is the only thing I hate the most. After experiencing lots of drama, I come to a conclusion that, a teacher really need to do this in order to avoid unnecessary issues like pedophile and so on. The greater you friend and care about them, the bigger sacrifice your have to make; on your name, credibility, and reputation. However, I truly respect my teachers last time, for saving me from hell, which I am a moron in school, taking a good care of me and bear with all the blames and so on from the management and parents. I really proud of them, as they believe their intuition, instead of "go by the unwritten rules" in the institution. Because of their undying love and sacrifice, they turned me, into a useful person; at least not giving prob to the society. They opened up my eyes on what "Education" is all about. It's not only the knowledge, but the attitude as a human being. That's why it's called "pendidikan" in Malay.
4. I'm too young for everything?
-Haha, just because I'm from Y generation, almost all the ideas from me is not acceptable in any situation. And they used to judge me for being "inexperience" and lack of "aptitude". One of my colleague even once said to me:" after all the comments, do you think you still suitable to be a teacher?ever think of resigning?". I was like wow, ok. It's a bit too harsh, but I just take a deep breath and continue do my work without giving any response as I know why I am here. I willingly to listen to their advises and do some self reflection on it so I can improve myself as I'm learning too. Just that sometimes its a bit too frust when they labeled you for being "inexperience" and lack of "aptitude" because you are young. In my opinion, interpersonal skills is very important. Is how you convey the message. Even when you go for training, the trainer will aim u as the victim of example. haha. its ok. Coz things they said might be harsh, but most of the time very useful.
5. English is very important
-yeap, you can detect a lot of grammatical errors in this post. It will influence the students too and they might question your credibility. Working hard for this.
6. Training = essential.
-yeap. we required to attend numbers of training and courses to improve ourselves. All I can say is, you really can learn a lot from it. Management skills, arts of communication, branding and all the stuff, I kinda enjoying it.
7. Falling in love with your own student is a taboo.
-This is the taboo in education line. Falling in love with your student. It's a bigger issue when your student have the same affection of feeling towards you. But I think I handle it well. At least allow her to graduate first. But yea, there's risk. They are young, and they might playing around with you only. The only way to prevent unnecessary thing to happen is, play by the rules. Do not touch, or do anything that allow them to have that kind of special feeling. Allow them to finish everything and get out from school first. My advise is just DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR STUDENT.
