Just a former schoolmarm and unrepentant maverick. Though I'm 77, I'm too bolshie to metamorphose into a sweet little old lady.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Chante, Chante Pour Moi
Sing, Sing For Me
It is self-indulgent and sometimes futile to ruminate too much on the past. But when you have been a teacher for over 20 years it is difficult not to recall the thousands of lives you have touched. I have been a Che'gu (Mr or Miss Teacher) for 7 years and a Miss Hamid for 2 years and a very short spell as Mrs. B in Singapore. I put on my Che'gu's hat again in Brunei for 6 1/2 years training teachers at Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Teachers' Training College. My last stint was at USM Penang when I became Puan Maznoor teaching Spoken English/Pronunciation and Critical Reading and Writing.
The latter was a subject after my own heart and I knew I gave my students a hard time. I believe that young minds can be pushed to the limit - it is just a matter of how. Above all, I felt very privileged that I was given the opportunity to stretch their minds and though they found it frustrating at times, they met the challenge and I am very proud of them.
When I left in 1993, they gave me a parting gift of a little booklet - a token of their appreciation - which contained the illustrations I have posted here. I was very, very touched and I have kept this booklet with me despite the many house-moves we have made.
I wonder what they are doing now. I hope the authorities have recognised and rewarded their capacity for serious thinking and dogged enthusiasm for hard work.
And here's a little illlustration from me for old times' sake.
Once again thank you.
awwww.... so sweet.... and I lurrvve the feline caricature!
ReplyDeleteI was a student at USM (85-89; Humanities with Ed.). Miss Anne Stamford was OUR Tormentor then, giving us such challenging (and frequent) homework on tenses which only made 1% of the coursework marks. In retrospect, it has done me good, I think. And pronunciation was taped on cassettes and Miss Anne (as we used to call her) would listen to everyone's and would give comments the week after!
ReplyDeleteI guess all language teachers are slave drivers!??
My Dear AsH, you're not just the best BUT D Best !
ReplyDelete