May 23rd, 2012
End of Semester 1
*super long post ahead*
HELLO!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for MIA-ing! I haven’t been particularly busy but just couldn’t find the energy to blog. I know I said I won’t be talking about teaching in this post but I seriously tried sitting down to think about what to write besides my life as a teacher…and I couldn’t think of anything! I guess I live, eat, and breathe teaching. My whole life revolves around it so much that it’s so hard to separate cikgu suet from normal suet.
But the good news is…school holidays are coming!
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY you have no idea. For the last school holiday, we had to go for training 24/7 and had tons of assignments to work on, but we’re absolutely freeeee this holiday! It’s TWO glorious weeks of not having to think about school! Well, not really. I have lots of exam papers to mark and to key data in to analyze. I also have to dedicate at least a whole day on planning better for semester 2 of school. My class culture is spiraling down to the depths of hell and I need to reinforce the culture of achievement again in class.
But can you believe it?? Semester 1 is coming to an end! I’ve been a teacher for half a year! This is both a happy and scary thought, because although I’ve survived 5 months, I also realized that I haven’t actually done enough. Progress has been excruciatingly slowwww and I need to work much harder for the next semester. I can’t let my kids finish this year without making incremental changes. Actually, I can’t let myself not be a good enough teacher to make pivotal changes for them.
Will think about that later, right now I just can’t stop thinking about next week.
I will be going to Perhentian next week so I’m incredibly excited about it! Sun! Sea! Sand! Serenity! I can now finally read a book for fun (been dying to read my unopened 1Q84 for months now)! I just want to lie at the beach reading my book with my Ipod and with amazing company. I’m going with my fellow fellows and since we’re all poor teachers, the trip is gonna be super low budget too so don’t have to worry about overspending!
Here are some pictures I took over the last few weeks, most of them are quite interesting! (of course, my life is super interesting ok. I was just telling my boyfriend that I cannot imagine how it’ll be like after the 2 years. ANYTHING I do after that will pale in comparison in excitement since it’ll definitely be nowhere as challenging anymore. I really should cherish the remaining year and half!)
So let’s start from where I left of the other day. Remember we got into the state championship for choral speaking?
These are my choral speakers practising hard in the bus on the way to the competition. It was a 2.5 hour bus ride so we were really nervous and went over the script a few times!
Unfortunately, we lost 
The competition was crazyyyyy and my kids were so intimidated when they heard the other schools speaking in English to each other too! We lost to SMK King George V but they were absolutely amazing! Top-notch performance so they deserved the win!
We were sad but also inspired to try better next year. When I told the kids that we’ll still have KFC anyway (that was what they wanted if they had won), they were ecstatic! Ah kids, so easy to please.
This is my most challenging class. I took this cause I was so happy that they were very engaged that day! This is an activity where I divide them into groups and give each group a plastic sheet (cheaper alternative to a whiteboard) and marker pen. I’ll write questions on the board (usually grammar ques) and they’ll write the answers!
One student’s depiction of me with glasses haha I look like catwoman with baju kurung!
Ok this is SUPER cute! I get my best classes to keep a journal each where they’ll have to write about the topic I give them and about their reflections of the class. This really helps me to know them better personally, and especially if they understood what I taught that day. I also get them to write about what they like/dislike about my class so I know what to improve on.
The topic of the week was on “love” and the girls went crazy with it! They divulged pages and pages of their innermost feelings on the crushes they have and it was so nice to read! Haha actually I’m just a kepoh teacher.
I love getting them to write in their journals cause it shows them that English is beyond just memorizing grammar rules and churning boring essays for exams. English should be fun! and they need to practise more than just writing in class.
So after reading a few journals about crushes, I was laughing out loud when I saw this:
HAHAHAAH! This was written by a boy and it was soooo adorableeee!
These are all from students from my best class, who are all averaging at about 60% right now. Quite a depressing figure, so can you imagine students from other classes? Lots of work for me to do still.
The scary road I take to send some kids home after extra class. They did well that day, so I rewarded them with burgers from this burger stall in the middle of the darkness just a little further down this road. We ate our burgers in the dark in the middle of nowhere while discussing about the huge snake (7 ft long!) they saw and how monstrous it was etc.
I looked at them in amusement while they were animatedly talking about the snake and thought to myself, “these kids know more than I actually do in some aspects, and to think that I pity them for being illiterates when they’re probably thinking the same about me not knowing their world”. It’s defining moments like this…….
One of the journal entries. hahhahahahaha!! Never thought me wearing makeup will make that much of a difference! She said my eyes are too small without makeup and it makes her feel sleepy!
How to write a narrative. This is why it takes me forever to prepare lessons, I usually have 3-4 mahjong papers for each topic!
The sad reality of our current education system, where students literally lift model answers from books and memorize them for exams (something I was guilty of doing before too). How do you learn the language this way?? This was for their BM class. Say no to spoonfeeding!
With Angie and a few other teachers for Teacher’s Day! My first ever Teacher’s Day T____T We had to play bola jaring, I missed it so much!
With some of my Form 1 kids. I need to take more pictures cause I know I’ll miss them so much later!
Teacher’s Day gifts! So nice of them to write me cards and buy me stuff *touched
So I wrote them thank you cards in return 
After the other students saw this, a few started making belated cards for me too haha
Invigilating is the most boring job in the entire world. Being a teacher has given me the superpower of having 360 degrees eyesight, so no one dares to mess with me when I invigilate. Kidding..they mess with me all the time cause I’m not strict at all T__T
One time, they were done with their exam papers and were making so much noise, so I had to resort to creative means to quiet them down. So I put a bottle on my head and walked down the middle of the class to divert their attention. I started putting more things on my head and tried balancing them. They probably thought I was a super sohai teacher T_T
Half the stuff that were donated to me and sent to my school! Thank you so much everyone for everything, these things have been soooo useful! I give the gifts out as rewards and my kids love the wordsearch books
Recently, an anonymous donor donated a whole bunch of stuff to me, and these are very very expensive stuff too so I feel incredibly blessed! Thank you so much for all your support *tear
I was so excited when I did this cause I’ve always seen teachers back in my high school doing this and it looks so convenient!
But my excitement quickly dwindled down when I realized that it’s no longer fun when you have hundreds of them to do. Still got essays to mark *wails
And marking is the easy part. Data tracking and analyzing will be hardddd. Who wants to help me key in marks?? I belanja teh tarik.
Boys watching nervously as the girls check their bags during spotcheck. Super nostalgic! I was once a prefect too haha
I was marking papers in class and when I looked up, this was what greeted me -_________-
This boy is super cheeky but in a adorable loving way! Once, he came to me hurriedly when I entered the class and asked if I’d like to see my future. I was like “errr..sure…” and he drew a very old wrinkly woman on the board, explaining how I get the wrinkles and how my hair will be white and eyes will be blind etc. -_________-
Bought this yesterday cause I was so depressed after marking their papers. They didn’t do very well and it made me doubt if I’m doing enough but it’s okay, will work harder!
Came back from class today and saw this on my table!
It’s a bunch of letters by this girl and she thought she’d write to me a chronicle of her life so far since she was bored during exam one day. and the best part is, they’re all written in English!!! 
Lastly, I really wanna end this post and semester on a good note so I’m glad I saw this while flipping a student’s book! I wrote her a comment after her essay, saying that she’s doing really well in class and asked her to keep it up. This was her comment to me after that.
T__________T
No, thank YOU for inspiring me to soldier on everyday.
Okay that’s all for today’s update! Gonna watch an episode of Grey’s Anatomy since I don’t have to lesson plan for tomorrow (exam week). Thanks for reading!
No related posts.
your job is definitely more fun than mine!
now i really want to become your student!
‘a bo who is always make a joke! hehehe!…
… turnstore at home were so old. hehehe…’
one day your student may become someone important…
Whenever I read your post about TFM I will be thinking how cool and scary at the same time to read my teacher’s blog…and she blogs bout me and my friends. hahaha. But it is great that you wrote everything down, you inspire me to take the same path despite the crazy adventures (my mum’s a primary school teacher too so I get what these kids give you):)..we’ll see how it goes after I graduate. Good job and keep it up!!
I just love to read ur blog posts of ur life as a teacher. It is always with so much love, fun and passion! Something that many of us do not have in our current job and have not experienced in our school life
So Suet Li, cheer up if things are not going well and I believe ur students will appreciate it. I wish I had a teacher like u and learning will be fun, as it should have been! So, keep up the good job! And oh, it takes hell lots of guts to do what u r doing right now. So…u r really inspiring!
Wow you’re a really good teacher..
I salute you..
Suet, kudos to you. I haven’t been leaving comments for the past year or so, coz just like you, I’m swamped with lots of things. But reading the most recent posts this morning left me teary-eyed and I am so so so proud of you and what you are doing for the children there. I can relate to how or what you feel coz I’m a lecturer (this is my first teaching job) and I’m also juggling studies for the past one year (doing my masters) and sometimes I really feel like giving up already. Kids nowadays are NOT easy to educate, I would say! And their English command is really terrible. I’m struggling to keep positive and think of ways on how to deliver my lectures effectively. You – keep up the good work, ‘kay!
super love this post hahaha. when are you back from perhentian!!!
i haven’t had holiday too!
malaysia needs more suet li!
eyeliner! I dont think I know what eyeliner is when I was their age.
being an inspiration to your kids is a great achievement. you should really be proud of that
enjoy your break after such a long term battling for your kids ‘ better future! you deserve them ^^
your posts about TFM are fine! Don’t worry. I’m sure a lot of us are eager to know about your life as a TFM participant
in fact, it is probably inspiring more Malaysian graduates to follow your foot step!
was it a male student who drew that catwoman picture of you? cos i saw a subtle outline of boobs! i think i would be really shy if i had to draw a small lump around the crotch area of my favorite male swimming teacher wtf
why the burger seller so damn power one, sell burgers in the middle of that dark road hahahahah. wait…. are you sure the burger stall is real? the seller is indeed human? maybe…………………………………….*makes werewolf ah-woooo sounds wtf
Why did you make me tear up T_T
“these kids know more than I actually do in some aspects, and to think that I pity them for being illiterates when they’re probably thinking the same about me not knowing their world”
You just made me realize that their world is so different; full of what we have never experienced before… Yet like everyone else, they have their joys and their sadness, their own story. But from your posts (all the little adorable notes they leave for you), i can tell they’re all slowly being inspired by you!
haha maybe twenty years down the road, you might read about yourself on their blog (like audrey’s most recent post about her fav. professor!). Sincerely, good luck
Well done. I long for holidays too so that I have time to read. I agree with the part you mentioned about the education system in Malaysia. From what I observed, the policy is superb,but implementation not that wise!Agree?
Suet Li, I think you’re doing an amazing job teaching these kids! Your decision to teach in a remote, less fortunate school is absolutely right despite, having to sacrifice several or if not, many other things in your life I’m sure. Takes a lot of courage and perseverance to do what you’re doing right now!
AND YES, MALAYSIA NEEDS MORE OF YOU in our teaching field. Keep it up! It’s never boring to read about your teaching experiences.
The thank you cards for students are genius! Instead of just accepting gifts or expecting appreciate from them, you chose to acknowledge them instead. I was so inspired that I did something similar for mine and added a cute wooden peg on it and they cried .. :’) thanks for the inspiration!
Am guilty as charge with regards to wanting to know the cute mushy puppy love among students.lol. in fact I ‘abused’ my teacher status and got them to write about my first love lol.. my form 5 kids went crazy with it. First time getting essays longer than 2 pages lol…
By the way, happy hols suet! You had a great run! More to come
The little girl asked you not to tell anyone about her crush but you posted it on your blog !!!
Okayy, we (readers) shall be cooperative and not tell anyone else ! Hehe… Secrets always leak because of the “I tell you but you don’t tell anyone”!
yes! you did an awesome job! the blog looks great. and a belated congratulations!http://www.kitsucesso.com
Well done & keep it up…
another easier way than cutting little holes on the MCQ answer sheet is to burn it with a mosquito coil.. it’s faster..
Sweat,u re a full time teacher?Very noble job.I remember i read ur blog three years ago.Now coming back reading.Your blog still nicest weii…
Why ur kinda teachers didnt exists durin my hiskool time? Atleast I dun hav to force myself to be in skool everyday hahaha
You’re amazing and an inspiration:) there should be more dedicated teachers out there like you!
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Ohhhhmaigad. So awesome wei. Good luck with the paper marking and data tracking! Enjoy your well-deserved holiday hehe.
Hahaha I felt really happy when I read “super long post ahead”! Have a greeeeeat well-deserved holiday and recharge your teaching batteries!
Hi suet li. ur blog was recommended to me by my cousin as i just got my posting to a certain sch in the middle of the paddy field. somewhere along the line i had lost my passion for teaching and joined an event company with the high life in penang.
now that posting is out n i was considering so hard whether to let go my good life n give it to the students who deserve it. after reading ur blog i’m very much encouraged that 1 teacher CAN and will make a difference. i’m going tomorrow. wish me luck suet li! cont blogging!
wasseehhh.. almost a year since i last checked ur blog. now u are a teacher!!!!
torturing but satisfying career.
Hi Suet, its very inspiring to read this and seeing what ur doing for the kids. Just want to encourage u to never stop and keep on soldiering because eventhough the kids may not reach the target but you gave them hope to try again. I once had a teacher like you when i was in form 5. Ever since form 1 until form 4, i always failed my modern maths diligently. The marks i get is between 19/100 to 30/100. By the time im in my final year, i gave up until this teacher of mine walked into my class and change our life, particularly my life. She never gave up on us, she was so persistence that drove me practicing my maths everyday on past year questions. Remember, this is someone who gets 19 to 30 marks…its always fail and fail and fail. But i never gave up because my teacher gave me hope. I fought and studied and practised hard, guess what? When my spm result came out, i got an A2 for my maths! Im am now doing at my final year law. I hold on to that when i feel shitty about my papers and it gave me hope even to this day.
Sorry so many typo error!
maybe u should u join cikgu suet classes?
oops maybe u should join cikgu suet classes
i am surprised budak kampung also know audi r8…
wtf.. that road is so scary i would never walk there alone…
i am surprised budak kampung also know audi r8…
wtf.. that road is so scary i would never walk there alone…
hello! i know this is really random but i’ve been following your blog for a long time and i just wanted to know i love your blogposts! they’re so funny! this one really cracked me up. your students are adorable and you’re doing such a great job! what you’re doing is truly amazing and i really look up to you.