In the name of Allah, Possesser of all Knowledge.
Next week marks the start of my life as a full-time teacher trainee.
Anxious? Yes. Sometimes I feel like I'm feeling too anxious and nervous for this. I even felt physical discomforts - fatigued, felt as if some kind of lump is stuck in my throat, et cetera.
Perhaps because I do not like to be observed. But without observation, how can a supervisor assess his or her teacher trainees, no?
I may not like to be observed but the thoughts of how can a teacher affects the life of his or her students rejuvenates me every time. So I have to believe in myself, forget all worries and remember why I chose teaching as a profession.
This reminds me to write a review on a book I read during holiday, more than a week ago.
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Title: Today I Made A Difference - A Collection of Inspirational Stories for America's Top Educators
Author: Various authors (edited by Joseph W. Underwood)
Pages: 212
Publisher: Adams Media
Even experts have times when they are disillusioned with their failures or incompetencies. They will feel so low, downtrodden and unmotivated.
Have you ever feel such feelings before?
When this happens, the best remedy is to rekindle that little spark of passion in your heart - by revisiting your reasons of choice; and your most treasured and unforgettable moments, which have made a difference to your life.
One of the ways is by reading other people's inspirational stories. And this one is a remedy for teachers.
The book Today I Made A Difference is really a good read I would readily recommend to all teachers out there, and to anyone else interested. It compiles stories shared by various authors who are also teachers who received special Disney Teacher Award.
The book is divided into five sections namely Inspirations, Impressions, Instructions, Interruptions and Illuminations which roughly reflect the different aspects of a teacher.
I was most touched when I was reading Jason Kuhlman's The Power of Kindness and Carol Boyer's Yo Soy Maestra (I Am A Teacher). I was a bit emotional while reading Julie Harris's Two Toms, and feeling somewhat romantic when reading Susan Menkes's Making The Cut. I was most inspired when I was reading Brigitte Tennis's Teaching Gems.
The stories compiled in this book covers various different aspects of a teacher's life - why they chose teaching, what keeps them in the profession, and how can they make a difference to their students' life (and sometimes, save the life without them realising it).
This book is specially recommended to all teachers but anyone can read this, I assure you. Because, there must be - at least once - in your life, when you had a teacher who really made a difference in your life -- either through their kind and supportive gestures, or perhaps through their never-ending advices and words of wisdom. This is how a reader can relate the stories in this book with their own lived experience.
As for teachers, these stories can be a reminder and perhaps a motivation to reminds us that teaching profession may be tiring and draining out lives out of our mortal being, but it has the most satisfying reward when we know that our students become successful people and remember us.
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And I would like to wish all the best to all Cohort 4 members who will begin their practicum starting next week. Teaching may be harsh and tiring but hang in there, dear friends! The ease will definitely come after difficulties.
"Try to see your practicum as a positive experience, only then you'll be able to enjoy it," so said Mr. Harbinder Singh, my supervisor. :')
"O Allah! Teach me what I do not know, and grant me understanding of your Knowledge and Wisdom. Lift up and away any barrier or veil from my chest so that I can better learn and strive to better myself as a better Muslim everyday."
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