During last week, my colleagues and I were having a programme in a particular school. Let say my first impression was diminished at the very moment when we were not welcomed by the students. Some of them even said to me, they have an even better things to do rather than sitting at the hall with us. Some of them were friendly but not really co-operate with any activities we've thrown. We were to spend 3 days and two nights with them and on that moment, I'd thought that we are doomed. MY FEELINGS was WORST than standing for the 1st time in a stage doing my humiliating public speaking failure. They didn't even gave us any inputs but standing there just staring at each other wondering why they were trapped with us (probably the best thought I could think of). Only at the end of the day that we were able to at least put a smile on their faces and hearing their laughter by satisfying their wishes to sing a song. This song was a theme song for the whole three days. TOGETHER. I put away all my shyness just to sing a song with them .
Only during the last day, my heart was touched by the way they treated us. Some of them even volunteer to sing, speaking and they had given quite a good co-operation. It was a total compensation of what I have felt before on the first day, all hard works paid off, no hard feelings and they even help us to put our things back into the car. I guess this was what a person felt when they were not accepted they way they are. First impressions doesn't mean the truth and even it is important but it was not a crucial part in teaching. Impressions and perceptions is a killing stones for a teacher. I remember seeing a student that was quite a rebel. He only sat inside his circle of peers that was the same as him, rebel and troublesome as I saw. But during one of the activity, I intentionally persuade him to win a group game. He was the first one to solve the puzzle and there I can see his happy face when we turn our attention towards him. Yes ATTENTION. Do rebellious and troublesome kids need attention? Of course! Even good students need it why not them? Don't leave them when they are in troubles or making it, as a teacher if we do that, we will destroy him.
This entry was not made to tarnish any teachers or counsellors image but I have a say that maybe some of them doesn't trust us. WHY?...
It hurts me the most when one of them ask me that why we came over there. Do we come because of them or because it was a term in our subject to get marks. (This lingers in my mind long enough)
When I came to think of it, yes I came for the second answer above. But, as I thought hard, I came for them. It was true that I have met them unintentionally however, I did come the next day for them. Even I can go back and lost hope to at least do something that can put a little positive change in them. BUT I COME BACK FOR THEM. This things that I need to do for the rest of my life serving as an educator. I have met many amazing teachers but not educators. That dedicated their live and serving equally to each of this unique and special souls that need US. How many of them that ran away from home and find peace in our place? How many of them that say we change their life into a better one? I have met a few that help in becoming the aid in changing their students live but how many of us will be as that educator? When I got back from this program, I have realised that in order to help them, we must empower ourselves and straighten our intentions.
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