It's hard to summarize all that I've been through or met up with over those 16 odd months. I'll break them down via my main feelings -->
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Awkwardness: It was 'funny' interacting with the P1s and P2s initially. For my height and size, I appeared like a giant to them. Thankfully, by the time I arrived at the school, it was after term 1, i.e. Mar 08. I guessed if I came in at the same time as they did, I would properly have scared the freak out of them. LOL. I still remember how I tried to 'appear' nicer, by lowering my tone (given my usual loud voice) and 'tuning' to a more friendly (or should I say childish? :P) voice.
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Disappointment: I was left hugely disappointed at not being able to take over a CL class of my own for the 2nd half of 2008. Main reason behind that was because it was thought that my further studies will begin in July '08 and that I will leave the school shortly after returning from Jun '08 holidays. Therefore it would have been disruptive if I were to be assigned a class, only to leave after barely a month or 2's time.
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Interesting: I think I can quite safely say that I'm one of the only/few CL teachers who had experience of teaching other subjects. Yes, teach, not just relief the period. I remember hearing from a P2 form teacher how her class marveled that "陈老师很厉害。他会讲/教英文!" after standing in for her for a day. LOL. These kids can be so naive. They actually think CL teachers can only speak CL or have a low command of ENG. :P
Math topic I covered on included money and solving problem sums using diagrams. Science topic were mainly on living things and energy. My shortest stint of non-CL lesson was Music. Only one period. LOL. Remember it was near National Day and taught P2 class Stephanie Sun's and Kit Chan's songs.
Longest stint for non-CL lesson has got to be Social Studies. Originally meant to take over for 2 wks, my spell as a P5 and P6 SS teacher was extended by another 1-2 wks cos of fellow colleagues medical leave extension. Guess my SS classes will remember me for all my flow charts and diagrams which I used for lesson explaination and their notes taking.
Oh, before I forget, I took P5 Health Ed during the time when I relieved for SS too.
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Fun: There were some interesting and nice characters around - ranging from colleagues to students. Life was never dull in school. Once in a while you do get the odd routine day but with conversations/interactions amongst colleagues, CCAs, lessons etc. there were always ups and downs. I will remember the kids from P1/5 and P1/6 of 2008 for they were my 1st encounter with classes in KHS. Its heartening that even after a year, they still greated me or called my name from afar whenever they see me in sch, with the same enthusiasm. ^_^
My '08 P6 SS classes were a nice bunch. I can't say they are the super 乖 type. :P I mean its normal for them to try a bit of mischief upon seeing a new face, a 'part timer' (since they knew I'm not taking over for permanent) and let alone, a CL teacher teaching SS. But they were co-operative and fun-loving. I'm all for jokes and humour, to the right limit/extent and I would like to think that these students' characteristics helped played a part in making my SS lessons not as plain and boring as it might have been.
P5/7 '08 was my favourite class, no doubt. And till date, it still is (i.e. P6/9 '09). Again they are not the super 乖 type. They can be cheeky. They can be loud. They can be mischevious. They can be funny. They can be disobedient at times. But that's the 'child' in them. They have never showed defiance. They just express themselves the way they prefer/want to. They called and gave me a nick which I'm got known for in sch but I could always felt the respect they show, both as a teacher and friend. Like I told the class on my last day in sch, one thing I like about them is them being themselves (of course, without overstepping the boundary).
[Thanks for the fun photo taking session too! ^_^ Will load the pics to Facebook acc - which I've been lazy to maintain for ages. LOL.]
P6/1 '08 was another nice class. It was a pity I couldn't know them better/earlier. They were such a studious class but in no way were they nerdy. LOL. They enjoyed their PE lessons and what more can a PE teacher ask for? In a way, they are really the type who work hard and play hard. Never had a problem conducting PE lessons with their class.
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Apologetic: I feel sorry for my PE classes. Yeah, I really do. I'm not trained in this field, so for my lessons, I don't conduct activities like teaching 'new' games such as rugby, hockey, floorball etc. That meant my PE classes were usually playing ball games - soccer, basketball, captains ball etc. Thankfully, majority of them enjoy playing these games but I still feel guilty because if they have had another PE teacher, they would be able to experience new games/activities.
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Only told some closer students when my last day was, but the form teacher of my P4 CL class actually informed them about my pending departure so I was greeted with well wishes and messages of thanks such as “陈老师，谢谢你叫我们读书。” from those kids. The feeling was a little funny cos in class they can be quite mischievous. Out of a sudden, they appear so polite and sensible. LOL. They were also pretty thoughtful and creative, creating cards/crafts as group gifts for me (e.g. each card is from multiple students).
Also received a card with wishes from my colleagues from CL department - both AM and PM sessions. It was a nice touch of gesture and I certainly did not see it coming. They have been really helpful and friendly along the way and I have never felt out of place working, talking, joking and gossiping with them. LOL. And dare say, the CL department is one really united family. ^_^
And some other tokens from other students (sorry if I never post photo of those you gave me, cos there were quite a lot so couldn't post all up). Others included items such as Famous Amos cookies, Toblerone chocolate, basketball and notepad.
Okieee, shall end my looonggg post here. As per the topic, thanks for the memories. I will/should be back to visit all of you. Wait for (and don't forget) me, ya? :P Meanwhile, take care, work hard and best wishes!!! ^_^ Will miss ya all! Till we meet again!
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