The Final Farewell TPD of TELL2, Boohoo, Hooray

It only seems like yesterday, we had our very first TPD (Teachers Professional Development) in Pasir Puteh. Oh the sweet memories. It was a bright and beautiful day at the new PPD on the 15th of September. Before 2pm, the cars started to trickle in. Teachers emerged with big smiles and their hands filled.

As the drizzle of teachers started to fill the Dewan, there was lots of aromas wafting about. The back two tables became filled with an assortment of scrumptious and delicious dishes. Mama Mia! Sara brought lasagna and I pitched in with the teachers from SK Bukit Abal on a huge pasta dish. The tasty entree was made by our very own Teacher Siti Basirah and her mom. Other teachers contributed loads of desserts and some appetisers.

This final TPD a was ceremonious occasion, it was celebratory certificate giving event. All these wonderful teachers present had completed the programme. 18 months of life in the foxhole together had created deep and caring bonds. There was more than just skills transferred, it was more like attitude repositioning.  Of course this relationship wasn't a one way street.  We were accepted by our mentees, who taught us such much about the wonders of Malaysia. Moreover, they shared and included us in the local battle cry, "Gomo Kelatae Gomo!" Due to our common mutuality mindsets, we were all able to prosper.

I believe this as good as time as any, to give a role call of A-Team from Pasir Puteh. There was Terrific Trio form SK Banggol Pa' Esah: Teacher Asisiah, T Mohasnizam and T Nor Azizah. The Fine and Friendly Firm from SK Bukit Abal: T Hamizah, T Salmah, T Siti Basirah and T Suzana. Next, we got the Fantastic Four from SK Kampong Berangan: T Kamaruddin, T Mazwan, T Rofi'ah and T Siti Hazura. Next the High Quality Quad Squad from SK Padang Pa' Amat: T Sabariah, T Tengku Khairani, T Zahariman and T Zuraida. Finally, the Three Awesome Amigos from SK Panggong: T Rosilamtaon, T Zailina and T Zuraida.

All the above, are ALL STAR Teachers who made significant contributions to the programme. Each of them made remarkable progress. Everyone of them adapted some form of student centrerd learning to their lessons. Every single one them are responsible for improving the standard of English in their classrooms and increasing the smiles on the faces of their students. There were a noteworthy amount of English classes that went from the most dreaded to the popular subject in school. In every school, these teachers cooperated with their colleagues to make their English Panel the most prestigious panel in their respective schools.

After we dispensed the certificates, it was time to get down to business. In Malaysia, feasts are always at the forefront of any gathering. We were fortunate that our dynamic DLO Mr Sharir also joined us. Our teachers were so generous with the portion size of the dishes they brought, we were able to spread the table cloth long enough to invite the whole PPD to partake in the memorable occasion.

I'm getting all emotional even typing this.  This is an appropriate time to share my Mentor Philosophy.  I call it the Nanny McPhee approach. Nanny McPhee: There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go. It's rather sad, really, but there it is.

Also I want to go on the record,"Pasir Puteh Rocks!" You can quote me if you like. 

May Allah, the Most Kind and Most Generous permanently enshroud them in mercy and pour blessings on them all continuously!

Kelantan State Co-Curricular English Carnival

It was on the 16th of June, as fog started to dissipate as the sun's rays asserted themselves.  There was a constant flow of cars, vans, trucks and busses congregating in the field of SMK Belimbing, Tanah Merah. Teachers, closely trailed by their pack of students lined up for registration. Some students were wearing their school uniforms, while others were decked out in an array of colourful costumes.

The participants converged from the corners of the likes of Jeli and Gua Musang.  They were 10 districts in all: Bachok, Gua Musang, Jeli,  Kota Bharu, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah and Tumpat.  These districts are diverse populations from distinct topographies. Some are from forests, beaches, mountains, hills, rural and urban environments. Yet this heterogeneous group of participants had two things in common: they were all Anak Kelantan (Kelantan Kids) and first place prize winners from their districts.

The crowd was so large, that group was split between two school venues for the competition. The SMK hosted the Action Song Competition on the main stage. The Scrabble contest was also held there.  The remaining events like Poetry Reading, Public Speaking and Story Telling were held at SK Belimbing. SK Bukit Abal team consisted of PKP Cikgu Mustpha, Teacher Maznah, Teacher Siti Basirah, Teacher Faridah, Teacher Suzana, Teacher Wan Azurainee and 15 fabulous Yr 3 students.

All the action song teams were huddled together in their groups throughout the auditorium. There were lots of fantastic costumes as far as the eye the could see. Last year's state champ, SK Kuala Krai, had home court advantage. Students and faculty cheered on the home team who had elaborate costumes and stage design. It was intimidating. Nonetheless, the lads and lasses from SK Bukit Abal took a deep breath, then put on on their game faces.

They stepped on stage ready to do battle. They quickly got in their positions, hunched over with their heads down. They started to pound their fists, when the music started. The  group exploded in 'Wavin' Flag' by K'naan, "oh,oh,oh,oh,oh,oh (2 times) Give Me Freedom, Give Me Fire!" It was electric, but even the Kuala Krai dominated crowd got swept up by their energy.  They gave it all they got and their teachers were thrilled. When the dust settled, SKBA walked away a third place finish in State, second year in a row. Fantabulous Team SKBA and especially Teacher Siti Basirah!

Frog Mini Summits & Trainings

As you are aware from previous posts, FROGVLE is a new tool in the Malaysian Teacher's arsenal. A quick reminder, VLE stands for Virtual Learning Environment. All the schools in Malaysia have access to this new technology. Most schools are catching up to speed and realising the computer monitor must be a fixture in the 21st Century classroom.  It's an ultimate whiteboard enhancer. Breathing life into cold lessons and attracting the Digital Generation with student centred tech savvy.

These new tools are only effective if Teachers are trained how to use it. Training alone will not bridge the gap. It's not until teachers apply their training into the classroom, will the rubber hit the road. TELL2 in Kelantan recognised the need, while facilitating training and classroom application of FrogVLE.  Fortunately, we shared a mutuality mindset with a FrogAsia trainer named Mohammed Fitri, who collaborated and presented at 2 Frog Mini Summits for us. Not to mention, we have found friendly confines at SK Kampong Berangan to host our first summit. It was nurtured by the cooperation of many excellent mentors of the TELL2 team.

The event occurred on Monday, 11th of May at SKKB. This was the shining jewel in this year’s crown of training. Toby & AB have been envisioning a FROGVLE training project for mentors and MTPs alike for quite some time. Consequently with big help from Cigku Bahar, GB Sir Rusli and DLO Mr Sharir, we were able to pull together this IT training event. In the end we had 11 TELL2 Mentors from 2 States, 29 Teachers from 24 Schools / 4 Districts / 6 TELL2 Subclusters.  Mr. Mohd Fitri conducted the training designed to maximise  FROGVLE in teaching English to Tahap 1. It was a smashing success, so much so it led to Frog Mini Summit 2 in Kuala Krai.

Two attendees, Mentor Mark and his MTP, went back to Kuala Krai and reported the worthwhileness of the event to their DLO.  Frog Mini Summit 2 in Kuala Krai took place at SK Sungai Embak on Monday, the 6th of July. It was held with 41 English teachers from Tahap 1, one from every school in the district attended. Muhammad Fitri from Frog, presented and showcased new Frog features and I presented how to use SCORM in teaching English. Mentors Scott and Mark were involved in arranging and training. It was well received, but it did not end there.

Mentor Yusuf has a MTP named Teacher Rosmihah at SK Dewn Beta. She was the catalyst to host another Frog Training at her school. Although our friends at Frog were busy, we did not want to miss an opportunity to satisfy a customer. On Monday, the 10th of August about 16 of Yusuf's mentees from various schools in Kota Bharu converged for a Frog training event. The internet was crawling that day at 0.8 MPS. It slowed down the amount of material we could cover, but as they say ,"The show must go on." We learned basic FROGVLE  login, timeline, quick assignment and an intro to SCORM.

On a human note, not only did the training event bring the latest in IT for teaching English, it was also a homecoming. My former college roommate Zaki Bin Yaacob is an alumni of SKDB. Teacher Rosmihah happens to be a former classmate of Zaki. Therefore, we arranged for a joyous reunion at the end of event. This is a small example how TELL2 in Kelantan has been able to preserve the past, while charting forward thinking on the 21st century roadmap with techniques like FROGVLE. We have two more FROGVLE trainings pending for the final month of TELL2. Ribbit!

Buka Puasa/ Breaking Fast Gatherings 2015

Ramadhan 2015 in Malaysia began the first day of fasting on Thursday, 18th of June. Ramadhan is the ninth month of year based on the Islamic Lunar Calendar. It is a holy month observed worldwide by Muslims. One of the main activities is fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting requires no eating or drinking. In Kelantan the canteen is shut the entire month.

Buka Puasa Gatherings are very common during the last 10 days of Ramadhan. Usually, it is an event held at school, during sunset, where teachers, parents and villagers can mingle and share the holiday spirit. Some schools choose to make a team building event where all the teachers and their families gather at restaurant to buka. I was invited to both type events this year.  I was also fortunate, my best friend (my wife) accompanied me to these community events.

The season kicked off with SK Kampong Berangan's Buka. They held it at the school, and tasty plates of delectables were scattered throughout the Dewan.  They also had fresh glasses of air tuak(coconut nectar) and air terbuk(sugar can)available, The local imam led supplications until the sunset, then we all broke our fast together.

The teachers at SK Pangong chose to have their buka party at Bypass Seafood Restoran in Pasir Puteh. The place was packed with all the smiling faces of teachers and their families. Since it was catered, no teacher had to harness the burden of cleaning up. The place is well known for their flavoursome ikan 3 rasa. T Zalina was kind enough to include us in one of her family's tables. It was very pleasant time.

SK Banggol Pak Esah had theirs at school. The GB, invited the Imam of Tarawih from Masjid Muhaddiyya (PP) to attend as well. The teachers and their families gathered in the canteen for the festive event.  All the teachers and families were buzzing with excitement as sunset approached.

I also attended another TELL2 schools event in Jeli.  I was invited to attend SK Pendok's Buka Event with coworkers Ian and Philip.  The GB, Ustaz Rafie, also invited the first class from the school's opening 50 years ago to attend. It was a joy to listen to the living history and hear the numerous changes the school has underwent overtime.

All the multiple venues with the various arrangements, had two common threads. The first thread was of bonding and the second thread was tasty food. It was a blessed month and these events are definitely fond memories.