Tuesday 31 August 2010

Happy Teachers' Day

For me, teachers' day used to come and go without fanfare but this year, it has taken a new meaning after I started volunteering at the primary school. When I offered my time in the school garden, I didn't quite know what to expect.

I most certainly didn't foresee other perks besides seeing the kids blossom and the garden grow. I attended my first Teachers Day dinner (Groovie Nite) at Conrad Hotel last night and what an eye opener it was!

More than 100 teachers came dressed in their colourful best, ready to party the night away. Being surrounded by radiant and vivacious teachers made me appear staid in a black empire dress.

There were prizes and performances, coupled with good food, we didn't leave until 11pm. The teachers will get their well deserved rest today. My weekly session with the kids happens to fall on Wednesday, so it's an off-day for me too.

Volunteering my time at the school has made me realise how important the role of a teacher is towards moulding young lives. Our charges are a motley bunch of 8 and 9-year-old kids who have problems coping with schoolwork or social life. Some live in a children's home because their parents are not around or able to care for them.

With the guidance of the teachers, they've not only improved academically but also picked up useful skills after school hours. These same kids bake cookies and sell them in the school canteen to raise funds. Last week, one boy presented me a pack of butter cookies. I was so impressed.

They have performed line dance in many school events, to the delight of the teachers and students. When they've finished their homework, they spend the afternoons working on art and craft projects or in the computer lab.

When it comes to gardening, their enthusiasm for learning is so infectious, even their teachers enjoy gardening now. Besides weeding, growing and watering, they can now rattle off the names of all the fruit trees and herbs in the school garden as well as identify the various kinds of pest and diseases that plague the plants. It has been an extremely rewarding journey for me.

12 comments:

Malar said...

Happy teacher's day to you!
Working as teacher is not easy task! big responsible! and Yes, gardening is really interesting!

Ji said...

Happy Teacher's Day Ting. I am sure it is extremely fulfilling to work with the kids! See you at the prison run this sunday!

Amel said...

Reading this post puts smiles on my face. Hey, that dress suits you, hot mama! :-D I guess I can relate to your feelings 'coz this is more or less what I felt when I was helping out in the daycare...it's really an honour and privilege to be able to help kids grow to the best of their abilities.

ckl said...

Well done! You obviously have done a great job in teaching these kids, at the same time it’s been rewarding for you so it’s a win-win situation!

The World According To Me said...

I think you looked radiant in your black dress.

Sounds very rewarding and fulfiling. And it's so encouraging to hear what positive things these kids are doing.

Happy Teaching!

Blur Ting said...

Malar - Thanks! Being a real teacher is not easy. My job is really easy though, just bring them to the garden and grow things.

Blur Ting said...

Ji - Thanks! And yes, see you on Sunday!

Blur Ting said...

Amel - Yes, you were a teacher too! Happy teacher's day.

Blur Ting said...

CKL - Indeed. Plus I like kids.

Blur Ting said...

World - You're always so sweet!

Anonymous said...

It's awesome designed for me to have a web site, which is beneficial for my know-how. thanks admin
My weblog :: men pull away

Anonymous said...

Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.

When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.

I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other
then that, fantastic blog!

Have a look at my web blog - garcinia cambogia

Chowmahalla Palace

During our week in Hyderabad, some of the places we visited include the Mecca Mosque, the Charminar (the icon of Hyderabad), Sufi Shrine, Bi...