After 3 days, my entire professionalism kind of tired and some how I find myself stuck in a situation when people who manages teachers make me sick to my stomach.

I think when you’re conducting a training to a teachers, you always put your wise word carefully so you would not disrespect them.

My first session runs smoothly for entire 3 days so I thought the next session would be the same.

After closing the first session, we (the trainers) received an SMS from Nida telling about a complaint about the hamper.

According to some people (who managing teachers), some how there is teachers who complaint about the worth of the hamper – kind of to cheap!

I’m still puzzle about the complaint does the complaint really comes from who? Teachers or them? None of my teachers on the previous session voice its out, they were very happy and shock to get those thing.

The story behind it; Since the training conducted during Ramadhan times – a normal daily food budget – to be provided by contractor have to converted into something else, it’s RM15 a day per teachers (RM45 in total).

This budget was a token nothing much than an allowance.

I didn’t know the head and the tail about the arrangement so I would not know what’s the issues of those arrangement.

However, the issues was brought up on the first day on my second session and it’s spoiling the teachers behavior up to the roof.

As a trainers, this kind of administration conflict make the objectives of the training derail from its original track and it’s surely a possible coalition will happen up ahead.

By mid morning on day 4 which after a visit by one kej, thing get nasty and I had one question playing on my mind unanswered, do I deserves to be disrespectful?

On my first session, a JPN representative do comes to my session – since during TTT – we’ve been brief about paperwork so we’ve been equip with necessary paperwork – such as attendance of the teachers – so we didn’t expect, we’ve to do theirs (JPN) paperwork too on my previous session;

So my gut feeling said – with the system – provided by JrJ – that was our proof of works!

But according to the kej, that would not be enough!

First, she storm in to my training session without properly introduce herself, and she starts to disturb my facilitator at the back – and teachers who concentrating on me – started to realises something fishy.

Suddenly without an ‘Excuse Me’ – she comes forward in between a few teachers – asking me – in a tone – an English slang – which really annoy me;

“Where is your first session attendance?” I showed her my previous session attendance list.

“No! Not that one. The one from JPN, which you supposedly to hand out to teachers?”  - side note, that attendance sheet not even have a JPN name on it.

I showed her the empty sheet – “The previous guy said the one I show you would be enough”

With her sendat face she said – “How do I want paid you if you not done your jobs properly?”

B*tch! – My mouth shout without a voice – instead I said – “That not my jobs, it’s your jobs to make sure thing get properly documented”  - and all teachers looking at my face since my tone change into a slut in the back ally.

She retreat! I think that was a big blow to her – she thought nobody in this world would said that to her face; I heard she always make fuss in the school too – same like my situation now.

Suddenly she was on the phone calling all schools, which its teachers still missing from that class and the previous class.

By late noon – I had more and more teachers arriving! I said to myself, how to handle so many teachers in single session; and some more when you’ve force them to comes – surely their minds is not into the class!

And that was our first fight! Yes, our first fight!

After that she try again to mess out with me – I’m not sure does she want to proves that she is doing her jobs or she just like to find other people mistakes.

This times – she said – I’m a fierce person, a lot of teachers don’t like me – and I said – Yes, I’m scared! – with a scary fake face.

Then she ask teachers to get the courseware from the labs – I said I don’t want to take risk if anything missing from the school and ask her to take the responsibility instead – and she give an excuses to ask me to get the permission from the school – Of course, the schools said NO.

Huh!

And she continue, complaints about teachers getting tired if I didn’t follow the session schedule; I said everybody look happy and walking around discussing right now – so why need to follow the schedule rigidly! I know what I’m doing – I’m putting teachers as my best interest.

A little while after that – she said to my facilitator – we’ve to go back late depending to the last teachers comes – so I said to her – I don’t care – when I comes in the morning – if only 2 teachers comes, I’ll still continue with the training – I come here to train not to administrated teachers – I even didn’t know whose teachers comes – somehow she have all the list of the teachers –  so it’s her jobs to making sure everybody comes on time.

What a kej! By lunch break – she left – I think she can’t stand that she can’t bullied me; and she said she will come back on the day 6 to see my class presentation – I said straight to her face – I’m god damn good trainer! You don’t need to worry…

Somehow out of this, people will think this would be my personal vendetta towards her – I’m not against her – but dealing with teachers is your jobs – when in training like this – it’s my territory – so have a little respect – you can’t be a cow inside a tiger cage – you’ll get eaten!

Enough about her!

The day 4 does run smoothly after that;

This session we’ve a few teachers who really is just a beginner; to tell the truth – some of them not even had open a laptop before – so I’m very proud by end of the day, when they comes to me – and said – Now, I know what is a latch and where it’s located!

Teachers looking a files in her notebooks

Teachers are checking out on their notebooks specification

Me guiding one teachers about their files storage management

Teachers looking at their syllabus on the courseware topics

Teachers holding one of the courseware supplied to them

One group of teachers doing task based activities with the projector.

Teachers take time to get to know each others to share their experience especially about their Kelas Pemulihan issues.

Teachers looking at the courseware

Me with teachers have a little chit chat about their notebooks problem

Teachers looking at the courseware.

I breathe with some relief – teachers do really like me and they are on my side.

A big thank you to all teachers of 1st session PPSMI VI, as a gratitude everybody received a token of appreciation, a controversial kuih raya hamper….

Cikgu S. Sathiyanatham of SJK (T) Ladang Bukit Kcedek

Cikgu Norizan of SK Datuk Abdullah

Cikgu Lai Kah Voon of SJK (C) Kg Baru Gemas

Cikgu Robiah of SK Dr Sulaiman

Cikgu Maizion of SK (F) Jelai 2

Cikgu Mahalatchumi of SJK (T) Ladang Sg Kelamah

Cikgu Norhayati of SK Datuk Abdullah

Cikgu Siti Zubaidah of SMRA Repah

Cikgu Noraini of SK Datuk Abdullah

Cikgu Idahyunizah of SK (F) Bukit Rokan Utara 

Cikgu Shufarahaziah of SK (F) Pasir Besar

 
Cikgu Azian of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman

Cikgu Sabtuyah of SK Bukit Jalor

Cikgu Tuan Badrul Hisyam of SK Kampong Ladang

Cikgu Siti Norhaida of SK (F) Pasir Besar

Cikgu LilyAzwa of SK (F) Jelai 1

Cikgu Firdaus of SK Sungai Jerneh

Cikgu Nafsiah of SMRA Repah

Cikgu Hizam Hadi of SK Sungai Jerneh

Cikgu Yeap Shiau Theng of SK Tampin

Cikgu Ong Choo Keng of SK Tampin 

(Some teachers photos are missing since the camera didn’t function properly)

For 5 selected mentors, they received another certificate;

Cikgu Ong

Cikgu Idahyunizah

Cikgu Robiah

Cikgu Ahmad Zaki of SK Sg Dua

Cikgu Siti Zubaidah

Cikgu Maizion as the best presenter

A big thank you to Encik Razib for giving out all the hamper

Pn Aini of SK Tunku Besar for providing us with great venue

On the day 4, the 2nd session started with another 30 + 4 teachers and thing get a little bit nasty… when the kej come crawling and the hamper is become of the controversial issues.

I don’t really understand with JPN!

…to be continue…

So many things happen in past few days – this entry kind of delayed – but I was so impress with the outcome of the 3 days training.

On the third day, this is the last day for 1st batch of teachers attending the PPSMI training.

In the morning, we started with Ms Office 2007 environment introduction. Teachers were so impress with the user friendly of the software compared the previous version they use before.

Cikgu Ong play around with MS PowerPoint using SmartDraw graphics

Guiding one of teachers where to save her files

All teachers concentrating on their laptop

Cikgu Maizion aka Cikgu Stress – doing her presentation – she was so deep in her notebook screen

Cikgu Nafsiah, Cikgu (will recall her name later) and Cikgu LilyAzwa can’t take her eyes of the screen. – I’ve really bad short term memory to remember some of the teachers name – so my apology.

They learn MS Word and MS PowerPoint for preparation on the presentation material.

With a little skill they get from SmartDraw, I kind of scared they would not have enough time to prepare a solid presentation.

But my perception was so wrong. They work so hard to explore many more other features I could not have time shared with them.

With MS Learning Essential topics and the template provided by MOE, all teachers so grateful. Next time they would able to standardise all their teaching materials throughout the whole years.

I’m explaining about the MS Learning Essential shortcut function

All teachers not even planning to go lunch although I’m insist they should have an hour break

Cikgu Ong and Cikgu Yeap trying to integrate MS Learning Essential template with MS PowerPoint

Most of teachers stay on their sits to finish the presentation.

Cikgu Zaki, Cikgu Hazim & Cikgu Sathi doing an animation and slide transition; they manages to do some interesting effect to add some exciting features

Zubir come handy when many teachers keep raising their hand for extra help

Cikgu Lai goes extra miles by using MS Excel to integrate her Bar Chart’s presentation

I was so handful trying to explain the MS Learning Essential advantages

Cikgu Azian looking at many of the templates given by the MOE inside the Resources CD.

After lunch, teachers starts to do their presentation;

Cikgu Yeap & Cikgu Ong come first – they explains how they use SmartDraw in the presentation

On group of teachers having a little difficulty with their connection to the projector

Cikgu Saravanan explaining about his Pie Chart creation using SmartDraw

Two of teachers showing their graphics made using SmartDraw

And this two teachers use the Shape & Space topic in their presentation

One group have some difficulty too with the AV system;

Cikgu Badrul and Cikgu A showing their presentation about Animal topics

The food pyramid created by one of the group – all made by SmartDraw

Cikgu Siti Zubaidah, Cikgu Nafsiah & Cikgu LilyAzwa introduces themselves before started their presentation

And they used English as the topics of the presentation

Cikgu Azian ending the presentation session with her Foods topics planning to use on her Pendidikan Khas classes

One teacher who one of the braves enough to come out alone was Cikgu Maizion – our Cikgu Stress!

At the beginning she having a little difficulty connecting the projector port;

Once she starts her presentation – I was impressed – she do a very impressive graphics of Floor Plan using SmartDraw

She explain how students may identify part of the house plan she have created

And she explain too how she created the floor plan from a basic Floor Plan using SmartDraw symbol

Next, she explain how she use Texture Fill features to create a different type of floor

And everybody voted her presentation as the best presentation that day but to me everybody was impressively outstanding when you look back at the beginning of the first day.

After an eventful on Day 1, today all teachers have a plenty of time to explore the new software introduce to them; SmartDraw  2008 – although with a slight setback, nothing would hurt their effort to acquire the skills.

With WiFi problem solved by noon yesterday, to execute the training syllabus today was less pain in the ass.

Most of the topics today required a direct access to internet using SchoolNet server. We started with Internet topics on how to create a dial-up connection, LAN and connection to WiFi. Added briefly on Firewall, Automatics Update and Antivirus topics.

Some of the teacher still unaware about their laptops antivirus software since most of them just got the laptop from their school office.

By noon, we had plenty of time to concentrate for the SmartDraw skills acquisition – we done a run through on the interface for an hour then teachers proceed with hands-on training to prepare for the big presentation tomorrow.

Teachers looking at their notebook to know more about the security

Teachers also get to learn how to search for information over the Internet after get well knowledgeable in how to make a connection to the internet via the WiFi

Still in group, teachers will get hands-on how to surf the net

Some teachers taking an initiative to check SmartDraw application

While certain teachers still surfing for the material they going to use for the presentation tomorrow

Check out Cikgu Maizion having some difficulty with her SmartDraw – don’t stress out – it’s downloading the gallery from the net

Teachers have plenty of times today to have their own sweet time to get familiar with SmartDraw

At last Cikgu Stress able to solved her IP conflict – next to her En Razib from PPD Tampin

While teachers break for lunch; I was busy on the phone with JrJ staff complaining about the hassle in registering Teacher’s Pre-Test. – Till now the system only capture 15 teachers only instead of 28; Issshhh…

I don’t know how many more hassle we’ve to put up with JrJ server load – hopefully they able to rectify the problem by the second session started on Thursday.

After lunch all teachers continue to explore the SmartDraw – although the mistakes done by the supplier by providing a trial period instead of the full version – all teachers without doubt very much excited to use the software in the long run.

Cikgu Azwa looking at her English subject material from the net

Also teachers get to visit eduwebtv portal – which broadcast all the necessary information from MOE

During lunch, some teachers taking an initiative to play around with SmartDraw application

Cikgu Lai caught by Zubir doing other stuff – she smiles – I said its ok, since it was a lunch break time

Two teachers in deep discussion about SmartDraw’s workarea and symbols

One drawing material done by teachers using SmartDraw

Another one created by teachers, however pretty sad – all her work lost since her notebook get infected by the virus/trojan

One Cikgu exploring the use of chart and table in SmartDraw

Its me by the end of days – my voice is really out but I’m happy as usual. Happy people don’t get upset easily….

…except for the unprofessionalism and non-sense!

Tomorrow, last day on our first session!

What a day! So much happening in a single day till I had a huge headache… but it’s all worth it for the sake of our younger generation

By 7.30 am, we arrived at SK Tunku Besar, Tampin – some of teachers already well arrived and wondering around the school compound looking for the computer labs.

Big apology and a big hand shake from for a great enthusiasm.

Mak oii... the computer labs here is so well maintain, I was not dare to use it;

By following an advice by Cikgu Aini, the school’s IT co-ordinator, we used another rooms instead, a not yet completed computer labs turn into a training rooms, equip with many basic equipment for a great training session.

Although Cikgu Aini insist to use mic & speakers, I kept those a side; with my voice – all the students will get distracted easily with my funny tone.

The Jalur Gemilang waved dramatically at the entrance of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tunku Besar, Tampin, Negeri Sembilan

School’s compound;

Nobody at the canteen? It’s fasting month – all the memories comeback to me, how much this place bring so much foods to my stomach for my 6 years at primary schools back in SK Kutan.

The school blocks and a little tiresome landscape

It’s same in every schools, a corridor where you like to hang out and play; catch the poll! and get bullied by a bigger size classmate?

Computer labs entrance; See… well equipped with security alarms.

In the morning, to make all 30 teachers know each others, we do an ice breaking session ‘Pemburu Manusia’ – such a fun! – Did anyone got BINGO without my signature?

Cikgu, one signature one box – don’t cheat! – Nolah Sir.

Saya peminat Anuar Zain! I’ve two kids – Lets exchange signature – insisted Cikgu Azian

Tak cukup lagilah, sir. Cikgu got another 5 minutes to finish; did you ask Zubir, my faci for his signature – he might got girlfriend who knows some famous people! Siti Nurhaliza maybe…

Nobody got BINGO yet? Nolah, sir.

I think I meet Jay Chou before in KL, insist Cikgu Yeap of SK Tampin – is that count as one signature? Canlah…

By noon, we do a Task Based Activities – complete the task sheet to check what is the specification of the notebooks; Why my notebook don’t have RAM? Got, Cikgu it’s here at the System Information where you can get all the details – Oooooh….

Cikgu Sara looking over other teachers installing a printer drivers – I’ve done it, sir; Really hah? Show me the Print Test sheet…. Ok, ok…good.

By appointing a mentor, some teachers would able to help other teachers who still lack of knowledge in notebook hardware.

Cikgu Zaki, one of the mentor is help Cikgu Hamizan finding some information about his notebook – pretty impressive by my standard!

Zubir, already tired hah? He got stomach ache eating a ‘Sup Ekor’ sahur provided by the hotel last night – he was handling almost half a day setting up the WiFi – Hisham, what is a bad sector, one teacher ask me? Ayoooooyoo… do I need to train you too? Hahah

By 4pm, all 7 syllabus for today finished smoothly – but we still unable to key-in the Pre Test since JrJ server is still busy with all training centre load;

Have to give a huge credit today to Cikgu Aini & Cikgu Ahmad, PK 1 of SK Tunku Besar for providing the best venue for a level of school – far better than a certain 3 to 4 star hotels;

Although there is couple of glitch with the WiFi problem and the spoil USB printer cable, the training run smoothly till the end of the days.

PPD Tampin officer who come visited us do get to smiles when I crack a stupid joke about using the laptop for a personal use when its already well written ‘HAK KERAJAAN MALAYSIA’ on each of the laptop given to the teachers.

After two panadols; I’m douse off for tomorrow activites; the SmartDraw – a big budget deals by MOE to help teachers to better hands-on in theirs daily teaching material.

Does its worth it? You’ve to wait… what? By the result of the next UPSR? Really ahhh.. Mr. Hishammuddin?

After 2 weeks of preparation; a lot of hard work have been put by Nida’s family – I’m impressed by her professionalism and hardwork – a little surprise by me – make her smiles

Today, all the trainers gathered at Nida’s office before we off to schools chosen as the training centre in Negeri Sembilan.

As plan, I’ve been allocated for SK Tunku Besar, Tampin, a town bordering to Malacca. 

After received a little briefing by Eny, a wing ‘man’ of Simple Advantage’s PPSMI team, all the trainers come to pick up their facilitator and plenty of other training material for 60 teachers who will be train in the next 6 days.

So much chaos as usual like a little confuse about WiFi router, no name tag which supposedly provided by JrJ and many other things, make the the rooms full of laughter. 

Teacher’s Aidilfitri hamper made by Simple Advantage’s team

Nana and her faci, helping me packing up the hamper

All the training materials, carefully organise by SA team – thank you Eny for taking care that for me

My car boot pack with all the stuff for teachers – there is no more excuses should come from any Malaysian who still not satisfied with PPSMI 

Thank you all! – From left, Nana’s faci, Eny, John (Amelia partner), Nana & Nida

By 4pm, everybody left SA office and drives to Negeri Sembilan.

After picking up Zubir, my facilitator in Bangi – off I go to Tampin.

This would be my first time visiting Tampin – so nothing exciting expected at this kaboi town.

Within an hour and half, we arrived at the SK Tunku Besar and planning to check in at the booked hotel, Hotel Tampin.

To my surprised the hotel is not really a hotel, it just a rumah tumpangan! – I said to myself; this is not me – I wouldn’t stay here – no way.

I’m sure at night some kupu-kupu malam would come and visited me – don’t want same incident happen like last time in Batu Pahat, when aunty at the reception desk ask me – ‘You nak Kemboja ke Thai? – while her hand signing me something nasty. Eeeeyoooow…..

Since I’ve been craving for holiday from January – what a better way to stay at something nice like the one nearby, the A-Famosa Resort Hotel.

Although it’s a little bit fancy for the budget given by Nida; but no harm for me to do this on my own expenses. 

A-Famosa Resort Hotel

Hotel floor

Courtyard

Hotel Courtyard

The gold course and large greenery in front of the hotel

The corridor leading up to our room

Our balcony off! Large coconut tree and when wind blowing up – it’s very the very one!

Rooms, which we will be staying in the next 5 days.

Did I make anyone jealous?

Zubir is smiling and looking for activities he might do at the next door Cowboy Town, a theme park. The fireworks just started last few minutes, and the room comes with complimentary Sahur at 4am sent to our rooms – there is no more worries, Shivonne – thanks for your concern!

Till tomorrow,  Yehaaa! Andree… Andree…

to be continued…