There is this particular course on teaching which I wish to do in order for me to secure a better position as a trained educator.

I had been teaching part-time for the past 3 years. Not on and off teaching but regular teaching week after week in a classroom environment. Recognition in some kind of paper form will add-on to my credentials since I am not trained as a teacher.

This is also a backup plan for me because I might want to teach long term. However, I do not want to make the classes commercialised. It is going to be private. Students are by referral only.

Anyway, I cannot make it to this year’s course because there are only 4 weeks in November and December. This is the only time when I do not teach on weekends. The course is held in 4 consecutive Saturdays in the month which has 5 Saturdays.

I have checked next year’s calendar. I can make it in December 2011. Lets hope the course is still on. Wish me luck.

This weekend, there is a wonderful balloon fiesta in Putrajaya. Guess what? You need to be a kid to take part in the drawing contest. When a kid wins, he/she gets a ride on a hot air balloon with the parents! This is more fun than art class!

I know you paid RM12 for a class with me but that is so cheap OK? Just forget about the lesson for a week. You won’t see the balloons next week you know? My classes will still be here for rest of the year.

If you don’t like to take the kids outdoor, there are 2 art exhibitions that kids will be able to appreciate. Guess what? Mommy gets to do shopping because one exhibition is in Isetan KLCC, another is in Isetan, Gardens.

From 20-25 Mar :
 Mushippo – Contemporary Japanese Paintings by Tatehiko Naruse

Dialogue – Paintings by Yap Hong Ngee & Jane Yap (Father & Daughter Exhibition)

 
You are learning about art too when you look at paintings at exhibitions.

Forget about art class or other classes when there is something better out there that are few and far between.

I am going to visit the father & daughter exhibition on Monday after my interview. Yup, I got an interview for a new job. On Tuesday, I will visit the The Japanese exhibition.

The reason I talk about this is because the sooner parents identify their child’s problem, the earlier they can start to change the method of educating their child. This will give the child more confidence as they grow up and enter school.

Last weekend a parent told me his daughter had been tested for colour blindness. She is already 7 years old. That makes me wonder what had the parents been doing for the past 2-3 years? I feel a bit sad for the girl. She does not know how to get help due to her young age. She probably lacks confidence to ask her teacher or friends for help also.

As an art teacher, I do not purposely correct colours used by children between the age of 4-6 unless it is really necessary. The purpose is for them to be able to express themselves. Most children will have no problem using their favourite colours. They are allowed to use their favourite colours as long as they acquire better drawing skills.

However, older children will be taught using the correct colours for natural objects. This girl will always use a lot of light green and light blue. No red, purple or orange most of the time. Yes, I noticed that. Sometimes I had to make her change the colours of flowers to something else. Children do need time to change if they’re accustomed to using their favourite colours.

If I had known her condition earlier, my teaching method will be totally different from the start. She could have been taught to read colours at the age of 5. She would be taught the common colours for things around us. But then again, how can the parents not noticed this earlier? Do they teach or guide the child at all?

Nowadays I noticed many kids are being brought up by maids. Yes, a maid can feed, wash and make sure the child is being taken care of. Can a maid teach or instill proper habit for children? NO.

People in Singapore often talk about how pet dogs are actually the maids’ dogs because the maids are the ones that bring the dogs out on their daily walks, feed and wash the dogs. All the owners do is come home and play with their pets for a while everyday.

Our children will end up like that. This is very sad.

Photo source : Dreamstime

Those who are eligible will go through a year’s full-time course and will be given an allowance during the training period.

Basic criterias are :

1. You have to be a Malaysian citizen.
2. Below 35 years old on 1st June 2009 (born after 1 June 1974).
3. Credit for Bahasa in SPM.

This is indeed a very good opportunity. Think about pension and school holidays.

Some points to note :
1. Teachers don’t get to choose where they will be sent for training.
2. After you’ve graduated, there is no guarantee you will get a position in your home state.
3. You don’t know if you will be given the choice to have a pension scheme or you can only have EPF.

(From my personal experience because I was born into a family of teachers!)

Anyway, this is a career I will consider if I am 25 years old, single and my parents are healthy. I want to get out of the office, so getting into another office is not what I have in mind. I have figured this out after I attended an interview with a private college. For my own happiness, I have to stick to what I want and work on it.

For those who are interested to find out more about this teacher’s training course, click here.