Surviving Normal stream

[loner]

autumnbronze,schweppes,



Thanks for all your write up. :

I wish more parents and educators will be able to share similiar stories to encourage one another.

**Not all child are \"bright\" but they will forever be God's \"shining star\"**

[Yong HL]

This thread has been inspiring.

Reminds me of saying "sweetness comes after bitterness".
It would very much depends on the child how to overcome bitterness and not to nuture it… and its usually with the support of parents…

[mrswongtuition]

Autumnbronze,


I agree with you. I also have soft spot for NA and NT kids.
They may not have the 'hardware' but they definitely have the 'heartware'. Though they are harder to teach in terms of disciplining them and getting their sustained attention in class, I still love them to bits!
I'm not saying I don't love the Exp kids, I love them alot too!

You are so right when you say that they bring alot of excess baggage with them. Many of them can't be bothered to study because there's more important things in their life bugging them - whether their parents will still be together, whether they'll even have a place to stay, whether they'll get beaten by one or both parents when they reach home, etc.

I'm teaching because I love the kids, not because I want an easy life teaching. If I wanted an easy life, I would have taken up RGS's offer and gone back there since it's really alot easier to teach (esp when I've taught there for a while and have all my resources ready and the girls are attentive and there's hardly any discipline cases in the school).

So far I've not had problems meeting targets (esp when my boss is the type who reads through every single file and not asks for random samples) in terms of having a certain number of assignments for them, etc. It's just a matter of ensuring your assignments are pegged to their capabilities with some questions to stretch them. It takes alot to motivate them to finish their work (yes, I ever used ICE CREAM as a 'bribe' for them to do well in their test) or do well, but at the end of the day, they appreciate your efforts & I feel good cos I know I've done my best for the kids.


Schweppes,

Kudos to you for starting this thread.
Many parents are also 'shy' or 'embarrassed' to discuss about their children who are in NA or NT. This thread will serve as a stepping stone for them to come forward

[MasterMind]

I strongly agree…

All of them are bright, all of our children to be exact
Its just the problem of how do we open that ‘potential’ out of them.
We should readily give out help to NA n NT too.
I am proud of Sembwang Pri though, it helps all the P6 corhort and well, the whole sch improved and leaped over National Average, especially for the Foundation pupils…
Well done!
The top was 271 too.
Sometimes we really ought to look out for neighbourhood schs

[ooptimizer]

Yes, the neighbourhood schools produced the top student this year.

[schweppes]

:thankyou: Chief for selecting my article for publication. :lol:


Just wanted to share my thoughts and experiences about students who are or were in Normal stream. And that being in ITE is really NOT \"It's The End\", but really, It's Time to Excel.

[mathsparks]

Shall ask dh to encourage his students and nephew, It's Time to Excel indeed.


:salute: schweppes!

[schweppes]

:thankyou: to those who replied with your kind words. Glad you found the post touching and inspiring.

[schweppes]

mrswongtuition:

I also have soft spot for NA and NT kids. They may not have the 'hardware' but they definitely have the 'heartware'. Though they are harder to teach in terms of disciplining them and getting their sustained attention in class, I still love them to bits!
I'm not saying I don't love the Exp kids, I love them alot too!

You are so right when you say that they bring alot of excess baggage with them. Many of them can't be bothered to study because there's more important things in their life bugging them - whether their parents will still be together, whether they'll even have a place to stay, whether they'll get beaten by one or both parents when they reach home, etc.

Agree with you, Mrswongtuition. A lot of NA and NT kids come from less fortunate backgrounds. I guess we need to give them a chance. Many of them may be rough and tough on the outside, but once you get to know them, they can be real gems.

Your students are very lucky to have you as their teacher. You will definitely make a difference in their lives! :lol: :salute:

[schweppes]

autumnbronze:

... On the last day of my teaching stint, he came over and said,\"cher, why always the good teachers leave first and fast?\" After that, he gave me a card saying, \"cher, don't forget me ok, because I will never forget you. You really give us respect.\"

Sorry, but typing this is really bringing tears in my eyes, because these are the pupils that really provided me with some of the most indelible memories in my teaching career... and I hope they have done well in life.

Hey Autumnbronze, :thankyou: for your candid sharing.

And what's sad is that, since you have left teaching, your students have lost a wonderful teacher!

autumnbronze:

So really, as teachers, we have an additional task too - besides taking care of the academic part, we need to, to a certain extent, ensure their emotional well-being. I jolly well know its tough. I have been there and done that. What with rubbish targets to achieve ...

... But my personal belief is that if you are entering the teaching profession, you have to enter with an open mind and heart and be prepared to deal with the 'extras' that are 'thrown in'.

As educators, whether we teach pre-school, primary, secondary, ITE/poly/JC and even at the uni level, the bottom line is to \"make a difference\". Cliched, I know, but very true. :lol: