Touching the moon...and beyond
It was a most unforgetable scene, for me and the students whose dreams had suddenly become reality. I'm referring to Friday of course, the day of reckoning for those who had sat for their O's last year.First of all, it was the impossible target that was given to this class - albeit the best express class in the school. It wasn't the strongest cohort we have ever had, yet my HOD had dared to give them this Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) : no C's, everyone must get B's and above. We had termed it the Moon target. Needless to say, the goal became my performance target and I spent a large part of last year, and the week before the release of the O level results, swallowing very hard and trying to will the class to perform.
Now I can't erase from my mind the sight of those kids screaming in euphoria in the hall, clutching their result slips, leaping and prancing around. There were lots of hugging, and hi-fiving, and numerous phone calls to relay the good news to their family.
"We have reached the moon!" some yelled into my ears.
I couldn't help beaming, and thanking God that He had reserved this special moment for me to savour. The class had not only achieved the BHAG, they had soared beyond the moon and had hit the stars. Two-thirds of them had bagged distinctions for English! Two pinch-me-now thirds! How did this happen?
This is truly an amazing class. They scored insane results for some of the other subjects too. And their teachers were reeling in shock and unbelief on Friday. Me as well.
Never in my whole 10 over years of working have I felt such jubilation and sense of satisfaction. It is one thing to have done well in your work and get a pat from your boss, a salary increment or even a promotion. But to be a participant in someone else's success and to realise that maybe, you could be the one who have played a little part in fulfilling their dreams, that is priceless. That's the stuff of wonderful memories that you revisit every now and then. And it bolsters my belief that kids from neighbourhood schools can reach the moon, and beyond. And I'm in the right place, at the right time of my life, to do my part. It is a decidedly humbling, and awesome thought, but oh, the unspeakable joy when the constellation appears before your eyes!
posted by trisha @ 9:09 AM
16 Comments:
hey..
congrats! :)
tis always good to know that hard work is paid off.
kudos to all that made it possible :)
After reading several posts of your frustrations at work, it's comforting to know that at least your hard work has finally paid off. Take time off to rejoice before you grind for another exam again.
Wow. That must have felt exhilarating! I can't wait till it's my turn. Hope my kids turn out as great *beams*
congrats!!! you earned a well-deserved pat-on-the-back. with so many people appreciating your efforts and seeing the fruits of your labour, it must have left a ear-to-ear, face-splitting grin. :)
well done!
P.S: maybe you can request for a pay rise after proving that u obtained the 'moon' results. :D
Great news!
Is your principal going to give the school a day of or something? :-)
Some guys have all the luck.
But certainly NOT u!
Congrats & i know i would have been inspired by u if i were ur stud.s.
Now you know why academic grades are used to rank teachers, it is so much easier to measure and quantify grades than goals like "improved moral character".
So can you expect at least a B for your EPMS this year? =)
'"We have reached the moon!" some yelled into my ears.
I couldn't help beaming, and thanking God that He had reserved this special moment for me to savour.'
n this is the kind of post that puts most other happy descriptions of job satisfaction to shame too. :)
Jenny: Never stop hoping and praying for your kids. And I guess loads of encouragement to the kids work like magic too. All the best to you and your kids!
the paper must have been easy
Ensui:
Somehow asking for pay rise is not a common practice among teachers. So I'm not about to stick my neck out for this.
ex-teacher:
No half day for us! Sigh...
Germs:
Was that a typo or were you being naughty again? You want to be my STUD??!! Hmm....now don't give me ideas...
Kelvin:
Well, the ranking was all done last year I think. So whatever I am going to get this Apr is already discussed and set in stone last year.
emzetz:
Surely that's not the point? And so what if the paper was an easy paper? Would you want to spoil people's joy by saying, "A2 only what. Must have been an easy paper!" I believe in giving my students their due pat on the back for a job well done.
a.ball.of.yarn:
Well, I try not to gush too much about this. For all you know, it could be just beginner's luck.
Nevertheless, my heart is full of gratitude. :)
Ignore emzetz, trisha. Don't feed the trolls.
Btw, I don't see why one can't ask for a raise --- not necessarily solely for having produced these good results, but if you are given additional responsibilities/expectations as a result of this, then certainly, you should be compensated for the greater time/effort/burden you take up!
I just luuuvv it when i can contaminate the minds of others; especially planting little ideas into the heads of educators.
Go get yrself some antibiotics ...coz i dropping by in the 1st week of march.And i'm bringing my stud.
:) ;) ;)
Congrats Trisha, that's awesome!
In Singapore, they say in Singlish,
SSBC. Guess what that stands for? Satt satt bo chio :]
(Translated into English: Display of prowess in a dazzling manner, no laughing matter) :) Congratulations!
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