Once a Teacher, ...

Always a teacher.
Two of my colleagues and I went to a primary school for data collection. As I was entering the classroom identified for participation in our research, a teacher who was passing by told me that I have to be very firm with that particular class. I replied that I was an ex-teacher and she went away smiling and saying that I would have no problem. When I was in the midst of handing out the materials to the students, in walked the form teacher. He took one look at me and said, "You ah. You can handle the class. I will go back to the staffroom now."
It turned out the form teacher is someone I knew from my MOE HQ days lol. He knew I was a former teacher and he had more than enough confidence that I would be able to handle his class. He was right lol. I had his class totally under control. I have not lost my touch as a teacher lol. :)

Spare the Rod (Not)

I personally believe that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. No, I am not a child abuser. I do know the difference between disciplinary caning and child abuse. I don't cane my girls for no reason. I don't enjoy caning them. It actually hurts me more than them.

I use caning as one of the disciplinary consequences. And yes, the girls do know what are the consequences if they failed to do what they were told or if they have done what they were told specifically not to do. The girls would be warned twice first with wait time in between for them to get their acts together. With the third warning, I would just count to three before reaching for the cane. Often, they would get their acts together before I could reach the count of "3". But of course, sometimes, they would test me to see if I was just giving an empty threat. So no choice, I would have to carry out the caning of usually not more than 3 strokes. Usually after the caning, I would explain to the girls why I had to cane them. By the way, the canes I used are the small thin ones that you can still buy from the market. The cane marks are usually gone within 30 minutes.

I usually have at least 2 canes at home. But Juliane snapped them about a month ago. She was pretty happy that she did that as I couldn't cane them anymore. However, I managed to buy four canes (two as spares, lol) yesterday. When I stepped through the door with the canes in my hands, Juliane gave a high pitch scream which lasted for some time. LOL. It was really funny to see her expression. She must be thinking, "Ahhh, I am not rid of the canes". Hahaha. Please, before you start having the wrong ideas, Juliane's scream was actually more in jest than in fear. For we all burst out laughing, including Juliane, after her scream.

PS. For those who are unsure about caning, please have a look at this article: Spare the Rod? (Please click on the link http://faculty.biola.edu/paulp/spare_the_rod.htm). It has made some good points about the difference between disciplinary caning/ spanking and "the abusive, harmful forms of corporal punishment".

Discipline Panel

I met my friend, Nic, at our organisation's D & D in early February 2007. He recognised me at once when I was called onto stage for one of the performances. He claimed I haven't changed a bit since we last parted 10 years ago. Flatterer. Hahaha. We actually have been working at the same place for some time now but our paths never crossed. Who would have thought we would meet again after so long and at the D & D! Hahaha. Anyway, we met up for lunch. When he realised I am also a school counsellor, he invited me to be part of a panel to discuss about discipline in schools. I agreed at once. Why not? For friends, I am most willing to be of help.

Today was the panel discussion on School Programmes for Discipline. I was one of four panel discussants. There was a HOD (Discipline), a Vice Principal, a Guidance Officer from MOE HQ and myself, a School Counsellor. Guess what, the guidance officer happened to be my friend too. We used to work together when I was at MOE HQ as an Educational Psychologist. It was a friends' gathering again. Hahaha.

The audience turn-out was huge, about 300 people and there weren't enough seats. Thus, people had to sit on the steps as well in the lecture theatre. Each of us, the discussants, took turns to speak about our role in the school and how we help to support the discipline in the school. After which, we answered quite a few questions from the audience.

Overall, it was a great session. I felt really good that I could use my expertise to help these beginning teachers. If Nic ever needs my help again in a similar capacity, no problem! Oh yes, the session was also video-taped to be used as future reference material. Yeah, I am famous!? Hahaha. Yes, yes, I know, cheap thrill. =)

PS. Slept only at 5am this morning. Was up almost the whole night, working on my writing and chatting with a good friend. I think I ended up chatting more than writing! Hahaha. I told myself I would not take a nap no matter how tired or sleepy I am. Alas, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I fell asleep while reading L. Hamilton. Thought it would have kept me awake! Looks like another long night ahead. LOL.