End of the Tunnel ( Pt 22 ) – A teacher I want to be
In early 1998, more than FIFTEEN years ago a petite young girl together with several other children joined my Form One tuition class at Almanar. At that point of time I had just known the PMR results of my first batch of children who joined Almanar three years earlier ( and I was a younger Pakcik as well! ) The results were beyond expectation, and it was that first taste of success which made this Pakcik ( is he any older now? ) more aggressive, pushing the new group with greater gusto. This little girl, whose father was a teacher, was one of the victims.
I call this girl Yani (short for Hazliyani ) whose father is a retired teacher. Through experience I am fairly convinced that the likelihood of finding successful children in the field of academic is in a teacher’s family. ( Neither of my parents was a teacher – that’s telling, doesn’t it? ) I am sure Yani must have told her parents of this aggressive pseudo-teacher at Alamanar. However, I very much suspect, being an experienced teacher her father knew better not to take her side that easily.
After her years at Almanar, Yani disappeared from my horizon for quite a while, possibly licking her wound. It was a pleasant surprise indeed when a couple of weeks ago, I was handed a card, an invitation to my little Yani’s wedding.
I could not wait to be at the wedding party early enough to take a couple of photographs. When Yani’s father caught sight of me his face brightened with recognition. After exchanging a few words he rushed upstairs and no sooner had Yani’s face appeared I hurried upstairs as well to meet her.
Excitedly she exclaimed, “ Pakcik !!! Pakcik mari ! Mana Makcik?” ( Why Pakcik, you are here !!! Where’s Makcik? ) That and her broad smile made my day. I had to explain to her why Makcik was not around (the subject of my earlier posting.)
Yani & Salam
Since I was early at the party, Yani’s father could spare me a few minutes. Yani, now a teacher, was marrying a teacher as well and both are teaching in a village school just about 60 Km away. Her hero, named Salam (short for Darusalam) is, in fact, a resident of that village.
“ Yani itu degil. Mati, mati hendak jadi guru juga ( Yani is stabborn. She would not want to be anything but a teacher,” claimed Yani’s father with a smile.
Indeed, Yani is now a teacher, whose father was a teacher and she has decided to have a teacher for a life-mate. Who knows, insya Allah, this new couple will be blessed with children not without teachers aming them – to be of service to mankind.
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.
17 comments:
Dear Pakcik,
A noble profession, a teacher is long remembered. A great teacher is adored for all the guidance and knowledge. A 'fierce' (garang or cenge as per the Kedah lingo)is more remembered and appreciated! Because of being garang that the students are more successful. Isn't it nice to be remembered! Wishing them well, both Salam and Yani!
Hank
Assalam Pakcik,
I was touched by this reunion of a well-experienced walks of life teacher and this novice teacher. Well Pakcik, u actually now resembles all of these kind of teacher - The mediocre teacher who tells, the good teacher who explains, the superior teacher who demonstrates and the great teacher who had given so much inspiration to your students... leading to their success. Once a teacher, sure would always be called a teacher.
Well done Pakcik. Your heart of gold and kindness go a long way...
May Allah The Most Gracious blessed you and Makcik!
Salam Pakcik,
I have many relatives who are teachers - cousins, nephews and nieces, an older brother and sister were once temporary teachers too. Most folks say its better to be a teacher, the job will always be waiting for you once you graduated from a teacher's college just like doctors too, no need to go searching and waiting for a job which is hard to come by nowadays...and Pakcik thank you for always leaving a comment in my blog.
Take care and May Allah always bless you and your family :)
Hank,
'Cenge' sounds familiar. Here there is 'cengeh', indeed something like garang.
Somehow 'cenge' may not be altogether suitable for a father towards his children. It probably woukld have plus a lot of love which we cannot be generous to pupils.
Do a haiku on 'cenge', Hank! I wonder ho your clever mind will twist that around.
Nur Emyinda,
AnD Salaam to you, too.
There are merits in being a teacher. But Patience is a necessity. Openness is another. It is hard for children to approach one older person who is all a mystery.
Try to be one if you have never tried.
Naniasda,
To be honest I do not have many teachers in my family except for one sister. But I am blessed with many academic related individuals visiting my website. I have made it a point to reach out for them because I learn something from them without them knowing it! But I am fussy in the way they articulate. I do not like being too casual.
Come again, won't you?
Assalam Pakcik,
Patience. Openness.
TQVM Pakcik for the gentle reminder.
Pakcik, so much of what goes on in our lives - our struggles, our fears, our joys, our work - we are not alone in these things. Our circumstances may be different but our lives intertwine. Hence, patience is often required when figuring out where we are going. Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes in the middle of nowhere we find ourselves. Thus openness is just like "not knowing when the dawn will come, we open every door"...
Syukran again Pakcik for the note on these P&O. You are indeed now my teacher.
Assalamu'alaikum pakcik.. only now am I able to visit and read your blog. You write very well pakcik! haha.
Thanks for sending an email to me. Have replied again just now. take care!
Nur Wmyinda
You are welcome. I am good at giving reminders, for the future, because at this age I forget the past, all blank!
Jard,
Waalaikium Salaam to you too.
I am glad you have found Almanar, not the mosque with MENARA; the 'beacon' with a number of 'lost soul' learning 'My name is Abu' and what two plus two equals.
I will respond to your eamail as I need the picture you took of the Almanar Mosque.
Assalamualaikum,
....biarlah salah di mata mereka. Guru juga makhluk Allah yang 'baharu' - tidak lepas dengan kekurangan.
(ingatan pada diri sendiri, hakikatnya dirasai sendiri!)
Cikgu Humairi
WalaikumSalaam
Sebagai pakar yang lama berpengalaman tentu cikgu lebih maalum tingkah laku kanak2. Saya memang orang 'lama' tapi mentah dalam hal ini. Kata orang kalau hendak jadi guru kenalah terus belajar. Agaknya betul.
Salam Al-Manar,
Sebagai seorang guru mesti gembira melihat kejayaan anak didik mereka apa lagi bila mengetahui mereka hidup bahagia.
Selamat hari guru kepada Al-Manar walaupun waktu yang tepat dah berlalu.
Mak Long,
WalaikumSalaam to you as well.
Saya rasa seorang guru yang mendapat kepuasan dari kerjayanya adalah yang berbesar hati melihat kejayaan anak didik. Kepuasan itu boleh mengatasi titik peluh.
Hello. And Bye.
Dear Pakchik,
I have great admiration for people such as you who can teach well. GOD knows the amount of patience that is required, not to mention ingenuity and a healthy dose of a good sense of humor.
Your very impatient granddaughter has mentioned several times that she wants to be a teacher... but I guess at 11, she's bound to make a few career choice changes still!
Love.
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