What a uninteresting topic to discuss! I'm penning it down to remind myself as an educator, I've the responsibility to be a role model to students. Beside learning, the values and moral are equally important to share with students. One of Phoebe's classmate changed class in the beginning of new semester. Phoebe can't explain why the sudden changed. Out of curiosity, I check it out and was surprised to learn Andria's mum had some disagreement with the teacher in the teaching styles and values and since can't resolve, changing class was the best solution! I arranged over a lunch appointment to find out more and we met up last Tuesday.
Some background to this meeting. Both Phoebe & Andria were in class 1C and coincident in the same team. Back then Phoebe was 'popular' among classmates. Andria was one of them who simply adores Phoebe and only want to be her friend. Learning Andria's weakness, Phoebe exercise empowerment in her own accord and treated friendship for conditions! This was put to a stop and Phoebe changed team. I learn of this saga during teacher-parent session. With Phoebe out of the team, Andria was the target of bully by the rest of teammates. According to the mum, the teammates will throw her stationery out of the class. Andria was a timid and ignorance girl as what the mum describe. She will listen to her peers to win their hearts and this was the disadvantage factor. Once a classmate took over her wallet and insisted to help Andria to buy her thing. This classmate was cunning, on top of Andria's things, she threw in 2 packs of stickers for herself by using Andria's money. Her mum got to know came down to school and hope to discuss this issue with the form teacher. To her dismay, she was told Andria had to learn to survive in school environment! Few more issues arise all related to Andria's. Her mum told me that the last resort was when the form teacher embarrassed her during a learning carnival. It was only after appealing to the school principle that her request was finally granted.
My own account with the form teacher wasn't that disastrous. But from her email reply, she sounded very blunt and determine that her teaching methods best suit her students. She put in teamwork as part of the learning process in her teaching and reward students with point system. This process of learning is fine but the rational of teamwork didn't seem to get into their mind. Students end up pin pointing @ the one who didn't bring credits for the team. As such student learning spirit will be reduce. Phoebe was a victim of this scheme.
School is no longer a place where you make good friends, enjoy learning, gaining knowledge and learn values but a place you have to fight for attention, being recognise, intelligent and smart. The winner will survive!
I pray God will continue to provide me with great wisdom and sensibility to impart the correct values to Phoebe.
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