From A Kindergarten Teacher to A Lecturer! By: Atikah Norshahidi Wish of Every Educator Indeed, every educator wants their students to be a successful human being. " Successful here means success in the field they are interested in because they will use the expertise and talents that they have in themselves to help others". These are the words said by Rabaiyah Binti Norshahidi, a lecturer at University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP). Childhood Ambition Formerly Rabaiyah or better known as Miss Yaya among her students kept the desire to be an educator in the future without placing specialization to become what teacher. She built her educational journey along with the ambition she dreamed of. While taking her diploma, she chooses diploma in Teaching English As A Second Language (TESL) at Universiti Teknologi Mara (Uitm) Shah Alam. Then, she continued her degree studies at the University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) majoring in early childhood education. Why An Educator? She likes to gain knowledge so that she can continue her studies to the doctoral level. The knowledge she gained, she loved to share or teach something she knew to her students. Besides, she was able to increase her knowledge by contacting with the experts in the field of early childhood education and improve the quality of education. The Journey of A Kindergarten Teacher After graduating, she worked at a Startots kindergarten in Bukit Jalil. Being a kindergarten teacher is very fun experience. She can teach various things to the children because she uses simple terms and language with the children. “The world of these children is vast, so I can be with them to explore new knowledge as well as get new ideas from teaching and learning sessions with them. As the saying goes, “Strike the iron while it’s hot,” said Miss Yaya. Educating these little children also taught her patience as well as opening her mind about the nature and behaviour of children. But there are some challenges because, these children are still young, so they do not know what is right and is wrong. It is her job as a teacher to guide them. Furthermore, some children are lack of attention because their parents are less concerned about their children. Other Offers? Although working as a kindergarten teacher is an enjoyment job but she also applies other job that suitable with her qualification. She still chooses an educator as her main job. For her, the workplace's factor that is too far away from the family and the salary payment of a kindergarten teacher is just a basic that cannot afford to meet the needs of others. So, she decided to resign. The Journey of a Lecturer She got an offer to be a lecturer at UCYP, majoring in early childhood education. She also teaches diploma and degree students. Being a lecturer is not an easy job because students are from SPM graduates. Their way of thinking and mind set is still like a school-students, so it is the lecturer's job to change their way of thinking from teenager hood into adulthood. Also, as we know, when students are in university, finding information materials and reference books are not the job of the lecturer but the task of the students. The most challenging is when students use rude language. So, she will try to understand and correct their language because to be a teacher, using polite language is very much demanded. But despite the grievances she expressed, she was very grateful to be a lecturer because she was able to share knowledge with her students and even other lecturers. She also able to associate with senior lecturers from various fields. Furthermore, she is always improving herself in education field. “My message” In conclusion, she likes to be a kindergarten teacher and lecturer. For her, both have their privileges and advantages. By the way, if there is time, she will go to kindergarten at her university to let go of longing to be with children. “My message, being an educator is noble and pure work. Please teach from the heart not just through words or deeds. Continue to forgive them because when a teacher keeps something in their heart about their students, it can prevent the students to accept and understand the knowledge. And finally, love all the students equally and avoid unfairness and favouritism between students,” said Miss Yaya.
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