It's a long, long journey...

Today, the 17th of May 2007, marks the end of my status as a Beginning Teacher. From now on, I would have to begin the real journey on my own, learning to stand on my own two feet. For those of you who may not know it, the system is such that when new teachers enter the system, they would be matched with another teacher who would be their "mentors". For one year, the mentee would "learn" from the mentor, and the job of the mentor is to help the mentee cope with the culture in the school, and also with things in the system. Today, it has finally come to an end. Thinking back of the first time that I set foot in the school to now, I have really grown leaps and bounds.

The first day when I saw my mentor CYnthia, I really felt that she was quite a strict lady, and I was worried that I would not be able to make myself "like" her.. haha.. That was the first impression. Well, whoever said that first impressions are usually accurate can go and knock theis heads against the wall. In the one year that she has been my mentor, my feelings towards her grew from like, to adore. She really has a very good way of doing things, and she will never hesitate to share whatever she knows with me. She helps me in a lot of ways, and has definitely made this one years' worth of learning journey really filled with laughter and joy. She has also consoled me whenever I feel down, or bullied by parents, or lost when I don't know how to handle them.

All thanks to her, I managed to "scrape through" the first year unscathed... =)

I really appreciate her mentoring and help.. Here are some photos taken during the "Graduation ceremony"that has been held for us, and planned by the very thoughtful people mentoring us. As I was talking to peers fron NIE, I really feel that I am quite blessed... to be in Clementi Primary School. Trust me, the school environment really plays a HUGE part in moulding how we feel towards the school.

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Have you ever met a Principal whom EVERY staff in the school loves? Whom no one ever speaks badly about, even BEHIND HER BACK? Have you ever heard of a Principal who would stand up for her staff, and always protect her staff from parents who may want to make life difficult for us? Have you ever met a Principal who would personally pen poems for her staff, and put her heart and soul into everything that she does?

Well, fortunate as I may be, that would be MY PRINCIPAL, Mrs Sng. She is simply incredible. In my short one year stay here, she has really helped nurture me in many many areas... =)

Listening to our Principal talk... really engaged..
Here's a "teacher's pledge" by Mrs Sng, our principal. She really loves writing poetry, and I must say that she is really quite talented. Every month, in the newsletter to pupils and parents, she would personally pen a poem for them. Some of them are really well written.
Here's a glimpse of Cynthia, my mentor. She got me this gift, a "chicken soup" kind of book (you know, those inspirational ones), and made me really feel like crying. I am really close with her, as compared to the other BTs with their mentors.. She has really guided me along the way, and even though she has only been teaching for 3 years, not exactly "experienced", as you would call it in the education service, I feel that she has imparted more than mentoring to me. She has been a mentor to me in more ways than one. She has also shared lots of practical life skills and things... and of course gossip.. haha.

A certificate printed out by our Mentor "mother", Mrs Tan CP (who, by the way, is my pupil's mother. If you remember Samantha, the second prize winner for English in my class?)

She was also the one who planned all these. Really very thoughtful of her...

Here's all the Beginning Teachers with Mrs Sng. A really very sweet lady. We will all miss her when she is gone at the end of the year. We even had a birthday cake! Can you believe it! It says "Happy Birthday" on it too. All these were sponsored by Mrs Tan. Really appreciate it... =)
Us (The BTs) and all our mentors.. These people are really great, and they make the first year much bearable...compared to my other NIE peers, I am really blessed..
CYnthia (my mentor) even ordered pizzas for all of us.. really sweet of her.