an open letter to my 09 classes

hi all,

have taught you now for about a month or so.... at work, we do a work review with our heads who tells us about our progress....i am going to do likewise for you

when i first came into class - i set out my expectations, rules etc
you should have been able to gauge the kind of person i am
based on my comments and expectations....
unfortunately, not all got the message
so i am going to TELL you

i am an inverterate optimist; i always think that something good will eventually
come out of even the worst person/situation....
you could say its my nature, my spirituality....i love to say -every cloud has a silver lining – that could give you an idea of how i think and work
i love laughter, i am happy to smile and see people smile
BUT i am no pushover, darlings!!!
what does that mean? - it means you do not take my kindness for weakness
You do not take advantage of me
That does not say much about you…


enough about myself - now about you

1 are you aware that you are young adults?
that i have chosen to treat you as such...
your pride, dignity, self esteem - these are important to me
for i believe that every person we meet is fighting his own battle -
i always tell myself to contribute in a positive way to someone’s life -
not make them miserable or hurt or infuriate them
perhaps one day, you will tell yourself the same thing

2 imagine yourself as a beautiful painting, and believe me…
no matter how unhappy you are about your looks…fat thighs..acne…
you are perfect and beautiful to at least one person in this world…often, it’s your mum…
but I digress
each time you do something wrong – deliberately…because you cant be bothered…
you are defiling that painting…what would that painting look like in 5 years, 10 years…
somehow…your negative thoughts, negative attitudes, misdeeds…they will show up
in one way or another to haunt us…this is not a threat….
Just a thought – think about the butterfly effect
Surely we don have to totally believe – but do give some thought to the wisdom of the ages


3 are you aware that you are better off than millions of people - in terms of
1 the family that you have 2 the affluence you enjoy(relatively)
3 the education 4 good health 5 friends 6 even the climate....
really, my crackpots (pl read inspiration section)
you are more blessed than you realise
when you are given much - much is demanded of you
that is why i find it a little difficult to undertand...
i have seen little children from very poor families...
the hope in their faces - the longing for food education love...in their yes
then i hear you complain...i see you being lackadaisical, apathetic, defiant...
and i wonder...are you aware of how blessed you are?
why is it - i dont see the same determination to do well and give back to society?


4 are you aware that last week - when i gave you one week to complete 3 assignments, it was a test?
for that matter, my darlings, everything you do reflects your attitude, and sometimes even your upbringing…everything we do and say reveals to others who we are…

I was a little disappointed by some of you – no doubt..
I saw you surfing various websites, e mailing and msning….doing anything but work
I left you alone – cos I trust you will complete the work anyway
But like I said – I will not give up on you…I hope and expect that you will change for the better…
And instead of dwelling on what you did not do – I would like to focus on those who warmed my heart

1 dionne – who was the first to comment on my blog – 3 comments at that!!!
2 sherman and Jackson? – who showed me their power point and made amendments immediately
3 david and Adeline who sent me articles for my blog
4 weixiang who clarified his doubts with me…

I have learnt over the years – that the students who have done well academically are those with a winning attitude - Those who are nice, not for a reason, but because it is the right thing to do…those who try very hard even when they are weak in the language...

And 415 – the five girls who came to see me – you are winners!!! I saw the concern in your eyes – the way you tried to protect your friends – the world needs more people like you…
Abigail – you are the daughter mothers would love to have…

So my message to you is:

1 i will love all my students for they are with me for a reason...
like it was said in kung fu panda - nothing happens by accident
i just have to work harder with some

2 Be diligent, humble - and grateful for all you have

3 and make sure you finish all my homework by Friday!!