Why KOPI-C? (Part III)

Coffee has character - Every educator needs to reform

When we mooted the idea of KOPI, the students were always the subject of our concerns. Which is why we believed that the teachers holds the key to the transformation of the youths. What is true education? The ancient educators defined education as about drawing out what was already within the student. (the word education comes from the Latin e-ducere meaning "to lead out."). So what is really within the student? Righteous Character. Every students, whether Special stream or normal tech stream matters. And our real job, I believed, goes beyond helping them to score value added result. Whether we succeed or not as teachers at the end of the day, is what kind of students we have produced? Someone with integrity or someone who is very scores many As but cheats on bus fare? Someone who have compassion or someone who is successful in his careers but fails to be a good father?

Before you meet your students, they are empty, without a dream. But as you teach them, you start to impact them and help them dream a little dream for themselves, and they will start to form beautiful drawings for their lives, and at the end of your teaching career, your lives would have impacted so many students who are successful but filled with character and colour.

We hope, at KOPI-C, that we will be teachers that can transform the next generation.

Posted by Daryl Koh (KOPI-C Coordinator)

Why KOPI-C? (Part II)

Coffee drinking session needs a community - Every educator needs reaffirming

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him. "Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient.

"You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I'm never sure I can remember where I put the car, or whether I answered a letter, or where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered in his kindest tones, "Pay me in advance."

As teachers we need reaffirming, in a positive way not the negative way like the doctor. And it takes people who know our jobs to reaffirm us. Not everyone who know what is TLLM, or I and E or TSLN? Not everyone will understands the pain of teaching difficult class. And I think by forming a community, we want to help encourage any teacher, so like this session we hope we can meet up with you, become friends with you and start to la kopi with you.

Posted by Daryl Koh (KOPI-C Coorinator)

Why KOPI-C? (Part I)

Coffee contains caffeine - Every Educator needs recharging

It is used to provide a "boost of energy" or a feeling of heightened alertness. It's often used to stay awake longer -- college students and drivers use it to stay awake late into the night. Which very much applies to me, while preparing for this session. As educators, I believe we a need caffeine shot every time we walked into class. I have taught 4 Normal Tech Class for the past 3 years and believe me; I need to drink many cups of coffee just to keep up with them. Teaching is already stressful, not to mention the many other roles we play in school. I think as teachers, we need to check our state in different milestone of our careers. The question we meed to ask ourselves is:

Are we still a fresh fish out of the water after a period of time? Is your eyes still shiny? Are you still excited about your student? Or are you a rotten fish? Stale and rotting.

This was one of the reason we started this KOPI-C, we want to help teachers to continue to be fresh for the job. This include sharing of resources, fresh perspective and ideas. How to do this? Watch out for Part II coming soon....

Posted by Daryl Koh (KOPI-C Coordinator)

Shame on you if you missed this.....

[Reported LIVE from TOUCH Center]

What a star casted night it was indeed... glittered by many amazing stars from all walks of life. These stars are not famous celebrities or politicians... but inspiring teachers and aspiring trainee teachers whom have a passion to be M.A.D - Make A Difference!

It was an awesome few hours spent together, hearing from our inspirational teachers Lay Leng and Shirley on how their journeys as teachers have instilled in them greater passion to keep on going in this race. Why I say the teaching journey is a race? Because it is a race to save and transform young lives. Awesome responsibilities.. that's why they are stars in every way!

I left KOPI-C knowing that teachers are also human.. they face frustrations and stress too just like anyone. What keeps them going on really has to be something supernatural and special... a mega passion and heart for the youths of this generation and beyond.

Presenting to you KOPI-C... A community of ordinary people wanting to make eXtraordinary impact in this generation!


PS: More reports coming to soon.. So stay tuned to KOPI-C Channel!

Inspirations: Redefining Newton's Law

A dear friend of mine inspired me alot with this illustration. Thought of sharing this with everyone so you can also use this illustration to inpsire your students.

Take a look at this bright shiny crunchy red apple.. analyse it well and answer this question:

Question: How many seeds do you think this apple has inside?

Answer: Click Here!

Honestly, I am also not sure... I experimented with some of my apples at home and found that the number of seeds varied! Ok ok... the first question was just an appetizer.. now for the main question....

Question: How many apples are there in one apple seed?

Answer: Click here once again!

UNLIMITED!!! Isn't it amazing? What started out as something puny and insignificant can end up as something big and numerous! Gosh! Don't look down on an apple seed man! Don't depise the days of small beginnings. It can grow into an apple tree that bears many more sparkling red apples!

It is just the same as our DREAMS in life... It may start out as something small, insignificant or even something which you may just laugh it off. We probably would never have dared to believe our dreams are able to be fulfilled! But trust me.. with the right attitude, daring to pursue your dream and never giving up.. Your dream will blossom into reality just like how an apple seed blossom into an apple tree!

So don't look down on your small beginning... Don't despise your dream... It is possible that our dreams become reality...

Don't just let your dream go.. but let your dream GROW!

If you still have time, read on to find out how one of my dreams came to reality.... (click here)

Inspirational Teacher - Mdm Shirley Bong

Mdm Shirley Bong Fui Lian, Montfort Junior School
[RECIPIENT OF THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR TEACHERS 2006]

Mdm Shirley Bong Fui Lian, 34, is the Subject Head for PE and Aesthetics in Montfort Junior School.

She holds the view that she is an ordinary person but by being a teacher she has become extra-ordinary as she can touch and make a difference to students’ lives. Hence, she works with the conviction that every child, regardless of his academic capabilities, can and should be helped to unleash his potential. In her 12 years as a teacher, she has planned and implemented numerous student-centred programmes to help her students learn in an engaged and enriching learning environment.

Mdm Bong believes that sports can spark off learning and has shown by example, how sports can help children learn in a fun way. She has initiated MJ Zest, a whole school approach sports-related programme, to promote healthy living among students and to provide more opportunities for students who are less academically-inclined to assume leadership roles.

Mdm Bong’s colleagues speak well of her contributions towards raising the self-esteem of the disadvantaged students. She is indeed an inspiring role model to younger teachers. Her personal philosophy that a teacher has a pivotal role to play in making a difference to each and every child’s life has had an impact on her students and in her school.

[Quoted from http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2006/pr20060901.htm]

Kopi-C Chillout Session

KOPI-C: Keep On Persevering & Inspiring Community

Dear teachers, are you apprehensive about going to school everyday? Are you tired out my classroom management rather than finding joy in teaching? Are you running out of creative juices for lesson plans? ..... Don't drown your sorrows alone! Come check out KOPI-C!

Teaching is no longer a lonesome routine with KOPI-C, where teachers can gather, share ideas and encourage each other as they journey together in their teaching career.

Inviting all teachers out there!!! Come along for a chill out session with fellow teachers on 17th November 2006!

Limited seats available. $5 per person. Cool drinks and cool food. A time of fun, laughter and inspiration. Networking among fellow teachers (gathering of FUN teachers).

Not to be missed! Register by 9th Nov 2006 via email! Drop and email to Guanghan at kinchio@yahoo.com

How KOPI-C started.....

Two good friends, Daryl and Guanghan, were chatting over lunch at a kopi tiam one day. Daryl is a maths teacher
while Guanghan is a PE trainee teacher at NIE. They were sharing about their concerns for the teachers of today, fearing that teachers might be so burn out by workloads that they lose the passion of teaching and inspiring the students. That's where the idea was born... to create a community amongst teachers and educators where they could share resources, creative ideas and inspire one another! But what should this community be called?

Both Daryl and Guanghan eyes fixed on the cup of "Kopi-c" in front of them and smiled to each other.....