Quimby's Journal

Back in the days when I was in Basic school, I’d always prefer to be seated either in front or in the middle of the class. The back seat or a seat by the window was a NO! NO! for me. I would flinch when my sitting position was changed. It usually did affect my behavior in class and also my general interest in school. But then, have we, as teachers or lecturers, really taken a consideration into seating and sitting arrangements in the classroom or anything goes? Before I proceed, let’s get the distinction between seating arrangement and sitting arrangement. The former has to do with how the seats are arranged - circular fashion, theatre fashion, horse-shoe fashion, etc. The latter refers to positions allocated to people to sit. That cleared, do sitting arrangements really matter in a classroom setting? Can a scholar just desire a particular spot in the classroom without any hindrance? I am a student who preferred to sit at the back even though I had bad eye sight. My teacher would...

As a teacher, I probably can't start my year without making sure I'm fully prepared. That is, having the essential stationery or tools to do my work. A teacher's work tool may vary from person to person or from subject-teacher to subject-teacher. The tools a Science teacher may need to teach may differ from that of a Math Teacher. However, there are some basic stationery that runs across from the head teacher down to the classroom teacher - not compulsory but a must have. This is not to say whatever you have as a teacher listed or not listed here is non-essential. It's just a guide preferably for teachers new to the profession. There is no general rule that you should have all of the stuff mentioned below yet, it would do you great good if you do have them. Most of these stationery are less costly and easy to get. My most important tool of all is the pen. A teacher can't do without writing. Like they say, a pen is mightier than the sword. Writing has more ...

Modern day educational institutions are gradually getting rid of the staffroom, if not entirely. Office spaces have now become more private than public spaces. Teachers would prefer to have their own office space to suit their style and personality than a common room where everybody is welcomed. I, personally, would prefer a private office as compared to a staff common room. Imagine having your quiet time and another colleague walks into the staffroom, puts on the radio to listen to the morning talk show while you just prefer to be in an absolutely solemn environment? You really can't complain can you? After all, its a staff room so I would just have to bare with such "crap".  However, in as much as I would prefer my private office space, there are some interesting facts about the staff room I wouldn't want to miss out on. Talk about the staff room diaries. The staff room allows the teacher to flow easily with colleagues, provides the platform for discussi...