I'm going back to school today. Well, not as a student- student but a school ma'am. Three years of being away from the crazy world of textbooks, examination papers, PTA meetings and paperwork has been fun and interesting but it can't last forever. It's time to face the real working world again, and start earning my salary..hehehe.
It will be interesting how the general school community, especially the students, reacts to a Muslim revert. They'd be dealing with a lady who looks like a Malay and thinks like a Muslim, but understands Chinese and speaks English. Students tend to have a stereotyped image of teachers, so I'm going to have fun slowly pealing off each layer, and make it a learning process for them.
Already a senior teacher had asked me," Are you a Chinese or a Malay? You look like a Chinese."
I had smiled and said,"Muslim Chinese." The next question was also predictable: "You converted because you married a Malay?".
Again I smiled, "Actually no, I converted on my own accord. Later HE married me."
It'll be the first time I'm entering the classroom with my aurat fully covered. I'm still getting used to being called Pn. Aliya, the name and title I have just adopted just a year ago. Initially I had wanted to continue using my Chinese surname but after considering all factors, I decided not to. It'd confuse everyone who'd probably be looking for a free-hair, blouse- and-skirt-wearing Chinese lady instead of the real person in a tudung and loose-flowing robe. After two hours dealing with hormon-raging fun-loving adolescents in the classrooms, I'd rather save my strength for more important things to do than to yell, "It's me! That's my Chinese surname! I'm the one you're looking for!"
Nonetheless, I'll be breaking down a few 'walls' along the way. There aren't many Muslim Chinese educators in local schools, so perhaps my presence will be good for the students; it's hard to be certain. However, I'm going to enjoy my short stint there.
Wish me, and the students well :)
It will be interesting how the general school community, especially the students, reacts to a Muslim revert. They'd be dealing with a lady who looks like a Malay and thinks like a Muslim, but understands Chinese and speaks English. Students tend to have a stereotyped image of teachers, so I'm going to have fun slowly pealing off each layer, and make it a learning process for them.
Already a senior teacher had asked me," Are you a Chinese or a Malay? You look like a Chinese."
I had smiled and said,"Muslim Chinese." The next question was also predictable: "You converted because you married a Malay?".
Again I smiled, "Actually no, I converted on my own accord. Later HE married me."
It'll be the first time I'm entering the classroom with my aurat fully covered. I'm still getting used to being called Pn. Aliya, the name and title I have just adopted just a year ago. Initially I had wanted to continue using my Chinese surname but after considering all factors, I decided not to. It'd confuse everyone who'd probably be looking for a free-hair, blouse- and-skirt-wearing Chinese lady instead of the real person in a tudung and loose-flowing robe. After two hours dealing with hormon-raging fun-loving adolescents in the classrooms, I'd rather save my strength for more important things to do than to yell, "It's me! That's my Chinese surname! I'm the one you're looking for!"
Nonetheless, I'll be breaking down a few 'walls' along the way. There aren't many Muslim Chinese educators in local schools, so perhaps my presence will be good for the students; it's hard to be certain. However, I'm going to enjoy my short stint there.
Wish me, and the students well :)
image photo: www.farrer.provo.edu
alhamdulillah.Moga jadi guru yg terbaik.bukan shj di mata manusia, tapi di hati nurani sendiri.
ReplyDeleteAmal kerana Allah semata.
Uhibbuki fillah =)
Assalamu'alaikum warhamatullahi wabarakattuh
ReplyDeleteTeaching is a NOBLE profession.
Rasulullah s.a.w. said:
1 ) "The best of charity is a Muslim who learns a knowledge and later teaches it to his Muslim brother."
2 ) "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased)."
I was once a teacher for 10 years then migrated to banking line till my retirement.
May Allah s.w.t. bless you in your effort to guide the Ummah.
Uncle Morni
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah,
ReplyDeleteDear Aliya,
Once a teacher, always a teacher...
Love teaching...glad to hear that someone is too!
Salam perkenalan...
Wasalam...