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LIFE SPRING
TEACHERS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Teachers who are Christians are considered the most dedicated and responsible towards their profession. Fellowship like this will improve interpersonal skills of the teachers.Here we can share.When they meet their fellow believers, interaction starts.From the sharing,testimonies, discussion and sermons
a person can be enriched and replenished and motivated. If you are a Christian teacher try to attend any Christian Fellowship in your area. If we want to be well understood, then meet the other teachers. They will surely understand what you are going through

THE RESPECTED TEACHER

Every teacher wants to be respected and loved by his or her students.When we were students before, we called teachers all kind of names.We gave them names because we disliked them.The teachers that we disfavour were those who comes into the class in bad mood and get angry at any opportunity;those who likes to boast; teachers who show favouritism, teachers who do not mark exercise books, teachers who pretend to teach, teachers who are lazy, teachers who comes late and leave the class early, teachers who do not want to help and those who have poor discipline themselves etc.

Teachers who are firm but fair are respected too.Those who like to help students would surely gain their respect and love.Teachers who show concern about the students welfare and academic performance would be well-liked by the students.

One of the good things that these teachers do is they sacrifice their time,effort and money for the betterment of their students.An little act of good deed will find a place in the heart of any student.Buying a pen for a needy student is a small act of concern and love but its effect on the student will be lasting.

A good teacher begins the day with a smile and ends it also with a smile.When the teacher smiles, the learning process becomes smoother because the young minds and hearts are softer and ready to accept what is taught.

There are many rules in school, but we must always know that there are many reasons why some students break the rules.The good teacher will try to understand his student more so that he will be able to help.Students come from different families or (institutions)so are the teachers.Therefore, we need to learn what kind of manners or behaviour are taught by the student's parents- to be able to understand our student.

I had punsihed many students, by canning, doing some work, suspension and fine but although some forms of punishment are effective these are not really the answer to curb indiscipline. Some simple acts of love and concern can help curb indiscipline in a person without resorting to creating fear techniques.We should punish but at the same time be quick to reach out to the student.Creating an atmosphere of respect and love will surely help a lot to avoid carrying out such punishment.

Teachers are 24 hours busy, hence holidays are much waited for.Teachers should try to go somewhere to spend their holidays with their family or without their children if possible.Attending courses or seminars during holidays will not give us a break from the books or class situation.

Knowing the parents of the students are very helpful.First, the students will try to behave for fear that we will speak to their parents.Secondly, we will be able to understand the student better by knowing their parents background.

Speaking to the students on a personal basis is one way for us to encourage the student to communicate easily with us.Calling their names is even better.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND JOINING ONE

Joining a Chrsitian Fellowship is the wisest decision that we can make.First, we are able to share our burden with those who are like-minded.Secondly, we learn from the experiences of others.Thirdly, we have a close network of friends who will understand and will help us in times of need and most importantly, we are able to learn from the Master- the true teacher, JESUS CHIRST.Teachers are a well organized lot, because they have to be.With lots of students around them, proper organization is necessary.Joining TCF means we want to acknowledge that there is a Master teacher in whom we trust.

THE MASTER TEACHER
1.Teaching by example.To be a respected teacher, we need to be an example in almost everything, including our lifestyle and character.That was what Jesus did to His disciples.They were attracted to Him not only by what He was teaching but by the way He live with them.We cannot be respected and trusted if our way of life is not acceptable by the general public.To gain respect and trust, we must be seen as an honest, truthful person who has good moral values.We cannot be a leader or teacher if we have no moral values. Normally, a teacher can only be a good teacher if he or she is accepted by his or her students.Nowadays, it is very difficult to find a good teacher.

SOME EXPERIENCES OF BEING TRANSFERED TO REMOTE AREAS
In 1984, I received a letter from the Director informing me to report to a very remote school in the Kelabit Highlands, as a school principal.The secondary school is only accessible by MAS.At the age of 29, they asked me to assume the responsibility of a headmaster.I almost didn't go. A former principal of the school told me that the place is like heaven!I eventually loved the place and when I was transfered to a new school 6 years later, everybody, especially the people there were very emotional.I was transfered there because of God's plan.

As a school principal, I received many young teachers who had all kinds of look/expressions when they first report for duty.Some were happy, but there were some who cried themselves to sleep the first few weeks.But later, they got over it and were able to stay there for a number of years. Of course they were some who reported for duty and then left immediately. Quite unfortunate. They were given the chance to enrich others' lives and their own but they just couldn't accept the challenges.

As a person we need to mix around and learn the basic things such as washing our own clothes, cooking simple meals, learning to eat all kinds of wild vegetables etc.These are very useful if we are to be transfered away from the town.There were cases where some fresh university graduates don't even know what is cloth hangers or how to wash their own clothes!What more cooking! The real fear of being posted to new school is not because of the students or teachers that they are going to meet, but because they had not acquired the simple basic skills of being independent and looking after oneself.

For the Christian teacher, being posted to a new school is actually God's plan. God places His people to help bring the good News.We always react negatively when we are posted to a place that we do not know.I was asked to go to my present school some 7 years ago. I never thought of being posted there anymore after I was posted to another place.But many years later, after serving in 3 different schools, I was moved to the school that I had refused to go and I couldn't refused anymore. Now, being in this school, God's plans are beginning to unfold.Being in my present school brings a lot of blessing to others as well as ourselves. Our lives are enriched as we enrich the lives of our students and fellow teachers.

When we are posted to a new school, we should find out who are the Christian teachers in the school.From there, we will be able to start moving around.

So if you are a new teacher, and being posted to some places not in your map, accept it. You will come out of it with beautiful memories and a very wise teacher.

MORE THAN JUST A TEACHER
There were all lining up, at the door of the class room.They had made their classroom a guest room, with all kinds of food and soft drinks waiting for all the teachers who enter their classroom.It was teachers Day.With huge welcoming smiles they greeted us, giving us cards and flowers...happy teachers day!Teachers day in my school is the happiest moment for my teachers because it was the day, our students and teachers laugh,joke, talk and play together!What a wonderful moment to cherish.We have 19 classrooms and 19 guest rooms!

If you are a teacher, you are a person who will shape the life of a child forever, for better or for worst.You are no ordinary person.The life of an individual is in your hands.He will succeed or fail in life because of you. The way he or she thinks depend on you.So you are no ordinary person.You are more than just a teacher.If you are a Christian, you responsibilities will be quite obvious.Someday, they will remember you.Hence, remember to be a good teacher.

JOIN THE TCF DINNER ON 19TH JULY IN MIRI.DON'T MISS IT, IF YOU ARE IN MIRI.

A meeting cum dinner for principals and PKs who are Christians was held at a restaurant on 18th March 2008. A teacher from Kuching was invited to give talk on Bible Knowledge for SPM Candidates. It was a wonderful input. We are planning to get some teachers to help with the BK in some of the schools soon.

2008 TCF DINNER will be held on the 19 July 2008


ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN TEACHER?
If you are a Christian teacher, you have about 35 students observing you. Some students like you, some students don't like you for all kinds of reasons. But what thing is certain.. if you are a committed and upright teacher, none of your students will complain about you. Students begin to trust their teachers if they see the teachers are honest and very committed. If the teachers are impartial they will have support of the students.

Christian teacher is special in many ways:-

The Christian teacher is more than what he or she teaches. He or she represents Christ. The sacrifical service of Jesus to others is passed on to him or her...in other words, this teacher sacrifices many things for the betterment of his or her students. There is no limit to what he or she will do in order to help the students. He or she wants to be an example of what is good.

His or her love of children is the reason of him or her to choose teaching as a profession. Therefore, this teacher will be involved in any activities that will increase the quality of life of the students..one of those activities is to tell the students about God and about Jesus Christ. The Christian teacher will not excuse himself or herself from telling the students about God if the opportunity arises. If there is no opportunity, he or she will create opportunity. Involving himself or herself in ISCF activities is why the Christian teacher is being called to be teachers. Have you involved yourself in any Christian activities for students? If not, then, you have yet to done the purpose of God for your life.

A JOYFUL JOURNEY
I started teaching in 1978, as a trained teacher. SMK Subis was my first school and being a young man, I was quite active in games as well as an ISCF teacher. Now at the age of 52, I have decided to retire at the age of 56 rather than 58. I had influenced and shaped young lives throughout my more than 30 years service, indeed. Many of my students had become important people, holding important posts. There were others who did not make it to higher forms or to the university. But what i know, I was instrumental in shaping young lives. This is something I am proud of because as a teacher, my main intention is that my students succeed in life. Withour my students, my life would not have been so colourful. I have painted many pictures in the hearts of my students, and my life was made more meaningful by them too.

In 1995, as my plane was approaching Miri, a pretty girl, one of the air stewardess came to me with a paper bag containing some presents. "Sir, this is a present for you. I was your student in 1978." This is one of the many instances of my meeting my former students.

The life of a teacher is full of joy. Its a journey that will shape the future of a young person. This journey becomes more and more beautiful as we share the growing process of our students..their laughter, their trust, their excitement make our life the more colourful.

If you are a teacher, you are indeed, involved in a noble profession..a profession that involves the heart.

THE TEACHER-THE ROLE MODEL
The most effective teacher is the one whose life is an example of what he or she teaches. When we choose to be a teacher, we choose to be a role model. This is a very hard thing to do isn't it, especially if you are someone who has no heart for teaching but became a teacher because there is no other job for you. But then we still can train ourselves to be a good teacher.

Being a teacher is no joke. What you teach must be the truth- not made up stories or lies. Most students love the subjects because they like the teacher. They saw something in the teacher that motivated them. W.E Gladstone quoted, " ONE EXAMPLE IS WORTH A THOUSAND ARGUMENTS."

NEWS UPDATE FOR TEACHERS

01.09.08 - TCF/SU Fellowship at New Creation Family Centre , at 0900am - speaker; Father Stanley from the Anglican Church.


TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATION DINNER IN MIRI on the 27th June 2009
The TCF will once again organize the TCF Dinner on the 27th June 2009.

TCF PROGRAMMES:

27th June, at 3.00pm-4.30pm, Dynasty Hotel, Miri: Motivational talk by Dr Low Guat Tin, a much sought after Speaker from Singpore. A well known Eduactionists.

27th June, 6.30pm; TCF Dinner. Talk by Dr Low Guat Tin, during the dinner. His Sparrows will perform during the dinner too. Don't miss this gathering of Christian Teachers.Dinner Ticket is priced at RM35.00. Get your tickets from the organizing committee.

So be ready to bring your colleagues to this occasion.

RESPONSE TO THE TCF ACTIVITIES ON 27TH JUNE

What a wonderful moment we have last saturday! More than 300 teachers and friends came for the dinner. Many expressed their gratefulness and joy for having come for the dinner. The speaker was really fantastic. She made every one laughed throughout. She really motivated and encourage everyone. Many said it was a very important night for them. They were renewed and re-energized.Thanks Indy, our TCF Malaysia Staff worker and Dr Low Guat Tin. Wonderful and fruitful night of sharing and gathering.
TEACHERS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Conference in Lawas this August
To all Christian teachers in Sarawak, this year TCF Conference is in Lawas

22-23rd August 2009
Place: SIB Bandar Lawas

Since it is the beginning of the school Holiday, visiting Kota Kinabalu after the conference is a good idea.