By Utama Bell
The Nursery level is believed to be the ‘foundation level’, which sets the pace for student learning and future academic achievements. This is the main reason why Nursery school teacher Kim Fung takes her job so seriously. Miss Fung, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) has been in the teaching profession for almost 10 years and is presently attached to the South Amelia’s Ward Nursery School. She attended the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and is currently a final year student at the University of Guyana where she is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Her passion for assisting children in the learning process was birthed many years ago when she entered into a volunteer teacher’s programme and was stationed at the Aroaima Primary School in the Upper Berbice Region. There, Miss Fung learned that teaching was indeed her calling. Speaking with the Sunday Times Magazine, she related that this passion later drove her to continue to become more qualified by pursuing a career in Education. Prior to teaching at her present location, she taught at the Amelia’s Ward Nursery school also in Linden. For Miss Fung, she explained it is more than just a daily dose of teaching.
“I just love the job, I love children. The experience is amazing. Just to see how the students come into school not knowing much and then you are there to teach them. They leave you learning so much- how to write their names for example. It might sound simple but sometimes it’s very challenging to make them achieve things like that. This is one of the most important levels of a child’s education. It’s the foundation, so my role is super important”, she declared.
Miss Fung, who is a former student of the New Silvercity Secondary School in Linden admits that while she did not initially dream of becoming a teacher, she grew to develop a love for the profession as she entered into it as chance would have it.
“I grew to love it as I got into it and that is why I chose to become a professional teacher”, she said.
She noted that it is a path she is proud of and will continue along. According to her, there are many rewards which comes from being a teacher, and they are found in the simplest things such as a smile on the children’s faces.
A typical day in the life of Miss Fung, as she explained entails greeting her students with hugs in the morning. As the day progresses, she works with the students in achieving daily goals through various interactive educational activities. She presently has nineteen students enrolled in her class as she explained that it becomes extremely challenging at times, especially when it comes to dealing with, in some cases hyperactive students. Nevertheless, she noted, “Seeing them smile really lights up my world”.
In taking a closer look at student learning, Miss Fung explained that every child learns differently. She also shared her experience with
dealing with a child with mild autism whom she noted was able to make a lot of progress during the time he spent in her class. In such cases, she explained, it is important that effective intervention is applied. In such cases, she is grateful for her knowledge gained through training and attending University.
“I would also do my own research just to learn about how to deal with children with different abilities. I would have learned a lot too from attending Teacher’s College and University. You learn how to deal with every child- how to meet every child’s needs because every child is special and they all learn differently. So, you have to observe and know what works for them”, Miss Fung reasoned.
Her advice to both teachers and parents of students at the Nursery level is to be patient and try to understand the learning abilities of children at the early childhood level. This, she noted, would give a better understanding of how to cater to their specific educational needs.
“Every child learns at their own pace and every child has a special way of learning. You have to be observant and understand ways in which they learn easily and develop special ways in catering to their specific needs. Create a child friendly atmosphere and give them experience that would involve all of their senses and motivate them to learn and reach their full potential”, she advised.
Miss Fung looks forward to completing her Bachelors degree programme at University and to a fulfilling future in Education.
On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, celebrated on October 5, the dedication and efforts as well as the strides made by teachers such as Miss Fung and others across the globe is being recognized. This year, World Teachers’ Day is being observed under the theme, “Young teachers: the future of professions.”
