This year didn’t come with a neat lesson plan. It came with questions, courage, late nights, small wins, quiet doubts—and so much growth. As I look back, I realise this wasn’t just a year of doing more as a teacher. It was a year of becoming.

I started the year with one simple hope: to be a better teacher for my learners. Not louder. Not trendier. Just more present, more thoughtful, and more brave in trying new things—even when I wasn’t fully confident yet. 💛

Learning to Learn Again 🎓💡

One of the biggest shifts this year was stepping back into the role of a learner. I explored professional learning more intentionally, asked more questions, and allowed myself to not know—which, honestly, isn’t always easy as a teacher.

Becoming an Apple Learning Coach was a milestone that reminded me that learning is deeply personal. It’s not about tools first; it’s about people, purpose, and practice. Soon after, earning my Gemini Certified Educator badge (with a score I’m still quietly proud of 😌) deepened my understanding of AI—not as a shortcut, but as a thoughtful partner in teaching. I learned about bias, hallucinations, ethics, and most importantly, the human-in-the-loop principle.

AI didn’t replace my teaching. It refined my thinking.

Teaching With Heart (and a Little Chaos) 🧠💬

My classroom this year was noisy, imperfect, and very real. I taught learners who were energetic, distracted, fasting, curious, tired, excited—all at once. Classroom management challenged me. Some days, I questioned myself. Other days, I laughed it off and tried again.

What helped was designing learning that felt alive.

That’s how Story Island grew—slowly, playfully, and with a lot of heart. With Piung by our side 🐢, my learners wrote, explored, imagined, and moved through stories step by step. I learned that low-level learners don’t need “less”—they need clearer, kinder, and more engaging pathways.

And sometimes, they just need us to believe they can.

Creativity, Culture, and Connection 🎨🌴

This year, I leaned into what I love—stories, visuals, culture, and small joyful details. From Malaysian-themed writing tasks to playful vocabulary videos like Piung Word Pop, I saw how creativity opens doors, especially for learners who struggle with words.

I also found my voice online—as Teacher Asniem—reflecting, sharing, and documenting the messy beauty of teaching. Writing became my way of processing growth. Of staying honest.

Faith, Gratitude, and Growth 🤍🌱

Through it all, I’m deeply grateful. For mentors, colleagues, learners, opportunities—and for the quiet strength that carried me through moments of doubt.

This year also reminded me that growth doesn’t stop after exams end.

After the final year exam, when energy is usually low and everyone is counting days, I chose to begin something new.

For my Year 5 learners, I initiated a reading challenge—not because it was required, but because I wanted them to rediscover reading as something meaningful, personal, and achievable. Watching them participate, try, and stay engaged reminded me that small initiatives can still create impact.

For my Year 2 learners, I took the leap with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience. The marks are still being tabulated, and the reflections will come later—but I already know this: I’m proud that I tried. I’m proud that learning didn’t stop at assessment, and that my learners were given space to talk about themselves, their families, their friends, and the places they love.

Sometimes, the success isn’t in the final numbers—it’s in the courage to start.

A Closing Dua 🤲✨

Ya Allah,

Grant me a heart that is gentle with its own shortcomings.

Help me forgive myself for the lessons I didn’t get right, the moments I felt I fell short, and the days I questioned my own worth as a teacher.

Teach me to take wisdom from every downfall, clarity from every mistake, and strength from every challenge.

When I stumble, guide me to rise with humility.

When I feel tired, renew my intention.

And when I look ahead, fill my heart with hope, courage, and trust in Your plans.

Let me continue to grow—not just as a teacher, but as a person who teaches with sincerity, compassion, and faith.

Ameen. 🤍

Here’s to another year of becoming.

Me on the last day of the academic year!

— Teacher Asniem 💚