The ESL Teacher |
1 January, 2007 |
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THE THREE ADMIRABLE SMK AGAMA MIRI PRINCIPALS PN ROSIE HAJI YUNUS (JAN 1996 - SEPT 1997), SARAWAK 
A pleasant but firm lady, she welcomed me and made me feel part of the school from day one. The credit goes to her for turning SMKAM into a much respected school. Pn. Rosie came to SMKAM in 1996, saw what needed to be done, and did her best to improve the school in all areas. It was during her time that SMKAM began to shine and and managed to open the eyes of other rival schools by winning competitions, matches and tournaments. Pn. Rosie was determined that SMKAM should be a place for students who made it clear that they were worthwhile enough to be there. Students who created serious offences were asked to leave SMKAM for another school. As a result, 6 months after she arrived, the school became a very nice place for both teaching and learning to take place. SMKAM also made her mark in academic achievement under her reign. It was a sad moment for the teachers and a great loss to the school when Pn. Rosie was promoted as a principal in SM Sains Miri - an established fully residential school - after being in SMKAM for only 1 year plus.
USTAZ MD YUSOF DIMIN (OCT 1998 - OCT 1999), SELANGOR 
He was 54 when he arrived at SMKAM to replace Pn. Rosie. A soft spoken, genial and a VERY humble man. I got the shock of my life when I saw him sweeping the floor, alone, behind the dining hall during a 'gotong royong' at the school. (I caught a student and asked him to take the broom from the principal!). Ustaz Md Yusof might be nearing retirement, but that didn't stop him from taking interests in the students' well-being and accomplishment. In fact, when the situation called for it, he would call the students to his office for some pep talk. Ustaz Md Yusof treated his staffs as a loving father would and for that I thank him. You simply couldn't imagine how kind and humble that guy was! On his last day at the school, during the farewell ceremony at the great hall i.e. the dining hall (remember, this was in Piasau) he recited a poem penned by himself entitled "Selamat Tinggal Anak-Anakku" or "Good-bye My Children". And it was at that time that his hidden talent shone through. He read it so beautifully that many of the students (and the teachers too!) had tears in their eyes. Well... many of the students were crying openly. The teachers? I'm not going to tell you that! His farewell gift to the staffs and students? He made sure that the contractors completed their work on the new SMKAM in Tukau that October itself.
USTAZ HAJI AMIN MOHD RASHID (JAN 2000 - MARCH 2003), SELANGOR 
He was in his mid-40s when he arrived at the new SMKAM. He came alone having left his family back home in Selangor. And he stayed alone in the principal's house until his departure in March 2003. Ustaz Amin was a very open-minded, diplomatic and approachable person. In fact, he was never one to make a decision without listening to the teachers' opinions first. The decision was ultimately his. But he made sure everyone had a chance to voice his/her concern. It was democracy at its best! Ustaz Amin was also the type of principal who had complete faith in his teachers. He did not interfere in your teaching in anyway and was always supportive of any positive actions that you decide to take. And best, he gave credit when credit was due. It was definitely a pleasure working under a boss who knew how to appreciate you.
:: Yours Truly |