In all likelihood, this was the first week of what, as it looks now, will be my last semester at the school. The plan is, come Oct/Nov to leave this 'paid holiday' behind, and get a job in IT industry.
After 2 years, it's time for me to move on - and they agree (especially the HR :).
Or so I thought... funny story of assumptions is that first I thought I'm out at the end this contract. Then I was sure that I am out. And now, apparently, there is a possibility of extending.
Here's what happened. Last week, after the 1st module meeting for the new semester, my RO (Reporting Officer) got me surprised; she asked me what's my plan. This, after her public announcement that this will be my last semester. She made the announcement during the 'Software Development Cluster's end of the semester lunch' the day after I got back from my Hong Kong trip back in February. I was happy during the lunch, still buzzing w/ a 'travel rush' (or was it just the lack of sleep), and then her surprising delivery of the expected news got me stunned. Excuse me for expecting her to tell me in private, before announcing it to some 20 people. As for the news itself, after all the 'scolding' by the Director, I used to say that: 'there's a higher chance of snowing in Spora, then me getting an offer to extend the contract'. So to clear-out our, yet another episode of misunderstanding, RO and I had a meeting last Friday. I assumed she said what she said, during that February lunch, because she was told that by the 'higher powers' that this is it for me. Well it turns out that (apparently) she assumed that International Fellows stay for a maximum of 2yrs.
I wanted another contract offer as, like most of us, I like choices. Thought it would be nice to have that contract offer as a safety net - just in case nothing else works out. RO told me that she is happy to support the contract renewal for me, even to help me find a teaching position at the neighbouring school. Thanks, but no thanks... being honest with her, there is no point to ask her to arrange for another teaching position at this stage when I'm all gearing up to jump the ship. This being said, if I needed, I will contact her - though fingers crossed, that scenario will not play out.
Reminding myself that this is my last semester on the way to the class, made me enjoy the class just a tad more. Seems this student batch is more 'switched on' - sentiment seconded by few colleagues.
In addition to the 'bread n butter' - Object Oriented Analysis and Design (UML) - I'm also teaching two classes for the 2nd year elective Java programming module, WAD -Windows Applications Development (if you thought a title like this would come with .Net, ASP, VB or something else form the house of Microsoft, you'd be forgiven. I was pleasantly surprised to find Java). I was happy to teach this module. Thinking was: many of students at the school ended up there because none of their 1st 49 choices got through, and thus majority really 'hates' programming, especially Java (the 1st year language), and thus most of them would chose anything else but WAD. So far it looks like I'm manly right, kids in WAD class are the 'better' kids (there is a number of them in each class who dislike the networking more then they dislike Java).
All together, as in previous semester, I have four classes. This time, this adds up to 20 hours of teaching, with Fridays off.
Also I have four Final Year Project Students. Last semester I had two, one got an A, the other one is repeating this semester.
It's the last, here's the hope it's not the least...!
After 2 years, it's time for me to move on - and they agree (especially the HR :).
Or so I thought... funny story of assumptions is that first I thought I'm out at the end this contract. Then I was sure that I am out. And now, apparently, there is a possibility of extending.
Here's what happened. Last week, after the 1st module meeting for the new semester, my RO (Reporting Officer) got me surprised; she asked me what's my plan. This, after her public announcement that this will be my last semester. She made the announcement during the 'Software Development Cluster's end of the semester lunch' the day after I got back from my Hong Kong trip back in February. I was happy during the lunch, still buzzing w/ a 'travel rush' (or was it just the lack of sleep), and then her surprising delivery of the expected news got me stunned. Excuse me for expecting her to tell me in private, before announcing it to some 20 people. As for the news itself, after all the 'scolding' by the Director, I used to say that: 'there's a higher chance of snowing in Spora, then me getting an offer to extend the contract'. So to clear-out our, yet another episode of misunderstanding, RO and I had a meeting last Friday. I assumed she said what she said, during that February lunch, because she was told that by the 'higher powers' that this is it for me. Well it turns out that (apparently) she assumed that International Fellows stay for a maximum of 2yrs.
I wanted another contract offer as, like most of us, I like choices. Thought it would be nice to have that contract offer as a safety net - just in case nothing else works out. RO told me that she is happy to support the contract renewal for me, even to help me find a teaching position at the neighbouring school. Thanks, but no thanks... being honest with her, there is no point to ask her to arrange for another teaching position at this stage when I'm all gearing up to jump the ship. This being said, if I needed, I will contact her - though fingers crossed, that scenario will not play out.
Reminding myself that this is my last semester on the way to the class, made me enjoy the class just a tad more. Seems this student batch is more 'switched on' - sentiment seconded by few colleagues.
In addition to the 'bread n butter' - Object Oriented Analysis and Design (UML) - I'm also teaching two classes for the 2nd year elective Java programming module, WAD -Windows Applications Development (if you thought a title like this would come with .Net, ASP, VB or something else form the house of Microsoft, you'd be forgiven. I was pleasantly surprised to find Java). I was happy to teach this module. Thinking was: many of students at the school ended up there because none of their 1st 49 choices got through, and thus majority really 'hates' programming, especially Java (the 1st year language), and thus most of them would chose anything else but WAD. So far it looks like I'm manly right, kids in WAD class are the 'better' kids (there is a number of them in each class who dislike the networking more then they dislike Java).
All together, as in previous semester, I have four classes. This time, this adds up to 20 hours of teaching, with Fridays off.
Also I have four Final Year Project Students. Last semester I had two, one got an A, the other one is repeating this semester.
It's the last, here's the hope it's not the least...!
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