Be the best, beat the rest!

Be the best and beat the rest

Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen. yourself, right now, right down here on Earth. Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.

This week of 6, I done lots of activities but the most interesting one is when I have to take care 60 students in bus and bringing them to Michigan State University for the FFA Spring Skill Contest. These past few activity have been filled with laughter, learning and a lot of love, due in large part to all of my students from freshman year at the Montague High School. Spring FFA Skill Contest is one of the contest that been done every year. The contest are Agriculture Businnes, Poultry Quiz, Foltriculture, Agriculture Presentation and Vet Science. I had so much fun that becauce upon they all done their contest we are all having chatting outside the hall and share my experience about having my teaching practical in Malaysia for one month before I came here. Whats a great day with them!

 

Since im in USA, I would love to learn and study about how US Culture will be, so that’s why my assistant teacher Mr.Letot has make a planned for me to put me at my host family, Ms. Lemmen. Because people are people. From every corner of this Earth, there are individuals out there, who only want to make the world a better place and share their love. We all want to be loved and need to do more to find these people and break out of our scared shells caused by only seeing what is in our backyards. So I have done a lots during this weekend with her family. Its very awesome. I learn how to eat western food without rice, how to make a corn crop using big truck, go two tracking inside the woods of Michigan, riding four wheelers and ranger and learning how to shoot using a real guns at Michigan state University. I am very enjoyed that US culture is so fun. Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.

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I was visiting church during my weekend there for the sack of new knowledge. For me learning about othere religion doesn’t make you feel bad because you can be matured and be open minded from that. I shared with paster Rick and Philips about Islam and they shared me about Christian. Actually differentiation can make us connect because for me eventhough we are in the different religion but we still together in this world. We are need for each other so why would we have to fight just because of small things. I am very happy to learn about Christian and share about islam with them. This will be the best experienced ever from the last weekend. Eventhough im muslim but I have to say that we as a human need to have global minded to make us survive in this challenging world 🙂

 

There are good and bad people in every religion and faith in the world, but we cannot let the bad overshadow the good. No matter how many differences can be spotted, this experience has allowed my new family to grow, with members of many different faiths. I cannot wait to see how myself shares my love going forward. Here is to a strong finish and more adventures to come with this family even after our experience concludes.

I consider myself blessed to have been able to find some of the greatest people on this clinical teaching programmed.

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching 

Montague High School

United States of America

Spring Break!

Travel it leaves you speechless then turn you into a storyteller

           This week is so fascinating! This is week I have done a lots to fill out of my time during this spring break. Tell me, what do you think of when you imagine the perfect states? Diversity of culture? Oh yeah, clean road and cherry blossom during spring? If these things are on your ideal states to visit, you just might enjoy Washington DC very well because I know I did. Washington, D.C formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington or D.C, is the capital of the United States. As the seat of the United States federal government and several international organizations, Washington is an important world political capital. This is like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The city is also one of the most visited cities in the world, with more than 20 million tourists annually. They have a lots of diversity religion there because there are a lot of embassy’s government. Washington, DC, the U.S. capital, is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia. It’s defined by imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings including the iconic ones that house the federal government’s 3 branches which are the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court. It was very a great experience when I got pictures in front of these 3 monuments. It’s also home to iconic museums and performing-arts venues such as the Kennedy Center. There were so many activities in DC that I wish I can be here longer.

Having the opportunity to challenge myself with travelling alone is something new to me. A lot of places I visited by my-self such as White House, US Capital and Memorial Lincoln. My dream had come true because I have been dreaming to visit these places since my childhood. The monument is go majestic surrounded by beautiful garden. Its astonished me so much. Looking forward to the museum tour I also came across an exertion of exploring the entire museum there. I love the air and space museum because they have exhibition about the Soyuz which is the ship that use for an astronaut to go to the galaxy. The tour guide gave very specific explanation which I enjoy so much. The air and space museum are full with the airplanes and history about the first plane created by the four brothers. The exhibition also included the famous Albert Einstein that has been an icon of galaxy and space. I am also very lucky to witness the famous cherry blossom of DC. I am so excited and very happy to experience that! Washington DC was a great place to learn the history, culture, and tradition of United States of America!

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Part 2 of my spring break is having the greatest experience visiting the Big Apple, New York City. This city is very busy and full of light and huge screen promoting the advertisement 24 hours. New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway Theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square. New York City is one of the city that people all of over the world visit and one of the must see is the Times Square. Navigation through New York is not complicated and easy as direction is block by block. With awesome architecture and parks, New York was rated No. 1 of America’s most beautiful cities by Budget Travel. Take in its grandeur from observation decks at icons like the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, or on a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge or Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I felt so glad that I had the opportunity to explore around the city and enjoy the fantastic city and people from diverse ethnicity.

My spring break had been an amazing experience and I want to give my appreciation to the Malaysia Embassy at Washington DC especially Mr. Fakhri and Mr. Lassim for their hospitality in hosting my stay in DC. Thank you for preparing me delicious Malaysia’s food during my stay. This spring break had brought me to new places and making connection with new people.

See you in my next week blogpost 🙂

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching 

Montague High School

United States of America

Learning never end

 

The Pursuit of Knowledge is Never-ending

This whole week was very interesting as I encounter a new challenge. This week I am responsible to guide my freshmen class lesson units related to Southeast Asia. Although Malaysia in one the Southeast Asia country and it is located near Vietnam, my knowledge about the Vietnam history is limited. I had to do a lot of reading and research on the topic before I can plan and facilitate the lesson. I learned a lot of new interesting and important fact about Vietnam especially bout The Vietnam War. For my Earth ecology class this week, students were required to complete a 10 page case study about the water pollution in Southeast Asia. This case study also requires students to use their prior knowledge on Vietnam War and soldiers during war in Southeast Asia they learned in their History and English Class. The case study was a very challenging task as students were asked to choose one Southeast Asia country, relate to what they have learned about water pollution and analyzed the case. Although most of them struggle to complete the task, I am happy to see their enthusiasm and working very hard on the task .Some did ask for extension and I think this is a very good thing because my students are feeling very comfortable and close to me . I was really satisfied with the lesson because there were a lot of communication between me and my students. We argue, discuss and a lot of time had a good time in class. At the end class of March 27^th, I am so proud to see that all of my students submitted the case study through my email.

 

This week we don’t have any SAE Project to visit because of spring break. We had interview sessions to select new officer for the FFA chapter of Montague. Another new knowledge I am excited to learn about is FFA. FFA is Future Farmer Agriculture is an Association that is very well known in the United State. The association is aimed to develop student talent and leadership related to food, fiber and natural resources in agriculture. I would say that FFA is very successful in developing the leadership skills among the FFA members. This week I was given to opportunity to be part on the interview panel for the selection of new officer for the FFA chapter of Montague. However, due to some health issue, I was not able to attend. I hope I still have the opportunity to be part of the interview panel so I can learn more about FFA.

Another interesting event for this week is I gave my students of the 7^th period class durian candy! Durian is the king of the fruit in Asia. It has a very strong taste and smell. Most of the student gave a thumb down. It was a very fun for the students although most of them would not try it again or recommend to others. I am also looking forward to taste some different food here in America!

Here is to more adventures and another day in Unites Sates of America!

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching 

Montague High School

United States of America

 

 

Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mendela)

For my third week in Montague High School, thing seems to get better for me. I felt more comfortable around students and my students look so happy and excited during every class session. This week I was given the responsibility by Ms. Feurstein to teach another extra 2 classes of Earth Ecology. The learning objectives for this week are my students should be able to lead an experiment, make a report and identify water pollution. During the lesson students were highly engage in the activities and I can see they were showing a very good in teamwork in leading the experiment on ‘The effect of table salts to the melting point of ice cubes’. They were very focused during my briefing and demonstration. There was two way communications during the class. I always tried to cheer up my class with some funny stories to make them laugh and feel happy during the lesson. I was satisfied with the class this week as all students were able to complete the experiment and laboratory report.

 

This week topic (Water Pollution) is very important because water pollution could happen in our daily life. During the lesson I gave a strong emphasis on the knowledge of the impact of water pollution to human all over the world. In the lesson I highlighted to my students on the importance of water conservation and how our generation need to carry on this responsibilities to preserve our earth for a better future. The education of caring our environment is very crucial to enable sustainable development all over the world.

SAE PROJECT

This week I visited another SAE Project of my students Caitlin and also Clay. Caitlin introduced me a lot about her horses that she takes care. The horses that she takes care are so huge (I not use to see I lot of horses in Malaysia). She trains her horses very well and the horses can ran very fast. Caitlin also shared with me about how she takes care of the horses. Caitlin and her father will give food to the horses early in the morning. Most of horses when they were born they will already be around 100 pound and tall. Her horses are breed of Quarter Horse. I have also asked her why normally horses love to kick human or maybe another animal from its back, this is because of the horses is mad. I love to see in real life the horse since in Malaysia is very hard, if there are people who have horses in Malaysia they are considered wealthy. I am so amazed to see how students here can have horses. The other SAE project I visited was Clay who has rearing goats and chicken. The goats that Clay has are mostly come from Africa. The goats are very adorable and very clean. He also help with the chicken that his family rear at the back of their house. I love to see how one family is very concern about animal wildlife here.

 

As for myself reflection this week I believe every day is a journey to gain new knowledge especially when there are a lot of differences between what and how I teach in Malaysia and in The United State. I just have to be open-minded and confident. My last day in that week at school I have been honored to watch a rehearsal about Sherlock Holmes by Montague’s students. They are so talented!

Before I end this blog posting, I would like to take a minute of silence to remember the tragedy that happened in Christchurch New Zealand last Friday. May all of their soul will rest in peace. As Nelson Mandela mention “Education (knowledge) is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela knew exactly what he was talking about. To this day education (knowledge) remains one of the keys to enabling countries to develop. Whether fighting pollution, poverty, hunger or war, education is one of the basic tools for enabling peace and sustainable development all over the world.

‘LIFE IS FULL OF QUIET MOMENTS BIG DREAM, JOYOUS, LAUGHTER AND HEARTFELT TEARS’

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching 

Montague High School

United States of America

 

Be out from your comfort zone!

‘Steeping out of your comfort zone’.

 

For my blog this week, I would like to refer to a quote by Brian Tracy about steeping out of our comfort zone. For the past 23 years of my life, I have been in my comfort zone, but since arriving in the USA I am challenge with being in a very different environment and situation. This new environment pushes me into unfamiliar places and doing things that I normally would not do. It is very challenging to teach in a second language, while trying to adapt in a different culture. Therefore, I will always remind myself by referring to the quote especially when I am feeling down. I believe that to grow I need to push myself to places I have never been before.

 

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So this week I had started my first teaching experience in Montague Public high School. It was very nervous and I feel awkward being in front of the classroom with all students looking at me. However I was manage to put my feeling aside to make myself comfortable in a new environment. Surprisingly, my students were really excited, and happy to have me as their practical teacher from Malaysia. There were a lot of questions been asked during my first class. I started my class with a Kahoot quiz session about introduction of myself during ice breaker last week. There are 7 students got correct 5 out of 5. That means most of them were very focused and they understand my class. I continued the lesson about water units and water properties. Besides teaching about water property, I am also put a great emphasis on the value of preserving our water as it is the most important resources for human on earth. The lesson continues with a small project, where students are given the task to create a mock up of water molecule. By the end of the lesson I felt very proud of myself and also proud of my students because we had work together in completing this topic. One thing I could learn from this week experience is language is NOT a barrier. Be brave and confident to put yourself outside your comfort zone. You will find that there are a lot of good people around you that will support and make you feel at home.

 

I have also joined my first Professional Development with all of the teachers in this school. We shared our perception about millenial students. The technologies nowadays sometimes give benefits and sometimes not.

I have also got an experienced to visit SAE (Supervise Agriculture Experience) of Emma Waller and Morgan Herremes. They have a Pig’s Barn in their farm. I am a Muslim and I cannot eat Pork but looking and supervising how they taking a good care of animal make me so proud and I need to bring this back to Malaysia about the importance of taking care a Wildlife. Emma and Morgan share with me something good and exciting about AI(Artificial Insemination). AI is the medical or veterinary procedure of injecting the semen into vagina or uterus in female animal. Both of them doing this AI into their Pigs. It produces a veary healthy and active piglets. The way they use this type is by taking a semen and put into the vagina of the female pigs using a straw.

If you can see there is 14 points of piglets get milk from their mother. The front one will be the best one to produce the milk. That why, piglet who have their place at front will get more stronger and active. Morgan and Emma said that when the piglets stay in their mom Uterus, the heat inside it is around 100 Fahrenheit, because of that once the piglets got birth, they make a new lamp of heat to make the piglets comfortable with the temperature outside. The pigs eat the mixing of crush corn and soy bean.

 

One things that I can learn from this observation is we as a human need to take a very good care of animal on earth. I love to see this SAE projects because it teach and guide students to be more concern and care about animal wildlife. Before I end my experienced blog this week, I would to say

‘HAPPY NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY’

 

 

 

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching

Montague High School

USA

Kick Off

‘Families are the compasses that guide us, they are the inspirations to get reach heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter’ 

With all of blessing from my god ,

Im departed from Malaysia to United States on March 1st 2019. Im flying with KLM Airlines … hahah … there are my parents, my supervisor and my friends send me at the airport .. im very happy and sad to depart from …. I dont know why because it is my first time maybe going far from my family and friend instead of going on a vacation like always … so my family, my supervisor and my bestfriends (Syed Ahmad Syamil) who sent me to the airport .. thank you guys !

 

I have got my layover at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for 5 hours, before departing for the next flight to Ohare, Chicago … It took 8 hours flight with KLM Airlines. Im arrived at Chicago at 2.30 PM EST. My assistant teacher who is Mr. Letot aka Carson Letot pick me up from the airport to his house where im staying for this whole school teaching.. 🙂

 

Mr. Letot come and pick me up

Finally after 28 hours journey 🙂

After 4 hours driving from Chicago, we all arrived at North Muskegon where I am actually will be staying for 2 months … the next day, we went to Meijier bought groceries, its kinda same with Malaysia store actually the Meijier but how to pay is very different, we in Malaysia still doesnt have the auto pay machines hahaha … on March 4th, I went to my school teaching practice which is Montague Public Area High School,. First impression compared to Malaysia the school is very nice with the cold weather outside and most of the students and teacher wearing jacket inside class were very awesome! .. they also have lockers thats can fit all of students stuff, it make me astonished and excited to watch that, I haved only watching the movies as in High School Musical, Camp Rock ahaah and lots more . but now I have experienced it in real life … Thank god give me the chance :). On behalf of my dean, my faculty I have also give a token of appreciation to Mr. Principal at Montague Area Public High School … He is very nice though 🙂

 

 

Mr. Principal of Montague Public High School.

Not to be forget, I were going to Michigan FFA Convention at 6-8th March at Michigan State University. its very very awesome … I would give 60 for awesome and 40 for tired because im still jetlag .. HAHAHAHA! . this FFA Conventon was very awesome because it gave me a lot of motivational stuff, i love how their organization insert quotes that bring inspirational to the club members there.. what I adore from this quote is ‘ Be a reason for someone smiling ‘ … I would be always remember this quote forever ! I love it ….

my students got a lots of award from the competition that being held as instance Public Speaker, Agriculture Issues, Conduct Meeeting and Demonstration ! … Goodjob guys … oh one more things, also be my experienced to  be the only one teacher who will be take care the students inside the bus along the way from school to MSU. During my stay in MSU, I have also going tour in East Lansing with my friends from Malaysia who is MSU’s students here !

 

 

 

 

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching

Montague HIgh School

USA

 

Challenging Yourself

‘Keep challenging yourself to do better and better everyday’

So last December I got an invitation from Montague High School from Carson Letot collaboration with Penssylvalnia State University under supervision of Dr. Daniel Foster to come to USA for having my half of teaching practicum there. I were very glad to accept this invitation .. thanks god 🙂 im so excited to read the letter from USA when I got that emailed …. So after I got a very funny and interesting discussion throughout all of my family, they gave green light for me … im so happy to hear that !

this is the invitation letter that I got!

So after have been discussing with my very well excellent academic advisor, my Dr. Nur Husna bt Abd Wahid, we start our kick off on early January … thnaks god we settle everything around February a month before I go …. Dr. Husna has give her full effort to make this programme done .. very pleasure to know her! she has helped me a lot settle the documents, settle the account summary of expenditures here and also the visa processing … thanks my dear Dr. Husna!

After success the process of making the visa with Dr. Husna  :*

After everything was done … yeay ! its come to last preparations packing … ahahahah … so everything went well … even it is very rushing here and there managing this plus teaching practicum in Malaysia, i still hold my spirits to make this done!

Lastly, I would like to say thank you to all of any people who are very hardworking and helpful for making this internship happen! There are all of the list that I remember whom very helpful for this program …

1. Deputy Vice Chancellor UTM , Prof Durrishah Idrus
2. Lecturer at Penssyvalnia State University, Dr. Daniel Foster & Dr. Melanir
3. My supervisor lecturer at University Technology Malaysia, Dr Nur Husna
4. My agriscience teacher, Mr. Letot and Ms. Feurstein
5. Montague Public High School
6. My Dean faculty, Dr Sukri
7. My lectures
8. My family
9. My classmates
10. All of my friends

my deputy vice chancellor, UTM ( Profesor Durrishah Idrus )

Ended my pre departure post here, I would love to say once again a very very very big thank you to everyone who helping me a lot to make this program happen! … there is no other such things that I could pay back instead of taking and having this experience very very very well and apply it to my life in future!

 

 

 

 

 

Syed Ahmad Huzaimi

Student Teaching 

Montague High School 

USA