Get To Know Me
My Background
I view myself as a passionate, dedicated, and compassionate educator since as long as I can remember. I knew that I was destined to be an educator since I was small, starting my passion with my siblings back when I was in primary school. I often role play as a teacher to my younger sisters and brothers in make belief classroom settings. Fast forward, here I am, as an educator and so much more, currently affiliated with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, as one of its pioneer staff since 1997 in the Department of Physics.
Academic Experiences
My studies
PhD. (Physics Education), Victoria University of Manchester, UK
2000 - 2004
Victoria University of Manchester is one of the prestigious universities in the UK that was founded in 1851. It merged with University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 2004. I enjoyed my time tremendously pursuing my doctorate degree at the university. I remember taking advantage of the physics undergraduate classes to sit in during the lectures to deepen my understanding of physics especially in the area of quantum physics.
MSc. (Physics), University of Missouri at Kansas City, USA
1985 - 1987
The University of Missouri–Kansas City is a public research university in Kansas City, Missouri. I was privileged enough to be appointed as a teaching assistant in the Department of Physics upon the commencement of my study there. It lasted for three semesters.
BSc. (Physics). Kansas State University, USA
1980 - 1984
Kansas State University is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863. It is the only research university in the country to have three national CASE/Carnegie professors of the year. All three professors are active teachers according to QS topuniversities.com. I enjoyed studying Physics in the university as the curriculum allows students to take up liberal arts courses that help me be a well rounded individual. I was also appointed as a research assistant in the area of material science towards the end of my study.
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Physics/Science Education), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MALAYSIA
1988 - 1989
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is a premier Malaysian public research-intensive university ranked 187th in the world by QS University rankings in 2020. It specialises in engineering, science and technology. Here, I was formally exposed to the teaching practices and went on to graduate with flying colours.
Work Experiences
My work places and career
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
1997 - now
I joined UPSI in September, 1997 as a lecturer. Along with my husband, both of us were the pioneer physics lecturers and helped develop the early Science Education Programme and later the Physics Education Programme when the Department of Physics was set up. I was promoted to my current position as Associate Professor in 2012. I held several administrative posts such as HoD (2008), Director of Pedagogy Research Centre (2011-2012), and Director of UPSI Education Research Laboratory (2013-2015).
SMK Paya Besar, Kuantan
1989 - 1997
I was first posted as a teacher in SMK Paya Besar in Kuantan, Malaysia. This was where I taught secondary school students Physics and Science. After five years, I was appointed as the Senior Assistant Co-Curriculum Teacher. I loyally stayed there for eight years before I joined UPSI in September 1997.
MARA Science College, Kuantan
1988
I was appointed as a temporary lecturer in MARA Science College after I finished my Diploma In Education and before I was posted to school in 1989 to gain teaching experience while supporting the livelihood of my family of four.
University of Missouri at Kansas City, USA
1985-1986
Upon joining UMKC for my Masters degree, I was appointed as a Teaching Assistant, mostly facilitating laboratory classes for Physics undergraduate students.
My Skillset
Competency
Trainer and Facilitator
Advanced
I have conducted hundreds of workshops and courses on active teaching and learning methods, teaching thinking, & reflective practices, both nationally and internationally. I approach training as highly interactive sessions and thus conducted my sessions with lots of hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-on activities.