For this edition of Educhat, we have Frecylla May Gidor. She is currently pursuing her Master’s studies as a full-time student at UMS under the KPM Scholarship (CBBP(TB)). Prior to this, she was posted to SK Gabungan, Telupid in 2015 and transferred to SK Mengkabong, Tuaran in 2022. Her passion lies in engaging in hands-on activities, specifically arts and crafts, to develop language skills among young learners in ESL classrooms. She is also deeply interested in the integration of gamification into her teaching and learning activities, as well as the adoption of a digitalization approach in education.

She has successfully utilized these strategies to make her English class more enjoyable and impactful, especially for pupils in rural areas who have little exposure to the English language, challenging family backgrounds, and limited learning resources. Despite these hurdles, they have improved drastically under her guidance.

Let’s read about what makes her an Edufluencer!

1. Congratulations on your selection as an Edufluencer! Can you tell us about the moment you found out, and what this recognition means to you and your educational journey?

Thank you! At first, I didn’t expect to be selected because I sent the resume at the very last minute, but thankfully I am now part of the Edufluencer family. THANK YOU PADU & KPM for this recognition. For me, this is another milestone in my teaching journey because it creates a positive circle and inspiring network of educators which indirectly helps me to consistently keep the momentum in teaching.

2. Could you discuss a particular teaching technique or method that you’ve shared as an Edufluencer, which garnered significant interest from your audience? How did you discover or develop this approach?

I really love to do hands-on activities in my class as it creates a first-hand experience among the pupils which could benefit them in many ways as they are still young (primary school). Thus, I always work on making craft projects with my pupils during English class. These activities not only encourage the pupils to be creative and innovative but also provide room for them to think critically. At the end of the day, they have the products (crafts) to be showcased and shared among their friends which gives them a sense of pride! Usually, I will also take pictures of their products and share them on the FB page (English and Arts) for other teachers to refer to.

3. With a growing number of educators turning to online platforms, what unique aspect do you believe you bring to the Edufluencer community that sets you apart from others?

Honestly speaking, I am not very active on social media. I shared my T-L activities when I had the time to do so. Perhaps, it may be because of how I approach my pupils; I believe that we teachers need to establish the relationship first before working on the academic part of the pupils. We need to accept the pupils wholly as they are and treat them equally, slowly it will engage them in learning. I also always try my best to establish a systematic planning in my teaching which also indirectly motivates my colleagues to work on their teaching routine too. Being an Edufluencer is not defined by the number of followers on social media, but it is the little consistent everyday habits that create positive ripples (influence) for everyone around.

4. Being an Edufluencer often involves engaging with a diverse audience. How do you ensure your content remains inclusive and caters to the varying needs and backgrounds of your followers?

I have a page on Facebook just for educational purposes: English & Arts. I only post content related to my English lesson on this page to be shared with all the followers. So far, I received many positive feedbacks especially from other educators though I am not actively posting. Yet, I believe we need to always be mindful before posting something on social media; make sure the content shared is beneficial and impactful for everyone.

5. Collaborations can amplify your impact. Have there been instances where you collaborated with other Edufluencers or educational organizations to create something innovative or impactful?

Last July, we had the ‘Jom Borak Santai’ with the Sabahan Edufluencer which aims to encourage all educators to be a part of the Edufluencer community. It was a great collaboration as it provided clearer insights for everyone on the role of Edufluencer.

6. Beyond social media, how do you envision further using your Edufluencer platform to drive positive change and innovation within the education field?

It is my hope that this platform will provide me more opportunities to network with other educators through educational programs that could inspire teachers to keep their momentum and passion in their teaching careers. When teachers are well taken care of, they will bring out the best in every child; which in the long run is the greatest asset of our country. I hope I can play my part in making this a reality someday!