👣 My Professional Journey to Become a Guru Cemerlang (English)
🌟 A Little Context...
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be a teacher, but somewhere along the way, I found myself deeply connected to the classroom. And now that I’m here, I know I don’t want to just “stay in the system.” I want to grow, question, and contribute meaningfully.
Becoming a Guru Cemerlang in English isn’t just a goal on paper. To me, it’s a long-term journey of pushing myself to be better, not for titles, but because I want to be the kind of teacher I once looked up to.
This blog post is my personal roadmap. It’s how I see myself evolving as a teacher, step by step, lesson by lesson.
🟢 Phase 1: Foundation Stage (Year 1–2)
🔹 SGM Level: SGM 1.0 – Beginning Teacher (DG9, fresh graduate from IPG)
🎯 Focus: Establish professionalism, classroom management, and begin reflective CPD
✅ CPD Commitments:
Register and complete Induction Programme for New Teachers
Finish selected CPD e-modules via DELIMa (focus: 21st Century Skills, CEFR-aligned instruction)
Begin a personal CPD logbook to track reflections and actions
💡 My Self-Initiatives:
As part of my early professional growth, I’m taking small but intentional steps beyond formal CPD. I make it a point to volunteer in school activities that involve English language use, not only does this allow me to connect with students outside the classroom, but it also helps me build confidence in using English in authentic contexts. Every week, I dedicate time to reflect on my lessons, identifying what worked and what could be improved. This simple habit helps me understand my students better and make informed changes to my teaching. I also observe experienced teachers whenever possible, taking notes on their strategies, classroom routines, and how they manage student engagement. These observations provide me with practical ideas I can adapt and refine in my own classroom, while gradually preparing me to one day support others in return.
🧩 CPD Link:
Domain 1 – Orientasi Ilmu (commitment to professional growth and ethics)
Domain 2 – Instruksional (beginning competence in teaching and classroom routines)
🟢 Phase 2: Growth & Consolidation (Year 3–5)
🔹 SGM Level: SGM 2.0 – Competent Teacher (DG9 → DG10, upon time-based promotion, min. 3 years with minimum SKT 85%)
🎯 Focus: Deepen pedagogical skills, collaborate with peers, begin postgraduate study
✅ CPD Commitments:
Enrol in a Part-Time Master’s in TESL or ELT (while teaching, 2–3 years, UKM)
Participate in school-based or online CPD workshops (MELTA Webinars)
Contribute to a teaching portfolio using lesson plans, reflections, and student work
💡 My Self-Initiatives:
During this phase of growth, I aim to actively expand my professional network and deepen my practice through collaboration. I plan to work closely with peers to co-design teaching materials, which not only makes lesson planning more effective but also allows me to share ideas and try new approaches with the support of others. I’m also looking forward to joining a virtual English teacher learning community, such as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) focused on English language teaching. This kind of community provides ongoing exposure to new strategies, research, and real classroom stories, which keeps my teaching relevant and reflective. To further strengthen my reflective habits, I intend to submit short reflections on my teaching challenges to an internal school blog or newsletter. By writing about my classroom experiences, I can document my learning, invite constructive feedback, and contribute to a culture of open professional dialogue within my school.
🧩 CPD Link:
Domain 1 – Orientasi Ilmu (academic advancement, values-driven learning)
Domain 2 – Instruksional (refined teaching practices and collaborative instruction)
🟢 Phase 3: Specialisation & Contribution (Year 6–9)
🔹 SGM Level: SGM 3.0 – Proficient Teacher (DG12)
🎯 Focus: Begin to specialise, create resources, and guide others informally
✅ CPD Commitments:
Complete online short courses related to language teaching and classroom innovation
Develop and document a small-scale teaching innovation project
Begin preparing documentation for Guru Cemerlang application
💡 My Self-Initiatives:
As I begin to specialise in my teaching journey, I hope to give back by supporting others around me. One way I plan to do this is by informally mentoring a new teacher or practicum student, offering guidance based on what I’ve learned so far. This not only helps them settle into the profession but also encourages me to reflect more deeply on my own practices. I also intend to share practical classroom strategies during professional learning sessions with my colleagues. These exchanges are valuable for building a collaborative school culture where everyone benefits from each other’s strengths. At the same time, I’ll continue to maintain and refine my teaching e-portfolio, whether through Google Drive, a blog, or other platforms. This digital space will serve as a record of my growth, innovations, and impact, an essential part of my preparation for the Guru Cemerlang application in the future.
🧩 CPD Link:
- Domain 2 – Instruksional (innovation in pedagogy)
Domain 3 – Pelibatan Komuniti (collaboration and informal mentoring)
Domain 4 – Kualiti Peribadi (independent growth, leadership tendencies)
🟢 Phase 4: Application & Recognition (Year 10–11)
🔹 SGM Level: SGM 4.0 – Excellent Teacher (DG12 / DG13, if promoted OR via GC fast-track)
🎯 Focus: Finalise GC portfolio and submit application
✅ CPD Commitments:
Compile and polish GC portfolio, including:
Three recorded lesson videos
Innovation documentation
Evidence of CPD progress and student achievement impact
Attend portfolio preparation sessions (online or offered by CPD providers)
💡 My Self-Initiatives:
At this stage, my focus shifts toward refining my work and preparing for recognition as a Guru Cemerlang. To ensure my teaching portfolio truly reflects my growth and impact, I plan to initiate feedback sessions with trusted colleagues, allowing me to receive constructive input and strengthen my documentation. I’ll also reflect more systematically on my teaching by comparing pre- and post-lesson evidence, such as student work or lesson outcomes, to better understand how my strategies affect learning. To stay organised and focused, I’m creating a personal checklist based on the Guru Cemerlang application rubrics. This checklist will guide my preparation, helping me identify which areas I’ve already developed and which still need attention as I work toward this next professional milestone.
🧩 CPD Link:
Domain 1 – Orientasi Ilmu (CPD and values-based professionalism)
Domain 2 – Instruksional (advanced teaching practices)
Domain 3 – Pelibatan Komuniti (peer input, school-wide sharing)
Domain 4 – Kualiti Peribadi (self-leadership and reflection)
🟢 Phase 5: Lifelong Growth & Role Modelling (Year 12 onwards)
🔹 SGM Level: SGM 5.0 – Role Model Educator (DG14 → DG15, if progressing as GC or via promotion)
🎯 Focus: Continue learning, guide others, and stay updated
✅ CPD Commitments:
Stay active in online PLCs (Professional Learning Communities)
- Enrol in a part-time PhD in TESL or English Language Education at a local university (UKM or UPSI)
Share practices regularly through writing or online platforms (e.g: YouTube Videos)
💡 My Self-Initiatives:
As I continue growing beyond the Guru Cemerlang milestone, my commitment shifts toward uplifting others and sustaining lifelong learning. I hope to offer support to fellow teachers preparing for GC or exploring other professional pathways, sharing insights and encouragement based on my own experiences. Each year, I will pause to reflect on my journey, celebrating growth while revisiting and updating my career goals to stay aligned with my evolving values and aspirations. To keep my passion alive, I plan to stay actively engaged through reading, trying out new strategies in class, and sharing ideas, whether in conversations, blogs, or learning communities. This phase is about staying grounded, inspired, and giving back.
🧩 CPD Link:
Domain 1 – Orientasi Ilmu (lifelong learning)
Domain 3 – Pelibatan Komuniti (empowering others)
Domain 4 – Kualiti Peribadi (growth mindset, sustained passion)
✨ Final Thought
This isn’t just a career plan, it’s a commitment to continuous growth. I believe that a quality teacher is never truly finished learning. With each step, I want to strengthen not just my skills, but also my values as an educator. Through reflective practice, lifelong learning, and meaningful contribution, I hope to become the kind of teacher who inspires others by example 🌿
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