Give a teacher a quiz team and general knowledge becomes personal. An unfamiliar landmark? Practice material. Somewhere along the way, my brain opened an unpaid question-writing department. It does not take holidays.
My three-year journey as a BISC Quiz facilitator has been equally educational.
In the first year, I selected students and organised practice, learning to recognise a quizzer’s spark: knowledge, speed and spontaneity. We did not clear the regionals. I had assigned everyone practice; the result assigned me reflection.
Year two, I returned with better judgement, experienced competitors and stronger preparation. We won the regionals and reached the nationals! My enthusiasm became increasingly difficult to supervise.
This year, we returned confident. In the final round, the students knew the answers, but opportunities to respond slipped past us. We are still reviewing what happened.
Meanwhile, I discovered that a facilitator can sit perfectly still and require a lie-down afterwards. Silently answering, watching the score and negotiating with your heartbeat is surprisingly strenuous.
Yet our progress was clear: knowledgeable students, competition experience and growing confidence. Participation makes that growth visible. It also gives our next practice session a purpose.
We will include timed simulations, rehearse regrouping and let students help shape the plan. The buzzer is invited. Attendance compulsory.
I am proud to have grown alongside my students. To my team: your curiosity, confidence and willingness to embrace challenges give me plenty to celebrate. Recognise your progress as clearly as I do. You keep me learning, although you could occasionally let me finish a question before answering it.
We return to BISC Quiz next year with experience, energy and a clear goal: to win.
My question-writing department is already back at work. I suspect my students will ask, “Is that all?” before I have finished printing.
Written By:
Ms. Sumaira Shahjahan
Instructional Coach – SST Teacher Middle School