After-sales Service

Today is Teachers' Day. Today, we celebrate the people who make a few (too) many sacrifices in different ways to make it possible for their students to exhibit their most brilliant facet.

So, what is it that makes me enjoy being a teacher? Well, I love the part that I am a direct influence to students under my wing. I love being their potter so that I can mould them into pieces of useful pottery. I love sharing my two cents worth (ahem, would anyone like to up that value? Hahaha...) with them about life and the world, and seeing their nods and that they're actually thinking through what you just said. I love hearing them whisper "I'm sorry" after they finally realise they shouldn't have done what they did or "Thank You" after they see light to a knotty issue that has troubled them for the longest time. I love it when they understand what it means to 用心讲话 (speaking from the heart is something I strongly believe in). I love the way they understand me the way no one else does when I tell them the weather forecast that day was gloomy and threatening to rain without me having to even explain the metaphor. I love the part where they actually 'fess up about their vice(s) and that they'll quit before I even frowned.

Contrary to the norm, no, teaching is not just another job. Teaching is not about producing only A-students. Neither is it about maintaining an MSG of 1.0 throughout the year so that the school ranking will be sustained or raised. Teaching is about touching lives, touching the lives of students. It is not just about explaining why when an event has passed, one has to use the past tense, or just about identifying the locations of the five oceans on the world map. Teaching is about spending sufficient time with every kid in your care so that they'll shine in their own ways.

Teaching is not about having instant gratification. It comes with an after-sales service. You see, even after your students have long graduated and gone on to another institution, they'll come back to you for advice, regardless of the number of years that have passed since you last taught them. Maybe it doesn't make sense to you but it does a lot to me. You see, they'll still come back for your two cents worth, now that must mean something, doesn't it? You can never imagine the sense of fulfillment and contentment you get when you see the twinkle in their eyes when they realise they've found the answer to an issue or a dilemma. I've not reached the age where my students will invite me to their wedding yet, but sometimes I do ask myself if they'll still remember me by then, but who knows? Maybe they will.

Let me end with this sms I'd gotten at 1.01am today: Miss Yeow!!! Thanks for everything. The drinks, the gifts and the words of advice. U are such a wonderful teacher cum friend cum sister. Glad to know u. Ya. Hmm, now is 1st Sept, so wishing a happy teachers day. Although u are not one now, hehe 一日为师，终身为母..Miss Yeow, I love you. 真心话. - Ng Shuting, 18, TP Year 2 student (I was her Sec 2 FT in 2003).

Enough said.