I read a few articles today, telling how a teacher should be. One of the writer's words remind me of what my friend told me once, "Until now I still remember that there was once my primary teacher said that I was stupid and I really believed that I was..." At that time, I was just silent ( if I am not mistaken, coz it was more than 10 years ago... can't really remember how I had responded him on the phone ). Well, different people different opinions. As for myself, I am not sure would you think that I am an alien after what I am going to tell you here. I remember there was a primary teacher, Mrs Chin. She was very strict to us ( the whole class ), and could be very fierce sometimes when we never did homework or behaved like a hooligan, lolz. ( I suppose 'hooligan' is banned now, that single word might send a teacher to jail in today's teaching world, lol ) In spite of her fierceness in some occasions, my classmates and I did like her very much. She taught us for two years consequently ( Standard 5 and 6 ). We could understand everything she taught us and in our heart, we naturally understood why she was so fierce to us sometimes and why she scolded the word, "HOOLIGANS" to us ( of course, we made noise and a terrible one ! We just knew that we did something wrong in the class, we naturally understood that. There was never a moment we thought bad of her, strange...right? : ) And, the most importantly, our natural understanding of the teacher's good intention never ever be confused by other factors - I mean the school environment that I was experiencing 25 years ago, it was so pure and every teacher's heart was just for teaching and telling us how to be a good person and behave well - which shouldn't be compared to today's school environment that is complicated by many factors - again, my very personal opinion ).
Despite being scolded 'hooligans', my friends and I never failed to give her a box of tissue paper nicely wrapped with present paper every Teacher's Day. Do you know why my friend and I decided to give tissue paper and not roses or carnations? To be frank, reason 1: She always used a piece of tissue paper to wrap around the chalk before writing on the green board ( to protect her hands ). Reason 2 : It was more practical to buy something she could use and the last reason , we were a bit 'kiam sup' ( stingy ) I think - a box of tissue paper costed about RM1.20-RM2.20, well.. it was not really luxurious but to be frank it was still more expensive than a stalk of carnation which was just about 80 cents to RM1, so come to the end, we were not really stingy la... ). Still remember that, when I was in Form 1, I went back to primary school early in the morning just to pass her a Chinese New Year card ( our primary and secondary were built side by side ), and... of course, she was so happy. Em..., that was the last time I saw her :) From what I heard, she retired a few years later.
To be very honest, if one day a teacher really scolds my child for not completing his homework or never behaves well in school ( what I mean is, scold with selective words that come with a good intention ), I would be very thankful to this teacher. Really I will... Anyhow, I do understand not everyone will agree as I have friends who would never lay a hand on their children as they wish that their children can grow up in an environment with 0% violence ( not even 0.001% , haha ) and certainly would not want them to be scolded in school. Em...it would be too ideal to think that every child is being brought up the same ( in such a perfect way ). Don't forget that, parents do play an important role here, parents from different social background with different expectations produce different products. There are even some out there saying X%$#@ like having daily lunch. There are parents who allow their own children ( under 18 ) to smoke. It is not surprising that some highly educated and sophisticated parents are thinking to try home schooling for their child :) Well, again, it is a matter of one's very own choice.
Here, I would like to wish all the teachers, 'Happy Teachers' Day' especially to those who truly have the hearts to teach pupils not just to be excel but also to be someone who always learn to be better, to be a good and sincere person that comes with one's own conscience either in doing things or making a choice regardless of religion and race. And, lastly 'Happy Mother's Day' !
