My grandparents showed me what it looks like for two people to be married for a long time.

Mr Wong taught me that a skillful driver is one who can side park a car with tremendous ease. He did this by leaving me alone in an open space and letting me figure it all out by myself. He handed me the car keys, asked me to move into the driver’s seat and said that I only get to drive the car when I can park it in a box marked by four sticks cemented into milk powder tins – this was in the first lesson!   

Dr Zain showed me eloquence.  He died last year of a stroke.  I always think of him when I’m preparing my speeches, and sometimes I hear his voice when my fingers are on the keyboard and I’m waxing lyrical – sometimes his voice seems to come out of my mouth. 

Prof Mahmood taught Drama - arguably the best class I ever took.  I got to learn how to be someone else, which, depending on how you yourself are doing on a particular day, is a nice ability to have. 

Jeffrey Archer taught me that simple words can be used to form elegant images. 

Prof Cherington made me grow up into an academic, and he showed me that something I had stirring around in my head might be important to a bigger community.  He may have known that before I did, so it was good that he was around to not only drain entire red ball point pens on my dissertation drafts, but also to make occasional comments like, “ooh, very nice.” 

Yih Ting, my 4-year old Junior English student made me realise that the world of children is one of vivid imagination, pure creativity, and boundless energy. As a teacher of English, I have an open invitation to enter that world with the gift of a new language. I learnt that with practical tools such as thematic lessons, patterned chants and playful songs, as well as activities that encourage cooperation, I should endeavour to offer my students a joyful and memorable experience every time they enter my classroom.

Daniel and Andrew, my boys showed my that cockroaches are just smelly and dirty, they are not deadly and I should not be afraid of them for they each longed to keep one as a pet and had this strange desire to name them “Siew Kheong”.

The greatest teacher I have ever known is my Mom.  I have seen her engage my boys and make them think and make them excited about the Chinese folklore “The Journey to the West”.  I never knew that this was possible.  She had a bad fall last summer and is therefore on indefinite medical leave but my home is filled with her wisdom such as “We wear our nice clothes when we have visitors” and “We must finish whatever food is on our plate or we won’t be clever.” I can’t imagine more learningful and profound words.  Most importantly, she has taught me a great deal about how to listen, how to express myself, and how to be a Mom.

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