My teacher, my guiding light

When Mrs Koh-Teh Yi Wen was a student, a teacher inspired her to follow in her footsteps. Today, Mrs Koh’s students at Fuchun Secondary School are her source of inspiration to continue to guide, nurture and cheer them on.

I remember my Guider (teacher-in-charge of Girl Guides), Ms Sally Wong, as kind, caring yet firm to her students. She was able to balance between being a disciplinarian and being our friend. She knew our strengths and developed us accordingly.

Ms Wong was also a dynamic teacher who could relate very well to her students. She was always cheerful and there was never a dull moment with her around. She gave me many opportunities to lead and learn from her and imparted many life values, which inspired and moulded me into who I am today.

My dream of following Ms Wong’s footsteps and becoming a teacher was not a “eureka” moment. Rather, this dream formed over the time spent with Ms Wong. The guidance she gave and the learning opportunities that she created for us made me realise she was someone whom I wanted to become when I grew up.

Thus, becoming a Guider like Ms Wong was a natural choice. I was a Brownie in primary school, a Girl Guide in secondary school and continued on to be a Young Adult in my university days. I knew that being part of the Girl Guides would allow one to develop character and life skills, just like how it had shaped me during my teenage years.

As an educator now, I believe that every child can learn and succeed, regardless of their starting point and the time needed. It takes a village to raise a child, so every parent and teachers should work together to develop values and the community provides learning opportunities beyond home and school for the child.

Being a Guider has allowed me to contribute to raising our younger generation, through developing a diversified curriculum, so that each Guide has the opportunity to develop herself. We have provided a large range of activities for the girls to organise and participate in, such as organising their own camp and service learning project, and taking part in outdoor challenges.

I am proud of the students who have grown to be confident and resilient leaders. Their positive attitudes have also translated to their good work attitude in their studies. The skills they have gained will nurture them to be useful and concerned citizens of our nation.

My students continue to be my source of inspiration to contribute more to the education system and to do my best for them.