ACJC teachers share their thoughts on their vocation

“This is the value of the teacher, who looks at a face and says there’s something behind that and I want to reach that person, I want to influence that person, I want to encourage that person, I want to enrich, I want to call out that person who is behind that face, behind that colour, behind that language, behind that tradition, behind that culture.” – Maya Angelou

This Teachers’ Day, meet some who responded to this call. Ms Jazlyn Chua is in her third year of service, Mr Wong Wee Meng has taught for 8 years and Mrs Tan Yit Khuen started teaching in 1977.

Why did you become a teacher?
Ms Chua: It is a calling. I wanted to be someone who would be in a position of influence to instill the right values and to inspire hope in life and love for learning. I was also extremely privileged to be taught by many amazing teachers who truly went the extra mile for me and inspired me to do the same for my own students.

Mr Wong: I am an engineer by profession and helped to run an engineering firm before I joined the teaching profession. The engineering job was challenging and the key performing indicator was the bottom line. It was tough to answer questions like where the new business would be coming from and what the contract value was. It was a lot about selling and competitive positioning. So, when the opportunity came, after eight years in this job, it was exactly what I wanted to do in terms of finding meaning in work, which means for me, less about how much I earned but more about what I do.

Mrs Tan: I did not want a desk bound job and I enjoy being with people, especially young people. And I personally feel that education is very important to the young and would like to play a part in their development. After my IE (Institute of Education) course, I was posted to ACJC. As a Christian, I am happy to teach in a mission school as I think teaching is not just a job but a vocation to serve God and men. Teaching is my response to God’s calling.

What personal strengths do you find especially helpful in your teaching?
Mr Wong: Many years of working in the private sector in different jobs had given me a broad perspective of work life and I can better share with students what the life skills expected of them are. In particular, I can help students relate and link what is learnt in class to real-world practice.

Mrs Tan: People skills. I think I have the ability to deal with, to influence, and to communicate effectively with students. Teachers have the interest of their students at heart and the care and concern that we have for the students have to be conveyed through people skills at all times.

What do you hope to achieve by being a teacher?
Ms Chua: I hope to instil the right values and attitudes and to nurture good characters with a heart for the community. Education isn’t merely about filling up a knowledge reservoir. What we have learnt should be used to make a difference to the society we live in. I hope that my students will use knowledge to enrich others and bless the community.

What do you want students to remember about your class?
Ms Chua: #lifelessonswithMsChua. I hope my students do not just remember me as a teacher who taught them Economics but a teacher who spoke about life and prepared them for life.

Mr Wong: Students have written on cards that I am a patient teacher who makes Physics lessons interesting. These may be just nice words written for me during Teachers’ Day but it would certainly be very heart-warming if I can be remembered this way.

What is the best part about your job?
Mrs Tan: The most heartening experience involves the students. I can have genuine, sincere and warm interaction with them. As their teacher, I find that they trust me and I can guide them in their study. I also have understanding, helpful and cooperative colleagues. I would like to thank them and all the Principals I worked with. 40 years ago, I thought that ACJC is a good school. Now after 40 years, I think that ACJC is the best school for me! I thank God for the 40 years that I have been with ACJC. These years have made my life so much more meaningful.

Mrs Tan’s sentiments are shared by Ms Chua and Mr Wong.