christopherism 1:7

"Once a teacher, always a teacher" - Professional Development Week 3 (christopherism 1:7)

This quotation has made me think about how the teaching professional is innate and that somehow teachers are born, not made. At least that's what I believe...

Many do not know about this, but I knew I was going to be a teacher since year 6 primary, ever since I made my English teacher Mrs Hong cry in front of the class. I was her favorite student, her 'walking dictionary'. However, being on top of her class has made me a mischievous and arrogant little brat. So what happened then.... I was just playing with my ruler and it fell off my desk to the front of the class, twice. She had to stop her lesson to pick it up and scold me both times. Then, on the third time, my ruler snapped! and so did she... There she was crying in the corner of the class... and this guilt that took over me was so intense and vividly haunting. It was experiences such as this that have made me  become more attentive and observant towards all my English teachers - from the little things that they say and do in the classroom and how they are with students out of the classroom.

After secondary schooling, all my close friends were all busy applying for matrix, or scholarships in engineering, medicine, accounting and more engineering! I never bothered. I just applied for teaching after I received my SPM results and with the grace of God, I'm now where I am today. I believed this was my calling and have never looked back on the 'what-ifs', or regretted arguing with my Dad who wanted me to do business. Similarly, I will not change this path destined for me and will continue to be a teacher till the day I die. 'Once a teacher, always a teacher'...

Amen.