When I was younger, my mother always told me that teaching is a very “wei3 da4″ profession as teachers impart knowledge to the nxt generation. She probably talked to me about that about 5 times at least. Despite it being just casual conversation, I somehow knew I would also like to teach when I grow up.
I started my first private tuition session even before i turned 19. I suddenly had two students under my wing. They were siblings from Taiwan, the girl was then P4 and the boy was P2. They had a young, stay-at-home mom, while their dad works in Taiwan & is seldom back. I was to tutor them in 3 subjects, English, Maths & Science.
The girl was in one of the top girls’ school, and she was very bright. Sometimes, I did find her alittle complacent and extremely competitive because she knew she was smart. So apart from coaching her academically, I had to often remind her that some other children are not doing so well in school because of poor learning environment and perhaps lack of opportunities. I also told her the need to be modest, as now in primary school, she may be “a big fish in a small pond”, & in secondary school she will become “a small fish in a medium pond”, but when she goes to a top JC, she may end up being “an ikan bilis in an ocean”!! I told her all these not to scare or put her down, but I just wanted her to be aware of the many others around her, and to prepare herself for greater challenges ahead.
Overall, the siblings were great to teach, though on rare occasions they did ‘gang up’ & ‘bullied’ me when their mom was not around. A couple of years passed in the blink of an eye and I realise I had become more than just-a-private-tutor to them. They considered me as part of the family. I went out shopping with their mom, we ate out together, and i brought the kids to the movies during the holidays.
Last year, was the girl’s P6 year, and I was privileged to be the one that was guiding her through this journey. On the day prelims results were released, she excitedly messaged me to tell me she had A* for all four subjects & also came in 3rd in standard.
I messaged back, “great! hope u’re happy with it, i’ll buy u a small gift the nxt lesson!”
I was pleasantly surprised, when she replied, “no need, the reward is the joy within me.”
It was extremely fulfilling & satisfying to see how a little girl blossomed from a little p4 girl to a fine young lady, improving academically as well as growing as a person. She went on to get four A*s again for PSLE and is currently in NYGH.
Although I am no longer teaching her now, I am still coaching her brother who is in P5, & im looking forward to seeing him also grow along with me.
22/02/2009 at 8:10 am Permalink
Magical indeed. That’s the beauty of coaching with your heart! I believe you will find more great stories along the road. That’s why we are in coaching line. Going beyond just academic… Keep the spirit!!!