Student to a Teacher

Being a student for almost my whole life now, I looked back and realized how much each teacher has put efforts in investing young lives.

Some are more prominent, while some are more subtle. Some spend a great deal of time preparing to face a bunch of rascals in class who have tricks up their sleeves at all times. Some care so much and yet some care less. Some are strict that rascals fear the punishment that followed after. Some are gentle and loved. Some have the charisma to teach that the subject becomes the favourite. Some are passionate. Some share their passion, hope and dream with us. Some finds many ways and alternatives with an aim that we grow the interest in our studies, in books and in life. You teach us to grow a deep hunger for knowledge and practicality. You teach us to dream big and aim for the stars. You took up this offer of job with a virtuous passion of investing life of younger ones.

Our class is known as the most notorious good kids in school because we were the first class in the form (that was supposed to be the “EXAMPLE” for the younger ones). Our actions towards people do not measured up. But, we are still very serious with our studies. We pushed each other to do better for our examinations. We are the smart kids who thought we knew-it-all and teachers are just teaching from a textbook. We forgot they have even more to offer that sometimes we just brushed it off (We do still listened at times). There are some teachers that we love still. They are the ones who have the charisma or the passion to teach although we do not listen. They are the ones who believed us even other teachers have given up on us. There were rumors going about, we were one of the WORST class. We are proud of it.

This is us.

Being young, mischievous and naïve, my classmates and I from primary to high school gave most of my teachers a difficult time. We challenged our teachers, gave them headaches, talked back with no respect, talked behind their backs, questioned their authority and yet there are days we bring them joy.

We scared you. Some of us fought and you stood in between to settle the dispute. You could have ignored us and let us grow in however we wished. You could have walked away but you chose to stay.

I couldn’t count the amount of wrongs we have done that now I looked back I am not proud of it. Remembering the few that were done and words uttered foolishly, I wondered how you have felt when the words were thrown at your face in front of my peers. Two responses always happened. One, you scolded me right at my face and even asked me to walk out of class. Second, you chose the higher road of accepting the actions and words. You swallowed it done and composed yourself. Cikgu, it wasn’t easy for either one of the responses. You are still human, an emotional being. I knew if I was the teacher, I would have……..

But, every time you take on the spotlight of the class, there is only ONE HOPE that in the many of 40s students looking at you that can’t wait for the bell to ring (either for recess or after school), you hope to see each of us being successful in our future undertakings.  

Thank you for disciplining us. It ain’t an easy to subscribe to the job, knowing that you have children at home as well to teach. Thank you for believing in us when we don’t believe in you at all. Thank you for sharing your care, love and dreams for us. Thank you for your encouragements. Thank you for giving so much more than you should. Thank you for not asking more but only to acknowledge you when we see you at the pasar malam.

Personally, this is from me.

by Mrs. Surenderjit Kaur - Headmistress SMKS 24

Finally, at this age, I began to see how much you have invested. It was a process for me to grow this way. Thank you for bearing with me and nurturing me when our path crossed. It all begins with a small hope. And you are part of it! Today, I cherished the memory of you and thanked God for your labor of love in my life. May God bless you in all that you put your hands to do wherever you are!

Thank you, Cikgu!