More than just teachers
TAKING ON MANY ROLES IN STUDENTS’ LIVES
AMONG the first people that students grow up to admire are their teachers. It does not come as a surprise if they are lauded as heroes by students. These teachers are those who can be more than just educators. They go beyond teaching and managing the classroom. Teachers like these go on to be so influential in their students’ lives, ultimately changing them for the better.
For Fatin Nur Syahzanani Zakaria, 19, her teacher’s home was hers for two years from 2016 to 2017.
The former SMK Tumpat, Kelantan student was always close to her netball and English teacher, Wong Lieat Hiong. When her family moved to Negeri Sembilan and Wong offered to take her in, Fatin Nur Syahzanani was grateful.
“Madam Wong convinced me that she was doing the right thing and encouraged me to stay positive amidst people’s curious questions,” said Fatin Nur Syahzanani, a sixth former at SMK Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
“Neither of us has ever regarded our religious and racial differences as a problem.
“Madam Wong really understands me. I can be quite emotional sometimes and seclude myself whenever I am sad. But she always know how to cheer me up. I remember when I was disappointed with my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) history paper. She was there for me and Kenny Rogers Roasters made me feel better.”
Aside from their love for netball, Fatin Nur Syahzanani and her teacher share the same interest in horror films and travelling. “We just love spending time together and have travelled all over Peninsular Malaysia.”
What she admires the most about her teacher is how she treats her family and students.
“While I was staying at her house, I could see how she cared for her elderly parents. She always tried to put a smile on their faces and every year without fail, she brings them on a holiday. At school, everyone loves Madam Wong. Sometimes after netball training, she would treat us to a meal at a
restaurant nearby.”
To Fatin Nur Syahzanani, having such an amazing teacher in her life has been a blessing. “I would like to thank Madam Wong for always supporting me and giving me unconditional love. I will always remember her as long as I live.”
Last year, Fatin Nur Syahzanani nominated Madam Wong for Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s 2018 which saw the teacher winning RM5,000.
Esther Law Cong Jie, 18, is an alumnus of SJKC Keat Hwa, Alor Star in Kedah. The student, who scored 10As in SPM, believes that her former physics teacher Hazwani Kamis has played a major role in transforming her life.
“I used to have a prejudice against science subjects, but Cikgu Hazwani changed my outlook on them entirely,” said Law. The teacher who taught her physics in Forms Four and Five made her realise that science is fun and not dull as she once thought.
While preparing for SPM, the teacher’s motivation fuelled Law to study harder. “Cikgu Hazwani encouraged me to put in more effort in my weak subjects, history and additional mathematics. She believed in me even when I did not believe in myself,” said Law who eventually scored A+ and A respectively for the two subjects.
“She is a really inspiring teacher. Cikgu Hazwani always prepares notes with various types of mind maps so that students can understand the subject better.”
The girl from Pokok Sena, Kedah admires her teacher’s caring manner and dedication. “It is hard to find a teacher who is so concerned about her students that she notices when someone is not around. She even kept up with our individual learning progress from time to time.”
Law is grateful to her teacher who has helped her survive some hard times.
“When I faced some family problems, I went to her for advice and help. She was always there to lend me her ears. I appreciated this greatly because I was so helpless at that time, struggling alone inside. The time I spent talking to her gave mesomuchrelief.”
Law was also touched at how her teacher even cared for students who were considered unruly or problematic.
“She counselled them privately and spoke to them frequently to check on their mental health,” added Law who aims to read law at Universiti Malaya.
For SMK (P) Sri Aman student Aisyah Imansufiah Abd Rahim, 15, her homeroom and Islamic Studies teacher Arlina Ugusman is her motherly confidante.
“She is like a mother figure to the students which makes it easier for us to open up to her. I’ve never felt discouraged from sharing my problems with her. I can always count on Ustazah Arlina to hear me out,” said Aisyah Imansufiah, the youngest child in her family.
“Ustazah’s way of listening to our problems without judgement really inspires me a lot,” said Aisyah Imansufiah who aspires to be a child psychologist. “In our free time, my friends and I go to meet Ustazah and just have a long conversation. I love how she understands her students.”
Aisyah Imansufiah also looks up to her teacher’s strength and perseverance as a single mother.
“I really respect and admire her because I know it must not be easy for her to do it alone. Even though she had lost her husband in an accident, I can see from the way she carries herself that she is a very strong woman. Seeing her this way has left a huge impression in my life.”
Not only that, having the teacher as her role model also transformed the third former from being a reserved student to a more confident one.
“I used to find it hard to express my thoughts and opinions,” said Aisyah Imansufiah, who previously feared speaking in front of the class.
“But after listening to Ustazah talk about her life, I became a changed person. After putting her advice into practice, I feel like I can finally voice out my opinions and stand my ground on what I believe is right. She really motivates her students to become better individuals.”
Hua Shiao Zheng Eric, 17, looks up to his coach, Liew Ming Jie who teaches Chinese at his school, SMK (L) Bukit Bintang, Petaling Jaya.
Hua, who has been playing basketball for three years, owed it to his coach for his progress and success in sports.
“I became a state player for Terengganu in a basketball match last year,” said Hua, reminiscing the eventful tournament at the Malaysian Basketball Association stadium.
“He gave me a lot of encouragement and said that I should give it my all. I could not have done it without the support of my coach.”
The fifth former also found his coach approachable. “It is easy to talk to him about any topics such as life, friendship and love.
“To coach, thank you for always being there for me and teaching me valuable lessons that are not just limited to sports. I promise that my team members and I will work hard and do our best to give you good results in our upcoming matches,” said Hua who aspires to be a professional basketball player.