I’ve always been somewhat ambivalent towards the idea of Teachers’ Day. It’s that ONE special day every year where you make/buy a card, buy a ton of chocolate by bulk and proclaim from the rooftops that you are unspeakably indebted and grateful to this other human being, whom you (for slightly more than a perfect 24hrs) swear has utterly changed you for the better; whom you declare you absolutely love with all your heart. Yes, it's all perfectly heart-warming and meaningful – but why then does it appear almost like a mere token gesture in retrospect?

Of course, cynicism aside, it is incredibly beautiful to see the outpouring of love and appreciation from students to their teachers on this special day. Indeed, I am ever so grateful to the tutors and mentors I’ve met (especially in ACSI).

Beyond intricately planned lessons and painstaking commitment, I realised the teachers who have left the greatest impact on me all shared one thing in common: they were all wholly, unapologetically, and unabashedly themselves – even when standing in front of a class of restless, hypercritical adolescents. These teachers were the ones who knew how to laugh at themselves; the ones who abandoned pretence the moment they assumed the role of The Teacher, and openly demonstrated their strengths, and weaknesses; the ones who invested themselves completely into their content, and unconditionally cared for each and every one of their students (even the difficult ones). This element of genuinity and realness is what facilitates the connections that catalyses and sustains boundless learning and teaching.

In these two years, the teachers I’ve encountered have undeniably played an instrumental role in my IB life. I don't know how I would have surmounted CASEETOKIA (all that coursework!) without the tutelage, emotional support, and endless encouragement by my teachers!

They say we are defined as much by our experiences, as we are by the people that nurtured us. And I'd believe it's true. So be it teachers’ day – or any other day – I am beyond grateful to be blessed with the guidance and care of such amazing individuals! Thank you for believing in me, even when I found it difficult to believe in myself.

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IB special mentions:

To Mr Ben Chan, thank you for constantly reminding me that however listless I am, there is only just a LITTLE bit left to go – and that I’m a queen that can do anything. The perfect balance you strike between nonsensical humour and effective/crystal-clear tutelage is god-sent. Quantum would have (literally) been impossible without you!

To Ms Diana Chng, thank you for showing me that although life is cruel and life may suck, but it’s still okay. And that with confidence and poise and the right pair of killer heels, you are set to rule the world. Thank you for being a role-model and for the ever-insightful advice to what may seem as adolescent angst.

AND To Ms Doreen Ang (my dear EE supervisor!), thank you for pushing me to aim so much higher than I could ever imagine; for giving me the courage to push academic boundaries and to just write; for continually assuaging my unwarranted worries and fears every single time I allow them to hinder my progress. You are my rock, and my EQ barometre.

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Who can say that I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

I’ve always been somewhat ambivalent towards the idea of Teachers’ Day. It’s that ONE special day every year where you make/buy a card, buy a ton of chocolate by bulk and proclaim from the rooftops that you are unspeakably indebted and grateful to this other human being, whom you (for slightly more than a perfect 24hrs) swear has utterly changed you for the better; whom you declare you absolutely love with all your heart. Yes, it's all perfectly heart-warming and meaningful – but why then does it appear almost like a mere token gesture in retrospect?

Of course, cynicism aside, it is incredibly beautiful to see the outpouring of love and appreciation from students to their teachers on this special day. Indeed, I am ever so grateful to the tutors and mentors I’ve met (especially in ACSI).

Beyond intricately planned lessons and painstaking commitment, I realised the teachers who have left the greatest impact on me all shared one thing in common: they were all wholly, unapologetically, and unabashedly themselves – even when standing in front of a class of restless, hypercritical adolescents. These teachers were the ones who knew how to laugh at themselves; the ones who abandoned pretence the moment they assumed the role of The Teacher, and openly demonstrated their strengths, and weaknesses; the ones who invested themselves completely into their content, and unconditionally cared for each and every one of their students (even the difficult ones). This element of genuinity and realness is what facilitates the connections that catalyses and sustains boundless learning and teaching.

In these two years, the teachers I’ve encountered have undeniably played an instrumental role in my IB life. I don't know how I would have surmounted CASEETOKIA (all that coursework!) without the tutelage, emotional support, and endless encouragement by my teachers!

They say we are defined as much by our experiences, as we are by the people that nurtured us. And I'd believe it's true. So be it teachers’ day – or any other day – I am beyond grateful to be blessed with the guidance and care of such amazing individuals! Thank you for believing in me, even when I found it difficult to believe in myself.

-

IB special mentions:

To Mr Ben Chan, thank you for constantly reminding me that however listless I am, there is only just a LITTLE bit left to go – and that I’m a queen that can do anything. The perfect balance you strike between nonsensical humour and effective/crystal-clear tutelage is god-sent. Quantum would have (literally) been impossible without you!

To Ms Diana Chng, thank you for showing me that although life is cruel and life may suck, but it’s still okay. And that with confidence and poise and the right pair of killer heels, you are set to rule the world. Thank you for being a role-model and for the ever-insightful advice to what may seem as adolescent angst.

AND To Ms Doreen Ang (my dear EE supervisor!), thank you for pushing me to aim so much higher than I could ever imagine; for giving me the courage to push academic boundaries and to just write; for continually assuaging my unwarranted worries and fears every single time I allow them to hinder my progress. You are my rock, and my EQ barometre.

---

Who can say that I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.