16 May 2012

Today is Teachers' Day, which got me thinking about how few and far between good teachers are. I know of more mediocre ones than good ones that's for sure and this makes the good ones (when they do come by) very appreciated.

With one of the best of the best
Back in Form 4&5, I was blessed with a wonderful BM teacher who was also our class teacher. I personally think she's the best BM teacher in Kuching. I also know how rowdy and disrespectful students can get towards teachers and in my class, it happened. A lot. What I have learnt from her example is patience. A lot of patience. Oh, if it were I who was the teacher, insolent students would be kicked out of class and sent down to the principal's office (real quick and easy solution, innit?) so it was definitely mind-boggling when this teacher would rather keep them in her class and do her best to continue teaching even though it can really be taxing on the emotions. What love is this? This teacher's actions was a picture of a dimension of love to me. It is puzzling and I am amazed every time I think about her. I'd like to be more like her.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

I still have a long way to go, and I tip my hat in gratitude and respect to those who have taught me one way or another, professional teacher or not, because they have invested time in helping me grow.

Happy Teachers' Day!