Good vs bad teachers?

Been seeing several articles about teachers/principals who did not perform their duties as rightfully as they should be. One who requested the Normal stream students to opt for ITE rather than attempt the O levels the year after. Just so to suit the boost the school ranking. Or badly put, to ensure these less academically inclined student do not potentially bring down the results of the O levels.

WHat kind of reasoning is that? Is that the way you see your students as? Just as object to assist in your promotion or even a booster to your reputation? You discard the "less needed" students for the good ones only? As a teacher/principal, you are seen as a leader, a guide for the kids, the students. You are to be fair and assist them in any way possible. To mould their future. To be a better person, student, and citizen. Are you putting your personal interest forward at the expense of your social responsibility?



I have had such experience before back in my school days. I, unfortunately, have me several "poorly trained" teachers and they made me wonder the reasons behind them actually becoming one. Is it out of obligation or is it to fulfil their burning passion?



Back in secondary school, one particular teacher i HATE, was Mdm Goh Lily. Or Goh Lily i would call her.. omit the mdm.. or "teacher"... I really despise her due to her bad attitude towards students, me especially. She was this gloomy teacher, really bad tempered woman.. not to mention a hunchback, a midget and darn right U.G.L.Y!

As if she was born to cause misery to anyone she sees. Wonder how her hubby could tolerate her nonsense.. that WITCH (hmm. if i recalled correctly, i have seen her scolding her hubby before on her mobile, for coming 5mins late to pick her up from her school).



She was just a Maths HOD but she thought she was the displinarian of the school. She would come directly to me, in the morning to wipe of any makeup residue on my face (not that i am wearing any), to check the length of my skirt and even to see if i was doing my silent reading, silently! It was the most humiliating ordeal i had to go through.. for the whole of my 4yrs in the school. Such a bully! She would totally ignore those ah lians next to me, who wore mini skirts, 2-inch makeup and talked as loud as those fishmongers you see at the marketplace!! How biase can she get!!!



Oh... the best part, she came up to me one day, final yr in school.. to say that i would fail my Maths (as a "goodluck" wish before i sit for my O's). Hello!! I was the maths rep for the whole goddamn Sec 4 level! I was the Maths Tutor for the cohort. Scored A1s for my maths throughout sec3-sec4 prelims. What basis has she to curse me like that! Stupid!



Angered by her remarks, with god as my witness, and a couple of my girlfrens, i made a bet with her. "Orite. If i were to get an A1 for my O'level maths, you will EAT my shoe!" And the dumb witch accepted the bet. True enough, i scored and A1.. and waiting patiently outside the staff room for her. She came out. I smiled. Razinah, i remembered vividly, said out loud my score. She pretended not to hear. I took off my shoe, and threw it on her face. "Now you shall eat it!". She screamed at me, of course, for being rude. And the principal was called to handle the commotion. I explained to her.. and definitely, my ex-maths teacher received a one on one pep Talk with the principal. I was soooo glad to do what i did. She deserved it!!!



This was an example of one lady who should have reconsidered millions of times before she took up the teaching profession! She was not cut out to be one for sure!



I am not saying that teachers are bad. They are great individual. It is not easy to be a teacher, to control the class and to mould them to be a better individual. They have to wear many hats at one time... and PATIENCE is utmost pertinent for this career.



However, only passion can differentiate the good teachers from the GREAT ones. And i am equally lucky to have found some amazing ones..



A special tribute to these wonderful Mentors..

1. Miss Ho (she passed when i was in primary 6. The best teacher ever!)

2. Miss Hamimah

3. Prof Hooi den huan

4. Prof Murthy (he passed a few years back. Bless his soul)

5. Prof Ian Mcgovern

A great THANK YOU to you, teachers!