A Very Special Rose

When I was sitting at my desk and getting upset over some issues, somebody knocked on my cubicle. I turned around and saw my ex-student, Bryan, with a stalk of rose in his hands.

"Mrs Ng, I want to thank you for the help you have given me last year when I was re-taking my A levels. I really appreciate it very much. This is my way of saying thank you."

I quickly stood up and received the rose with two hands. And I was very, very touched and happy.

I taught Bryan in 2005. He dropped the subject I was teaching because he could not manage 4 A level subjects. When he sat for the A levels in 2006, he did not do well enough to get to the university. He took the exam again in 2007 and still, he did not make it. Then, with great determination, he re-took the exam in 2008. He was serving NS and he could only study when he was off-duty. Every night, he studied from midnight to 4am. Last year, he texted me and asked me if I could pass him some notes or past year papers on the subject which I taught (and he re-taking it). I dug out all my old files and sent them to him. It wasn't very troublesome but this grateful boy thanked and thanked me. While waiting for his results, he is currently serving as a relief teacher in my school.

This is the beauty of the teaching profession. You know you are doing something worthwhile in your job. You know you are touching and changing lives of the young people. You know you are not just teaching them the subject content but you are shaping their values and moulding their characters. This is why I love my job so much and am very passionate about it.

From Bryan's point of view, I may have motivated him and salvaged him. However, it is students like Bryan who help me to stay focused and motivated, especially when I am feeling frustrated, upset and disillusioned.