Despite my crazy schedule, teachers’ day is always a significant event in our yearly calendar, and I make time to mark this day. Teachers are such a big part of my children’s lives, and besides the heartfelt words of thanks throughout the year, this is one day we can formally show our appreciation to these very special people.
The flurry of activity started the day before in our kitchen as #3 and her bff spent the whole afternoon making cake pops. This year, I decided to use a fairly simple chocolate chip recipe to bake cookies for Kate’s teachers so that she could do most of the steps with minimal assistance from me.
It was dinnertime by the time the last batch of cookies were done and she packed them into little boxes and used her name stickers to seal them. All set!
In the morning, I taught her to hand the boxes to each of her teachers and she giggled and gave them hugs while wishing them.
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| I can bake! |
After depositing her in school, the hubs and I prepared to go over to #2’s school as she was performing a solo item! Unfortunately, before her act, the hubs had to rush off to pick Kate up. That’s how it’s like when you have too many kids.
We were extremely proud of her for the courage to want to go up on stage to sing on teachers’ day. It wouldn’t have been possible if the teacher in charge did not back them up, allow them this opportunity, and give them words of encouragement as their nerves took over.
Despite the hurdles of not having rooms approved for her, the pianist and the drummer to practice together, and of being in the middle of prelims, they pressed on and did a good show to wild screams from their peers.
It didn’t matter that the singing wasn’t spectacular, but such spirit! One seemingly small step of a student going up on stage to sing. But the message was strong. Nothing is impossible. Dare to dream. Have the strength to persevere. I’m sure they will remember this for a long time to come.
And who knows? Many may have been inspired to step out of their comfort zone and rise up to challenges as they leave this school and embark on the next phase of their lives.
As part of the parents’ support group, we were invited to the teachers’ day celebrations where we showed our appreciation on behalf of all the parents by handing over the gifts we made, and thanking the teachers for their hard work.
Together, we prayed a beautiful prayer for teachers,
What struck us mummies was that teachers’ day celebrations in school are a far cry from what we had in our day.
Students from the media CCA groups came up with video montages and the young teachers gamely posed, danced and lip-synced to the delight of their students.
They also had a fun segment where awards were given out to teachers amidst much cheering, and it was heartwarming to see the camaraderie between the teachers, students, Principal and VPs.
We had a late lunch with their friends before coming back to the other kids.
#4 related an oral practice session they had in class and the topic was “What makes a good teacher?”
Given how much I had been hearing about their teachers piling them with homework prior to the PSLE countdown, I half expected things like, “A good teacher is someone who doesn’t scold us” or “Someone who gives us less homework.”
However, I was surprised how matured these 12-year olds were.
These were the top 8 traits they listed, ranked in order.
1. Someone who is patient.
2. Someone with the ability to make lessons interesting.
3. Someone who is understanding.
4. Someone who is fair to all.
5. Someone who is approachable.
6. Someone who is helpful.
7. Someone who is kind.
8. (She couldn’t recall what the eighth trait was).
My faith has been renewed in children! We tend to think of children collectively as being from a spoilt, ‘me-first’ generation.
It probably takes a saint to have all of those traits all of the time!
To all teachers, we wish you a very Happy Teachers’ Day! Enjoy the long weekend with your family and loved ones. We appreciate the good work that you do, day in day out.
And now that I run an enrichment centre, I have a team of teachers!
Let us never forget the why behind what we are doing, and besides enjoying teaching the easy and teachable kids, when the going gets tough, when the children are challenging, may we remember that it is a calling to be an educator, a responsibility as much as a privilege that we must never take lightly.
And not only is it the job of educators, but we parents are our children’s first teachers. I leave you with this prayer, which we ended the teachers’ day celebration with: