Five Factors Parents Should Consider When Choosing a Preschool

GEMS International School of Pearl City, Penang

“With the mindset to share for a good cause and make a difference in others’ life, I turned to education and have stayed in the field until now, still proud and loving what I am doing.”

Subjects Taught Secondary Global Perspectives

How long have you been teaching? 9 years.

Why did you become a teacher? I have been admiring the concept ‘Pay It Forward’ after watching the movie in 2009 and wanting to contribute to the community. However, I could not find enough satisfaction and self-worth being a translator after graduation.

With the mindset to share for a good cause and make a difference in others’ life, I turned to education and have stayed in the field until now, still proud and loving what I am doing.

Tell us about your own education journey. I did not graduate as a teacher, but as a translator. With my love of languages, I taught English in a local private school while pursuing my MEd degree in TESL. A beautiful meeting by chance later brought me to GEMS where I continued to develop as a professional teacher and leader via the internal and external trainings/CPDs provided.

What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career so far? As much as I wish my students would apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in school, seeing them involved in charities to ‘pay it forward’ pleases me more.

My last advice to my students on their graduation has been the same throughout my teaching life, ‘Of all the things you can be, be kind.’ If they are kind enough to themselves and people around them, happiness will follow.

What do you like most about teaching? I am one of those teachers who enjoys learning from students, with students, and for students. As a passionate life-long learner, I have benefitted from my numerous interactions with students. Through sharing and exchanging ideas with students I have become familiar with a broad range of ideas. Such activities have also served to build rapport with them to create a secure and comfortable learning atmosphere.

What is the best thing about teaching at your school? This is my sixth year in GEMS and I am still learning. From meeting new people from different places and backgrounds, attending professional development training, to being offered new roles and positions, the learning opportunities provided by the school have been a huge motivation to me.

The wonderful people whom I have been meeting – the school leaders, colleagues, students, and families add spice to my work life too.

Who or what inspires you? Nelson Mandela – ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’

Tell us about your online teaching experience. Did you face any challenges? Just like others, my online teaching experience has been bumpy, yet I managed to sharpen my questioning skill to encourage more student engagement during lessons.

The only challenge that I am still facing is that of trying to improve the mental health and general wellness of students’ during this difficult time. Whenever I think of how the pandemic has impacted adults, I cannot get rid of that picture in my mind of young minds struggling too.

What lessons did you learn in 2020? The importance of shaping students to learn independently. To achieve this, children first need to be introduced to hobbies and interests from a young age.

Preschool Education

As many international schools offer preschool education, this section provides some insight into the importance of an early years education and choosing the right school for your preschooler.