A Good Teacher in My Mind
A Good Teacher in My Mind
At the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I was a teacher running a one-person company, doing everything myself. As my student base grew, I began hiring help to realize my educational dreams and ideals.
In my youth, I didn’t fully understand social nuances. To honor the trust parents placed in me and ensure my students had excellent teachers, I hired anyone with teaching experience, regardless of their conditions. I hoped my students would thrive academically and improve their behavior under the guidance of skilled teachers.
However, the reality was harsh. Teaching experience alone doesn’t guarantee a good teacher, which is a subjective matter.
I was influenced by Zhang Baoyou’s principles:
☑️ I believed “there are no unteachable children, only teachers who haven’t found the right methods.”
☑️ I believe “learning should be a joyful experience.”
☑️ I believe “a good teaching plan can spark a child’s interest and thinking.”
☑️ I believe in “nurturing children to be happy and creative individuals.”
☑️ I believe “non-punitive education can raise confident and independent children.”
Unfortunately, many experienced teachers stuck to traditional methods, resorting to harsh scolding when students struggled, often reducing them to tears.
My own child was one of my students. Watching colleagues berate my child, I felt helpless despite their educational qualifications and experience. I respected their expertise but felt deeply uncomfortable.
I knew that continuing this way would only harm my students, leaving them emotionally drained and uneducated.
According to Malaysian labor laws, it’s challenging to dismiss underperforming employees without risking legal action. Additionally, in today’s digital age, disgruntled employees can easily air grievances on social media, spreading negativity and influencing others. Thus, we could only hope underperforming teachers would eventually improve through continued education.
My team and I have faced these challenges repeatedly over the years. Some supervisors have grown stronger, enhancing their skills and selecting better teachers, while others have left the field, finding team building and management too difficult.
I’m still unsure how best to handle underperforming teachers. I often seek advice from education and business leaders and share my struggles with Zhang Baoyou. I hope more teachers will adopt her teaching methods, wisdom, and artistry, believing that good teachers can turn students’ resistance into a love for learning and creativity.
To find answers, I’ve attended numerous courses, learning about labor laws, non-violent communication, positive leadership, emotional self-awareness, and family dynamics. I share my knowledge and experience with my team, hoping to foster improvement.
Whenever I find excellent lecturers, I invite them to train my teachers, hoping they can learn to become outstanding educators.
I believe continuous learning and training can transform individuals. I think teachers’ backgrounds often cause their emotional and behavioral issues. Traditional teaching methods and a lack of effective strategies drive some to use harsh discipline. Teachers aim to teach thoroughly but sometimes at the expense of genuine understanding, driven by a desire for perfection and influenced by those around them.
I firmly believe everyone can become better through learning, whether through books, movies, positive videos, or learning from great teachers. Change starts within, and only then can we see broader changes.
A good teacher inspires students to improve, leading to a natural love for learning. Over the years, we’ve seen this repeatedly.
Good teachers are dedicated to their students, continually improving their teaching methods and always prioritizing their students’ needs.
Will good teachers stay in the profession? It’s hard to say. Many good teachers leave due to financial pressures, declining health, parent complaints, challenging students, lack of support, or workplace politics.
Are all my teachers and supervisors good? We strive to educate and develop them, believing that mutual communication and trust are crucial. It’s hard to say whether good parents make good teachers or vice versa. We aim to transform Malaysia’s educational landscape through our efforts.
Parents are both supervisors and supporters. If you find a good teacher, please encourage them, pay fees on time, and support your child’s learning. If you don’t find one, don’t be discouraged—good teachers emerge with parental support and encouragement.
Good teachers are like rare snow lotuses—precious and hard to find.
I hope the upcoming International Education Conference (June 3-4) will inspire more principals, supervisors, parents, and teachers to embrace innovative education, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their understanding of education and life. Only with increased educational knowledge and awareness can we envision a better, more civilized Malaysia.
I’ve traveled across Malaysia’s learning circles, realizing that true teachers are rare. Genuine teachers can light up your heart, and once your inner light is ignited, it naturally shines and spreads positivity.
Continuous learning leads to continuous progress, enhancing one’s value
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From years of observation, I know good teachers never give up on their students, always finding new methods. Good supervisors never give up on their teachers, continually seeking solutions.
Good teachers starts with effective methods
Good teachers starts with support from parents.
This is my current understanding, though it may evolve over time.
Article Reposted from: Founder Dr. Carol Yap
(www.facebook.com/teacheryap)