Teaching is not about the ABCs…
Teachers have one of the most difficult jobs in life. On a daily basis, they have to deal with rebellious youngsters with different personalities and instill a love of learning into each of them while being fair to all. You might not realize their impact on you but certainly they have educated and nurtured you into someone you are today. But how often do we express our gratitude ? Perhaps only on 1st September in which we recognized as Teacher’s Day where cards, chocolates and flowers are scattered all over the teachers’ tables, photographs taken and a brief “Happy Teacher’s Day” before the half day of school ends.
The least I can do now is to thank the teachers who have been huge influences in my life,
Mrs Rita Teo (6 CA’99 of SACP) - I can’t express how much Mrs Teo has influenced me, not in words. All I can say that this wonderful teacher of mine has transformed me into someone better – someone with self-confidence, dares to speak up, finds herself enjoying leadership roles, understanding nothing “its-the-end”, loving my family, treasuring the friends in life, respecting teachers and basically being me. Getting to know Mrs Teo and being her student was a life-changing experience. It was tough being “new in town”, unable to communicate/speak much English or even just finding friends. Mrs Teo has been a pillar of support and I honestly think she’s the best teacher I’ve ever had. Thank You Mrs Teo, I don’t know if I’ve been a good student or just another student who brings you alot of troubles. But I just want to let you know that I’m thankful and appreciates everything you’ve done for me (even if you probably don’t remember playing such an important role in my life.haha) God Bless You Always.
Mr Quah (Sec 3/5’02 SACSS) – No one can forget Mr Quah’s lessons. Although he has left us, I think his teaching will always be remembered. Will never forget how we used to turn and run when we sees him along the hallway, or pulling our shorts as high as possible, or ‘whitening’ our shoes with white chalk. I’ll never forget the short chat he had with us, telling us that he believes we can do it despite we’re the “worst” class in the cohort and telling us to prove others wrong. Personally, I really appreciate his scoldings because it was a wake up call for me.
Daniel (OBS) – My favourite (one and only) OBS instructor ! Not exactly a teacher but more like a friend, thank you for being there whenever I needed someone. I really treasure this and I’ll never want another OBS instructor ! =)
Mr Tan (Guzheng) – Xie Xie Lao Shi for giving me so many opportunities. Sorry to disappoint you but I promise I won’t give up entirely. Thank you for being not only a teacher but a family friend, watching us grow up since primary 2 and believing in us in many ways.
Vani, Ronald, Ernest, Christine – My awesomest TDS lecturers =) What more can I say ?! I have the coolest bunch of lecturers who talk about anything and everything, party with us and being a friend more than a lecturer. Thank you nonetheless for the life lessons you’ve shared.
Not forgetting my parents who are my greatest teachers in life, my sister Hilda aka Mai Lao Shi who is doing a wonderful job as a teacher – educating the next generation (and destroying their lives as well ? HAHA), the boyfriend who has taught me how to be a better person in a relationship.
Teaching to me is not just passing on the knowledge but making an impact on the students’ lives. Maybe you won’t hear the Thank You(s) now but in 10-20 years time, I think you will see the fruit of your labour in a way when they grow up to be someone good. Simply because you were part of his/her life, it made a difference in how this person turned out.
I’m sure I missed out some but if you’ve taught me before and reading this, Thank You and Happy Teacher’s Day ! =)
“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” -Carl Jung
We Are What We Do, Rubbish…”Designers”?
Without a doubt, I am a proud graduate of Temasek Polytechnic, School of Design. It was a well-spent 3 years because I have learnt alot about design , and myself as an individual. Being one of the pioneer batch of Design School Ambassador, I have been active in most school events and even though I have graduated (for coming 2 years), I dare say that my heart is still with the school. Because of the same reason, I am really disappointed with the juniors after hearing stories and looking at the current situation in school.
Take a look at these pictures (Thanks Moses for posting on facebook), they were taken in our school’s studio space which is a common ground for all design students to do their work/attend their classes. Back in my years, it was also a great hangout for us after classes and a place to work till wee hours for our final year projects. There is a rule for “No Food/Drinks allowed” but being “rebellious” students (as we once were) – nobody really cares about the little plastic signs on the doors.
BUT it certainly makes a difference when individuals do not abide by regulations and do not have basic courtesy/social responsibilities . We (perhaps except a few black sheep) do clean up our mess after using the studio. Especially when it comes to sneaking in food – Who in the right mind would leave their “evidence” behind ?! Sure, I agree that working late in school can be tiring and food is definitely a good way to keep us awake. However, I also believe that we should be responsible for our own mess and not rely on the cleaners of the school. They are not your personal maids.
I think the school has been really lenient when it comes to rules and students’ rights, it’s been said that “There are no rights without responsibility, and there is no responsibility without rights.” If you wish for people to respect you as an individual, respect yourselves and behave like a mature young adult. I don’t see how difficult it is to pick up these rubbish and throw them in the bins that are available on every single level of the school. We can be great “designers” AND good citizens of the school at the same time.
IF you can create a “cause” on facebook,which I must highlight that the description has been changed after much debate on the way this was handled. (You can still view some of the rather rude comments and silly suggestions on how to deal with our canteen problems.) I just have one thing to say about this – it really reflects and says alot about the students to see something like this happening. Immature ? Selfish ? No comments.
Why not create another “cause” – “Save the Design School Studios” ? Hah ! I hope the new batch of Design School Ambassadors/Design Studies Club can look into these matters. Why wait for the school to take action on this when YOU have the right and say in how you want the school to be like – it’s YOUR school afterall. We are what we do, I don’t think “litterbug” is ever on my CV and it is certainly not how we “designers” should be like. Bad habits are hardest to get rid of ?
With this post, I just hope that juniors reading this will reflect on their own behavior and stop creating disappointments for the seniors/alumni. Not forgetting the lecturers who have to deal with this every day.
Sure, all seniors have things to say about their juniors – but I don’t think I was being unfair to voice this out, especially when I’m taking the risk to “wash the school/my dirty linen in public”. If you have any feedbacks/solution to this matter, feel free to leave a comment.
Design Ignites Change : Greater Than 60
Worldstudio launched a new project “Design Ignites Change” which is a self-guided mentoring programme for high school/college students to produce creative works that address to the theme of fostering positive social change. (Click on the screencap to find them on Facebook)
Since they are teaming up with Adobe Youth Voices, I think it will be a really good breakthrough learning experience for the students using interactive media tools. 1) It allows students to showcase their talent on a open platform. 2) The projects are meaningful and more visible and beneficial. 3) There are more public/professional’s input. 4) The works are recognized based on the designer’s ideas and not client’s. 5) Potential job opportunities open up for these students.
Although “Design Ignites Change” is not a local project, we do have something similar here in Singapore. >60 Design Centre (read as Greater Than 60) is probably the first local design project that promotes positive social change. It targets the ageing population here in Singapore and encourages young designers (mainly those who are pursuing their diplomas in Temasek Design School,TDS) to provide design ideas and solutions to meet the needs. It is also the Singapore’s National Design Centre for Ageing. (click here to view facebook group – When Silver Turns to Gold)
I participated in one of the project ” A Generation of Ideas” while I was still in TDS, we submitted 3 design proposals each which address the needs of the elderly and we students generated 824 designs altogether. Of course, only 101 ideas were featured in the book (sadly not mine,haha) . Let me know if any of you are interested to take a look ! 
Being a TDS graduate and current Social Sciences student, I think such projects should gain more publicity and support from the public. Afterall, these projects are beneficial to the society and most of them are non-profit making. It is not easy to make a living in the creative industry, not to mention in Singapore. But I feel that to be a good designer, it doesn’t require alot of award-winning ideas but sometimes all it takes to make a difference, is to value-add your designs and contribute back to the society. It applies to everyone – money and value, which would you choose ?
