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Annie Yong
English Department
Anglo-Chinese Junior College |
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It is not difficult to sense the joy
and fulfilment Ms Yong finds in her work. Throughout the interview, she
grinned broadly at the mention of her students, and described her time
in ACJC as “very, very enjoyable”. When asked to share some of the
highlights of her teaching career, she was stumped, but finally
professed that she had none as “going to class everyday, seeing
students, especially the challenging ones grow and blossom, and becoming
better people” was in itself a wonderful experience, and that itself is
a highlight.
For someone who has clearly embraced
the joys of teaching, one is surprised that teaching never crossed her
mind as a student. Though she enjoyed her relief teaching stint after
her ‘A’ levels, she let on that she had had other plans.
A
Communications graduate, she worked in the advertising industry and at
the Civil Service College before embarking on teaching as a career
because she felt that life was more than just a mundane routine of a
“going to work at nine, knocking off at six, and filing in and out of
the MRT.” Realizing the greater sense of purpose and fulfilment teaching
could give her, she joined the teaching force thereafter, and has never
looked back despite challenges, disappointments and trials.
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One of the biggest challenges Ms Yong
faces is to try to push students to think independently. She
acknowledges that many teachers find it an uphill struggle to wean
students off spoon-feeding in lessons, and candidly admits that
teaching, despite the delight it can bring, can also be very tiring.
However, God had always been her constant source of much-needed
courage, strength and wisdom, especially in the moments of
disappointment and frustration.
Indeed, for this teacher who earnestly
believes that teachers must be a positive influence in their students’
lives, the quote “Teachers affect eternity” is a truly apt motto to
live by.
Stephanie Foo & Cara Chiang
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