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"His memory is amazing
and his patience
legendary!"
That is how Mr
Chia Choon Khai is described by his former students.
“He was an understanding and
grandfatherly figure to us – the wind beneath our wings!”, added
Roy Ang on behalf of the 4A3 Class of 2006.
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Chia Choon Khai
Mother Tongue Department
ACS (Barker Road) |
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Mr Chia has served in ACS family of
schools as a Chinese language teacher since the 70s. He enjoys teaching
in ACS and remembers most fondly the classes of 75 & 76. He is highly
regarded by his students and his colleagues, so much so that when he was
posted out of ACS briefly, the Principal of ACS then, Mr William Thomas,
tore up his transfer letter in disgust!
What makes Mr Chia such a popular
figure with his students are his very patient demeanor and personable
approach. “He was a dedicated and approachable Chinese teacher who
connected well with his students in his committed teaching of the
language to his charges”, Vincent Loh
in Melbourne, Australia, recalls.
Although he was not always amused
by his students’ antics in class, former student
Dr David Ng (Implant, Restorative &
Aesthetic Dentistry, Camden Medical Centre) reckons that Mr Chia
enjoyed teasing his students as much as they enjoyed teasing him
back.
According to Dr Ng, “He would laugh with us and he took time
to know us better. He really cherishes his friendships with his
former students, and what’s amazing is that he can remember our
names even after 20 years!”
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“And when we got restless
or rowdy in class, he never lost his temper, save for his frequent
half-resigned interjection of “不要讲话，不要讲话!” in a futile
attempt to keep us quiet. We fondly remember his classic
“你们这次的测验真的是 tellible plus hollible...” when we fared badly for
his tests” Dr Ng said.
Paying tribute to Mr Chia,
George Pan (Operation Director of PT
Trane Indonesia) said: “His patience is legendary, coaching us
through the ultimate task of CL2. This encouraged us to put in our
best effort. I am sure many of us benefited today from his effort
then”, to which Francis Lee Siew Pong
(Sec 4D Class of 1975) attested, "We all subconsciously learnt
important life skills of commitment and dedication from Mr Chia".
Finally, Yong Kit Mun (Sec 4D Class of
1975) sums up why Mr Chia is so well remembered and respected by his
student with this observation, "He is a fine, gentle man who
never made us feel bad about what we were not".
Happy Teachers’ Day, Mr Chia!
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