Hey everybody, I hope this month's letter finds everybody in good
spirits and good health.

I'm writing this on the eve of teacher's day (I am not sure how many
of you are teachers or like your teachers) but I want to take the time
to wish all the teacher's a very happy teacher's day. Teaching is
pretty much a thankless job most of the time along with nursing and
social work. I was very lucky to have a handful of good teachers in my
life that "appeared" like neon signs in the dark that guided me when I
strayed too far off and took the trouble to put my talents into good
use.

I shudder to think of what the consequences of my life would be now
had I not heeded some very well given advice. I was definitely not the
most receptive to obedience without reason and so, I thank the
teachers in my life that took time to show me that results are not the
purpose of education. Qualifications do not equal education. The ones
who had a calling to pass on knowledge and nurture curiosity. Not
squash it like it was taboo. There is beauty in learning for learning
itself. The idea of education as a life process, not just something to
memorise to fill in examination scripts. Writing essays and applying
equations are only a tiny stream of a larger deeper, boundless ocean.

Partly, one of the reasons why I slog the way I do is to hopefully
show these teachers/ coaches that I had in my life that the time that
they spent teaching me and training me, putting that effort to make
sure I am adequately 'armed' for the road ahead was not wasted. I
think I owe them that much.

I was definitely not the model student in all my years of education, I
was never made a prefect, I was never chosen as class monitor, I was
appointed as sports rep during my first week of secondary school but
that was taken away once my form teacher learned that I did not like
to conform to rules that did not make sense. (Adult males usually
don't like to justify themselves to young boys who question authority.
I had to learn this through many sessions of being shouted at, and
physically intimidated by flying chairs and tables. Yes, I have my
share of horrid, small minded teachers as well... maybe they weren't
horrid, we just didn't get along. I think they do not see how
important their work was in the life of a person. It 's probably just
a job for them to pay the bills.)

In primary school, most of the time I would be sent out of class for
talking too much or being disruptive. In secondary school, most
thursdays I would be sitting in the detention hall reading or doodling
or listening to music, in junior college I learned not to get caught
for tardiness. In a nutshell, though it did not seem obvious that I
had an interest in learning because my outward behavior did not
conform all through my schooling years. I enjoyed my days in
University the best because they treated you like adults and learning
was your own responsibility. Also I get to choose what modules I
wanted to read so I could avoid the ones taught by lecturers who had
strange teaching methods that I felt belonged in kindergarten.

In a career as demanding as teaching (there's a lot we students never
see), one of the things that keep them doing what they do is that they
are appreciated for their efforts. For the teachers that are nurturing
more than A's and B's, I think you have a calling and that is a rare
gift. I hope that you will continue to teach and enlighten more minds
that will contribute in more significant ways than simply being part
of the workforce. We in Singapore always talk about culture and our
lack of it. I think you are the ones that will change that.

I don't want to sound like I'm preaching so I had better stop there.
Since we are on this subject , I came across this video on Ted.com by
Sir Ken Robinson. It's a short talk about creativity, I think
everybody should watch this video (I've been telling everyone around
me about it!) Don't judge the talk by it's title but judge it by it's
content. He's funny too. Pass it to everyone you know.

Here is the link:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says...creativity.html

Have a great month ahead,
Jon

In keeping with the Teachers' Day spirit, I am giving a speedy response to your letter.

For your effort in writing this essay, allow me to grade you an A+ for your willingness to be forthcoming.

Not many celebrities dare to be open about themselves as they do not want to spoil the "perfect image" which they have created in people's minds. Many more will not want to take chances when their popularity and reputation is at stake.

Just wondering whether this "bad boy" has ever caused any of his previous female teachers to break into tears, just kidding ...... (or maybe you do not know as teachers will not show that vulnerability in front of their students).

There is this consolatory saying that "defiant kids will eventually turn out to be well-adjusted adults" - I wonder how true that is?

To end off, I enjoy reading this heartfelt essay of yours and may your music inspire lives just as your teachers and coaches have inspired yours.

Hi Jon,

I have been reading your letter updates but felt compelled to reply to this particular letter.

I have been in the teaching profession for 3 years. At a local polytechnic, to be exact. I started off full of passion for the job, with big dreams of wanting to impact lives and basically do good (yes, I was inspired by Dead Poet's Society and Dangerous Minds).

Through the 3 years, I've had my good days and my bad days. Good days are days when a student says a simple thank you or write me a short email to tell me that they enjoyed my lessons. Bad days are those when I feel that no matter how hard I've tried to "get through" to a student, I get the door slammed in my face continuously.

I found myself nodding my head when you wrote that there's a lot of stuff that goes on in a teacher's life that students don't see. Very very true. Contrary to popular belief, we do not just sit in the staff room and sip our kopi from the canteen.

As cliche as it sounds, I truly and whole-heartedly feel that you really do need a whole deal of passion (along with care, empathy and a sense of humour) to teach. However, sometimes, that passion goes a little dim when students don't seem to be 'reacting' back the way you want them too.

I guess I can only hope that one day in the future, students that I've taught will remember the values and little stories I've told them. I guess that's the biggest joy a teacher can get :)

teachers <3

Hi Jon,

Thanks for writing and thanks for letting me know I have embarked on a right journey.
Really hope to see you again soon.

smitten