教师节礼物 Tribute

It has been a long time since I did any post. Busy is a buzz word.

Came across this article by my fav writer, a former principal now retired. Although teachers day is well over but I thought I would like to share this. Indeed, for me, I have never regretted at any point in time of joining this profession; yes, I see teaching larger than a job, a profession because it has the power to make a difference, be the difference and shape minds. I have been gratified to have met all kinds of people; from fellow educators to students and being in contact with them has taught me a lot, and hopefully vice versa.

The modules I am doing now made me reflect on what I have been doing; questioning my practices and beliefs, and help me to see education, hopefully, in a different and positive light.

For the past few weeks and months, I have bumped into students at NTU and other parts of the neighborhood, and it warmed my heart to be greeted with a smile, a hi, a casual chat and learning that they are doing well.

No gift is better than seeing the students that past through your life as an educator, grow.

Enjoy the article.
May peace with you all. B)

教师节礼物

（2011-09-19）

早报导读
● 何濛
好为人师

　　一边吃早餐，一边读早报，是退休生活的一大享受。翻阅副刊，细读几位心仪作者的文章，不但长智慧，还可怡情养性。

　　读卓涵的《我的笔名》，恰是在9月1日教师节的早晨。作者在文末提到吕振端博士和我，说我们当年鼓励她写作，使她得与写作结缘，有了更丰富的人生。

　　记得卓涵，因为常看副刊，因为记得“吉卜赛”这个笔名。在她念高中的时候，正是华文教育被狂风毁灭的时代，也是重理轻文的时代。那时候，人文科目受鄙视，尤其是教华文的我们在同行中往往居末席。

　　但是，那时的我们青春正富。青春不能没有理想支撑，因此，我们决定擎着理想的火把，去点燃生命，无视于现实的恶劣。那时候，我们没想到中国会在21世纪崛起，经济腾飞。我们不问华文是否有实用价值，只坚持“华人就必须先学华文，学好母语”的信念，鼓励学生学好华文。

　　人的生命价值是守恒，坚守亘古不变的理念，是我们的使命。记得有一位教育家说过：“捧着一颗心来，不带半根草去” 。只问耕耘，不问收获。生命的意义在于付出，不在于索取。明乎此，我们尽己所能，撒下文化的种子。浇水施肥之后，能否开花结果，且看造化。

　　最近搬家，在翻箱倒柜时看到28年前学生送给我的教师节礼物，那是我建议那班学生用几毛钱买的小册子。每个学生写几句表达学习华文的感受。我不要他们花费父母的钱去买鲜花、朱古力、玩具熊等礼物。鲜花会凋谢，朱古力会消化在肚子里，玩具熊会烂掉。唯独这小册容易收藏，虽然有点发黄，依然令人爱惜和感动。

　　这班学生讨厌华文，我曾殚精竭虑，使尽法宝把教学变得生动有趣，以便引起他们的学习兴趣。不敢期望他们考到特优，只希望他们不再把母语当仇人。一年的调教，小册上留下这些简单的华文字：“原来华文不难，只要肯读。”“以后还要多学华文。”“懂得母语才有自尊，谢谢老师提醒！”“华文成绩还很差，但我会继续努力，老师放心吧！”

　　我把李姓同学写的一页扫描后电邮给他，在重庆工作的他很惊讶看到二十多年前自己写下的留言和笔迹，感慨当年的无知和幼稚，也庆幸他自己没放弃华文。

　　教育工作者喜见桃李芬芳满园春，更爱见今人胜前人。每年教师节，学生都送礼物给老师。但我认为最珍贵的礼物 ，是学生的成就超越我们。