people&profiles
Terima Kasih,
Row
take a moment to mull over this: Sting, J.K
Teachers are special. If you don’t agree,
point.
and Stephen King were all teachers at some
never had the pleasure of knowing a truly
If you never enjoyed school, you probably
urag e, influ ence , adm onish and comm end their way into our hear
educate, enco
become the best people we can possibly
motivate us to reach higher, do better and
care are wort h their weight in gold. They mould and shap
Cikgu!
There’s no doub t that teac hers who
e.
doing, mould and shape our collective futur
ptional and experienced teachers about
This Teacher’s Day, we asked seven exce
the most important in the world – teac
lives to; the profession that’s also one of
En da Ryan or 'Sister Enda' as
Sisternd, Datin Paduka Sri Enda
/ Thank you,
Originally from Irela
she is lovingly known has been involved
with teaching, education and
than half a century. The founder
shaping young minds in Malaysia for more
of Assunta Primary and Secondary Scho
ol in Petaling Jaya, Sister Enda
was a memorable presence in the classroom
and a loving mentor to the
girls she taught from 1955 to 1989. At 82,
Sister Enda shows no signs of
slowing down and is still
consulted on key issues
Teacher!
Sister Enda pertaining to education in
this country. She keeps in
close touch with many of
the girls of Assunta who
admire and remember
their beloved teacher
with great fondness.
Gorgeous (G): Why do
you believe teachers
are important?
Sister Enda (SE):
Each child is born with
a “tabula rasa.” This
They inspire us to aspire for more and guide us to reach our
literally means an
“erased tablet”; the
fullest potential. This Teacher’s Day, let’s remember the people who
human mind at birth is
viewed as having no
helped make us who we are today. By Shantini Suntharajah innate ideas. This is why it’s vitally impo
rtant that education takes place to
rited at birth.
elicit the inevitable potential each child
inhe
profession through the years
G: What kept you dedicated to your
and what or who was your inspirati
on?
the International Order of
SE: Being a religious sister and a mem ber of
of life was, more or less, chosen
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, my way
and was almost finished when
by my superiors, so I did my Arts Degree
Michael Hogan, an Irishman,
the then Attorney General of Malaya, Sir
g a Sister to start a school in P.J.
came to our Convent in Ireland requestin
because of ‘The Emergency’.
It was to be for girls deprived of education
er, herself the headmistress of our
My inspiration, I would say was my moth
my infant years. I’d imagine
village primary school, and my teacher from
my quoting her over and over
that many ‘Assuntarians’ will remember
ing her too: “Do your best; God will do
again and now I find they are quot
school; soon enough you’ll have
the rest” and “Enjoy yourselves while in
the responsibilities of the adult world”.
98
ling, Alexander Graham Bell
exceptional teacher. Teachers
ts; neve r wavering from their goal to
be.
e young minds and in so
the profession they dedicated their
hing our children.
le episode you experienced
G: Please share an especially memorab
as a teacher.
SE: One really funny moment stands out
in my mind. The scripts of my
the funniest howler was definitely
Scripture students were often funny but
go to Bethlehem for the birth of
the answer to “Why did Joseph and Mary
r maternity home in Bethlehem!”
Jesus?” “Because there was a much bette
her parents comparing the newly
Presumably the student had been hearing
s in PJ!
opened birthing facilities in those early year
you faced as a teacher?
G: What were the biggest challenges
to raise funds to build the primary
SE: For me, it was the unending efforts
ol including the sports field,
school first and then the secondary scho
ings a good school needs. We had
assembly hall and all the essential build
foundation for a strong school
to do this while simultaneously laying the
that we could produce students
spirit of caring and sharing in the hopes
who received a well-rounded education.
g about being a teacher?
G: What do you believe is the best thin
when mixing with idealistic
SE: First of all, the impetus one garners
’s a sense of great hope for the future
teenagers for several decades – there
uraged to develop their many-
of our beloved country, once they are enco
one’s vocabulary ‘till, perhaps,
faceted gifts. Growing old doesn’t enter
, one’s past pupils are around with
the octogenarian years! And even then
so very comforting in the autumn of
words of affirmation and appreciation,
idered the winter years!
one’s life what might, otherwise be cons
Puan whoTmhe ah
students know as 'Puan Theah', has been
Theah Phaik Ean,
heading
now. She’s taught English in
classrooms for more than three decades
havin g graduated from the Malayan
schools all over Peninsular Malaysia,
in 1979 . Puan Theah was promoted in
Teacher’s Training College in Penang
at a primary school in Petaling Jaya.
2002 and is currently a Senior Assistant
and gentle soul who has endless
Parents and students know her as a kind
Theah believes that good
patience for the children she teaches. Puan
teachers,
especially
those who
are forever
remembered
by their
students, are
the ones who
sincerely love
what they do.
99
Puan Theah
past/present
Gorgeous (G): W  hy do you believe teachers and the
profession is important?
Puan Theah (PT): Teachers are the main
teaching
Miss Lily a + b ≠ c/35
G: What are the biggest challenges
ML: At one point, my colleagues and I had
you face as a teacher?
Gorgeous (G): Why do you believe teac
hers are important?

verb/adjective
pillars in the field of education. to walk about 40 to 50 metres
They impart knowledge, mould a pupil’s down a hill and later walk wearily up the Cikgu Shantha Devi (CSD): Dedicated
character and act as a friend, same hill to the school field teachers consciously cultivate
mentor and guide. Teachers are also their to bathe because the water supply to the children’s minds. Teachers have a great
pupils’ role model. That’s why it’s school area would stop every influence on a young person’s
vital for teachers to practice fairness, love, Wednesday and resume only on Saturday. life and pass on life skills, which are just
concern and dedication towards We filled drink bottles and as important as what you learn
their pupils. Everyone needs a good educ kettles with water to use as drinking wate from books. With the help of good teachers
ation, therefore teachers are very r and for other purposes. , children learn the value of
important because they are the ones who Thankfully, those days are over as water habits and principles like perseverance,
lay a strong foundation for their supply is now regular. Another self-discipline and honesty that
pupils’ academic achievements and succ challenging situation occurs every time there will pave the way to success and help them
ess in life. ’s an inter-school sports meet grow into accomplished
and we need to spend time at the school citizens and capable future leaders.
Miss Lily that’s hosting the meet. Each
G: What kept you dedicated to your school contingent is given a classroom to
profession through the years live in for three days. If you are
and what or who was your inspirati lucky, you get to sleep on tables otherwis G: What kept you dedicated to your
on? e it’s the cold floor! I cringe every profession through the years
PT: It was my one and only ambition to be year when March and April arrives, beca and what or who was your inspirati

past/present
a teacher. I had great respect use of this. on?
and admiration for all my primary and seco CSD: For me, it was easy to be a dedicate
ndary teachers who were really d teacher because teaching
committed and played such a key role as G: What do you believe is the best thin young people was an ever-changing expe
good educators. They had a g about being a teacher? rience and a fascinating one. I
powerful impact on me and they motivate ML: The best thing about being a teacher looked forward to meeting new students
d and inspired me to be a teacher. is that you never really grow every year at all the secondary
I still remember many of their names and old. You’ll always remain young at heart. schools that I taught at and I really liked
faces. To me, teaching is an The students I teach are always knowing that I could reach out
important commitment. You must love this either 16- or 17-years-old. It is the teacher to young people and help transform their
job and the pupils and really put who grows older! Teenagers at minds. I was inspired to teach
your heart and soul in it if you really wan this age are very, very creative. I may be by my uncle, who was an ‘old school’ Engl
t to be a good teacher. The bonus their teacher but they never cease ish teacher who must have
is that your pupils will always remembe Lily Anak Dripin is Miss Lily or more often to teach me because they look at things started teaching in the 1920s. I had grea
r you. just plain ‘Miss’ to her from a point of view that is so t respect and admiration for
students. During her 16-year career, Lily different and so interesting! him. I didn’t realise it then but looking back
has endured a number of now, I know I was inspired
G: What are the biggest challenges challenges that would have defeated a less by his dedication and his passion for the
determined soul. She’s job.

Cikgu Shantha Devi

you face as a teacher? trudged up and down hills, dealt with a
PT: Teaching is indeed a challenging job. lack of basic necessities and
Pupils of today are very informed made her way through difficult rural area G: Please share an especially memorab
and most of them are more vocal now. They s just to reach her students. le episode you
know their rights and the She has taught in two rural schools in Sara Shantha Devi Vanoogopal’s teaching care experienced as a teacher.
limitations of teachers. Therefore I have wak and believes that the er spanned more than three
to find a way to teach and handle best teachers are the ones who truly love decades and across two countries. She train
them to the best of my abilities and to unde and care about their students. CSD: I remember an incident when I was
rstand, care and love them and ed to be an English teacher at trying to motivate my students
give them equal opportunities. I also help the Regional Teacher’s who were feeling a little down because
to guide pupils who are “special Gorgeous (G): Why do you believe teac some of them hadn’t done very
children” which is a different sort of chall hers are important? Training College in well in their mid-year exams. I told them
enge. I am a mother of a special they shouldn’t give up and
child who is already 23-years-old and my Miss Lily (ML): Teachers are important Ipoh and faced her continue to work hard and that God help
heart really goes out to children because they help mould the s those who help themselves.
like this and their parents too. We have next generation to strive to be their best first classroom as I was completely taken aback when one
had a few ”special children” at and this helps to create a of the boys raised his hand,
my school and almost all of them completed promising future for everyone. Teachers a trainee teacher stood up and said: “No, I think it’s actually
their six years of primary also play the role of becoming all up to me.” He was just
education with us. I am proud to say that ‘second parents’ to students because they back in the late 60s. 16-years-old and I believe he had a hard
my colleagues and I have done spend at least seven to eight life at home and had learned to
a good job caring and guiding them even hours in school or doing activities related In the 90s, Shantha rely solely on himself to achieve what he
though we did not go through to school. wanted.
special education training. Devi whose students
G: What kept you dedicated to your referred to simply as G: What were the biggest challenges
profession through the years you faced as a teacher?
G: Please share an especially memorab and what or who was your inspirati 'Cikgu', expanded her CSD: When I was in school and at colle
le episode you experienced on? ge, all the subjects were taught
as a teacher. ML: My dedication arises from the know impressive teaching in English but when I graduated, I had to
ledge that I can make a teach History in Bahasa
difference in the life of another human bein experience when Malaysia. I used to underline the words
PT: The most touching moment for me was g. I was inspired to become I didn’t really understand in the
when a Year 6 pupil wrote me a a teacher because when I was a student, she taught in SMJK
note on the last day of school last year. I had teachers who never textbook, look them up in the BM to Engl
She expressed her appreciation and Salambigar and ish dictionary and write down
gratitude because I comforted her when minded going that extra mile to help me the meanings so I could explain everythin
she first started school in Year 1. understand what I was g clearly to the students. I
learning. SMJK Menteri in eventually became fluent but those first
She would scream and not let her father few times were challenging! It
leave her to go to work. This went Bandar Seri Begawan,
on for months. She eventually did very well was also a challenge to motivate some of
at school, obtaining 5A’s in her Brunei Darussalam. my students who were from
UPSR. Not only did she do well academic G: Please share an especially memorab underprivileged backgrounds. Their pare
ally but she grew up very well- le episode you Shantha believes nts had serious financial issues
behaved and was well-liked by her fello experienced as a teacher. and would expect their children to help them
w classmates. Bravo, Angelyn Lim. that every student earn money. These children
ML: There was a funny moment that occu were often understandably tired and unin
rred recently. I called out the is capable of doing terested in school. I found
G: What do you believe is the best thin name of a student and asked him to answ ways to inspire them so they would reali
g about being a teacher? er the question I had posed brilliantly at school Cikgu Shantha Devi
se that school would ultimately
PT: The best thing about being a teacher him. I looked at him and waited for him offer the way out of their unhappy circumsta
is the satisfaction and happiness to answer but the student and accomplishing nces.
I get when I see my pupils doing their best showed no reaction. In fact, he did not even
and achieving success in look up. A few seconds anything he or she wants to, especially whe
their exams before they leave us for their later, another boy from the opposite side n they’re guided by a good G: What do you believe is the best thin
secondary education. Not only of the class stood up and gave teacher who motivates, inspires and enco g about being a teacher?
academically, but also in terms of improvem me the answer. The other students in the urages them to have faith in their CSD: I felt really happy every time any of

3 + 2 x 6 ≠ f
ents in character. Many of my class giggled. I had mixed up own abilities. my students did well in their
ex-students are doing very well in their care the names and had been calling on the wron exams – especially the ones who started
g boy!

past/present
ers locally and abroad. It is out a bit weak. It changes their
indeed an honour to be invited to their wed personality and their outlook in life whe
dings. n they realise they’re as smart
as everyone else and can excel at their stud
ies. Students who previously
struggled with low self-esteem and who
were shy and quiet would
become more confident and happy. It was
wonderful to know that I had
something to do with that transformation
.

100 101
 past/present past/present
Puan Al ainal
verb/adjective
Md Noor’s teaching career began in the
mid-70s.
Alainal Hasani Binti
sa Malaysia at various schools
She taught Geography, History and Baha
re retiring as a Senior Principal
in Klang, Petaling Jaya and Melaka befo
an (P) Sri Aman. Her students,
in 2010 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsa
t on to study at some of the best
who called her 'Puan Alainal', often wen
educator looks back at her long
universities in the world. The experienced
s that as a teacher, she helped
career with satisfaction because she know
set her students on the path to success.
hers and the teaching
Gorgeous (G): Why do you believe teac
profession is important?
 in educating children and
Puan Alainal (PA): Teachers are important
e to prepare themselves for a
showing them the right values and know
ledg
requ ires heart and dedication,
bright future. Teaching is a profession that
computers. It falls upon
that's why teachers can never be replaced
with
e gene rations can create a
futur
teachers to become agents of change so
better world for all of us.
profession through the years
G: What kept you dedicated to your
and what or who was your inspirati
on?
at it through the years because
PA: I really took my job seriously and kept
a classroom can have a powerful
I believe what a teacher says and does in
continue to do my best for my
effect on young lives. This inspired me to
my efforts paid off and my students
students and it was very rewarding when
studies. I think I was actually
became better people and better at their
r who was also a teacher. I
inspired to become a teacher by my late siste
for ladies during my time.
guess it was considered a good profession
le episode you experienced
G: Please share an especially memorab
as a teacher.
le episodes throughout my
PA: I must say that I had many memorab
orable of all happened in 2007. I
teaching days but perhaps the most mem
Aman, was given the status of
will never forget when our school, SM Sri
once again recognised in 2010 as
Cluster School Of Excellence in 2007 and
a High Performing School in Malaysia.
you faced as a teacher?
G: What were the biggest challenges
t with was to constantly come
PA: One of the biggest challenges I deal
ns I taught in class as interesting
up with ideas on how to make the lesso
won’t be able to concentrate
as possible. If lessons are dull, students
for long and when that happens
they won’t remember what was
Puan Alainal
taught or they’ll end up disliking
the subject. So, I always
tried my best to keep things
interesting and interactive in
class. Later, when I moved on
3 + 2 x 6 ≠
to the administrative side of
things, the challenge was to
keep parents happy with what
the school was doing to help
their children succeed.
102
G: What do you believe is the best thin
g about being a teacher?
is to know that your presence
PA: The best thing about being a teacher
r. I’d like to think that what I
helped to change their lives for the bette
shape successful futures for my
did during my teaching career helped to
mbered and I’m often touched
students. It’s also really nice to be reme
school still remember their
when some of the students who left the
eciate my guidance.
teacher and tell me how much they appr
Madam Shanta
Born in India, Shanta
Choudury studied
economics in college
before she married and
moved to Malaysia.
Shanta settled into
being a wife and mother
for a number of years
before she had the
opportunity to work as
an English teacher in a
private secondary school
where she still teaches.
Teaching started out as
a necessity at first but
soon became something
more. 'Madam Shanta',
as her students know her,
now says that she can’t
imagine herself doing anything else.
Gorgeous (G): Why do you believe teac
profession is important?
Madam Shanta (MS): Teachers are impo
responsibility to educate the future citize
to instill moral values and encourage char
role as a teacher is not only to educate but a
times of need and be their guiding light.
 hat kept you dedicated to your prof
G: W
and what or who was your inspirati
MS: Frankly, it’s out of passion that I still
in educating children is reward enough
arose from a necessity to work. As I am
country and was a homemaker initially.
and developed a deep passion for it.
 lease share an especially memorab
G: P
experienced as a teacher.
MS: When my husband passed away, som
special cards for me to cheer me up beca
really down. They had written some hear
lines of ‘Teacher, we are here
the message was something along the
for you so please don’t be sad.’ The love
their kindness helped me get through one
of my life.
G: What are the biggest challenges
you face as a teacher?
Gorgeous (G): W  hy do you believe teachers and the
profession is important?
teaching
MS: I’m a foreigner and I had to get accu
stomed to the language and lingo ns and contribute to the
Teacher Lai (TL): To become useful citize
of Malaysian students so I could understan
d them well. There’s also a ren must acquire knowledge,
their studies and their outlook in progress of the country and the world, child
subtle difference in their attitude towards proper value systems from
learn technical and social skills and have
so I can be as effective as possible responsible for this but
life which I had to learn to comprehend a young age. Parents and teachers are both
in the classroom. Secondly, I had to get
accustomed to going to work . That’s why the teachers’ role
present-day parents are usually very busy
everyday as I had been a homemaker befo
re I became a teacher. ing and pre-school children
in a child’s life is crucial. Since school-go
at school, teachers are the right
g about being a teacher? spend a substantial portion of each day
G: What do you believe is the best thin people to provide a systematic education
.
teacher is to inspire students to be
MS: I think the basic responsibility of a
academic success so when my profession through the years
good people and to guide them to achieve G: What kept you dedicated to your
s, I have no words to describe how on?
students achieve one or both these thing and what or who was your inspirati
past/present
but my joy reaches new heights and very cute little
happy it makes me. I love being a teacher TL: Young children, who are innocent , unta inted
g really well in their studies. The and principal. They
when I witness one of my students doin people, keep me dedicated to my work as a teac her
. It’s the best feeling in the world learning. When
immense pleasure I feel is immeasurable inspire me because they have such a good appe tite for
wan t to show it to their peers,
for me, hands down!  they learn something new at school, they
on from the children who
parents and siblings. I derive much satisfacti
Teacher Lai
ve sens ibly at home and in school.
become more creative and learn to beha
le episode you
G: Please share an especially memorab
experienced as a teac her.
use young children
TL: I remember many funny moments beca
d. I remember
speak so spontaneously, with no-holds barre
whose mother is a
one morning, when a little six-year-old girl
her bloated tummy
nurse, walked into class. She was stroking
“I am pregnant!”
Madam Shanta because of a rich breakfast and declared
We all had a good laugh!
you face as a
G: What are the biggest challenges
teacher?
hers and the teaching others because of
TL: Some children learn more slowly than
entra tion or the fact
various reasons, like dyslexia, poor conc
rtant because they have a like this, the challenge
that they’re extra playful. For children
ns of the country and also help ods so they can follow
is to be able to adjust teaching meth
acter building. I believe that my along step-by-step. Another challenge has to do with parents
parents
lso to counsel students in who are unreasonable. Some of thes e “pro blem atic”
able to
iuses and be
Teacher Lai expect their children to be super-gen
This arise s beca use
answer queries as if they are adults.
ession through the years of a lack of understanding of their children’s
capabilities. I
on? of learn ing so the parents will
Lai Set Chin has been teaching for need to carefully explain about patterns
ties.
h until today. The joy I get d with a science degree from understand and accept their child’s indiv
idual abili
teac nearly a quarter of a century. She graduate
My inspiration originally e back in 1972 and began
for me. Nanyang Technological University, Singapor
ht science to secondary school g about being a teacher?
a forei gner , I came to this
her teaching career soon after. She’s taug G: What do you believe is the best thin
y got into teaching rsity undergraduates but her a teacher, you are given due
I even tuall students and been a laboratory tutor to unive TL: It is wonderfully satisfying when as
know her as 'Teacher Lai'. For ol. It’s really touching when
heart belongs to the little ones who now respect, both in school and outside of scho
at two kindergartens. To her, a some of the parents show
18 years, Teacher Lai has been a principal some of the grown-up children I’ve taug
ht or
le episode you the hands of a nurse, the patience seat s in a bus, pay for my
good teacher has the heart of an angel, their appreciation by offering to vacate their
or and the determination of a
of a baby-sitter, the sharp senses of a doct parking or my plate of noodles!
what would yo
e of my students made
mountaineer.
use they knew I was feeling
tfelt words in each card and
I felt from my students and
do when...
of the most difficult periods
103