My school set aside time for students to nominate teachers for the Listening Educator for Advancement and Progress Award. I received a few nominations. Two nominations did tug at my heartstrings.
But nothing could beat the rush of genuine affection that overwhelmed me when I chanced upon the girl and then the boy at Khatib MRT Station today. I was their Primary six teacher two years ago and marshalled them successfully to pass the Herculean task that was the Primary School Leaving Examination.
Oh I still remember things like they just happened yesterday. How I stayed with the girl until 5pm and grilled her conversational questions on the eve of her oral exam. How I got the boy to put aside his Maths and just breathe after he slammed his pen down in a fit of self-loathing at 7.30am. Not to rake up the past but I’m sure you can relate to how these bittersweet memories add flavour to their auras now. They stand tall and pretty/handsome, looking poised to embrace the prime of their youth.
It makes me feel glad that I never gave up on them during those trying days. That all those morning and afternoon sessions were imbued with so much meaning and purpose that they made a 43-year-old man’s heart sing instead of being wallowed in an acidic mid-life crisis.
I think just feeling in awe how radiant and healthy ex-students look packs a more impactful punch than LEAP Award nominations. And since today is Monday, my Monday blues were effectively dispelled!
