What do you make?

 Adapted from a poem by Taylor Mali

and shared by Pathlight School

What Teachers Make

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. 

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. 

He argued: "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers: 

"Those who can...do.

Those who can't ... teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Susan," he said. 

"Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, 

"You want to know what I make?"

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. 

I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best."

"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes without an I-pod or movie rental."

"I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"

"You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids wonder."

"I make them question."

"I make them criticize."

"I make them apologize and mean it."

"I make them write."

"I make them read, read, read."

"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again."

"I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English."

"I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe."

"I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant."

"You want to know what I make?"

"I make a difference."

"And you? What do you make?"

Share this with every teacher whom you know and respect.

Happy Teachers' Day! =)

Learning the Same Stuff in a New Way

Someone told me that Science is an interesting subject to teach.

I was of course taken aback and rejected the idea.

Since young, I always love Mathematics. Be it the Elementary or the Additional Mathematics. They are my favourite subjects. I love the satisfaction of being able to solve the challenging questions.

As for Science, I had not much memory of what I had learned. Ironically, I actually took Pure Biology, Pure Chemistry and Pure Physics during my Secondary school days. But, of course I wasn't doing well for any of these science subjects. It was a torture for me. 


During my Uni days, I taught primary Mathematics in a Learning Centre as well. It was enjoyable as I know the subject well thus it made the teaching so much easier.

But, when I started teaching my first subject in Pathlight School, I was given the subject Discovery to teach. It was a pre-science subject to allow students the opportunity to explore  basic science concepts.

I was shocked thinking how am I going to teach something I don't like and I am not good in?

So, I started off teaching Discovery by telling them chunks of stuff that I have found out from the slides.

When students start to ask questions, you will be surprised that they are only in Primary 2. I realised that there was so much that I didn't know about science. It became more interesting as I started to explore the concepts on my own.

We started to do more hands-on activities that are relevant to the topics. We have songs and stories that are engaging and relevant at the same time. There were some mini experiments whenever possible. Pictures replace the lengthy words and information were kept simple and concise.Students ask lots of interesting questions and many a times I do not have the answer to them.

It was so much more interesting and engaging than just passing information to the students from the notes.

Now, I start to like Science! =)

It was amazing how teaching my students actually changed my long standing perspective on the boring old Science subject.

#Teaching should be full of ideas instead of facts.

First time - Tour Guide

First time being a tour guide.

I was so nervous and excited then. hahaa

It's a 2 hours learning trip to Sentosa for a class of secondary 3 students. This trip is part of their school module - Elements of Business Skill.

Got the chance to ride on the new Cable Car - the Jewel Box. It has been so so many years since I last took it.

View from the Jewel Box restaurant~







































Photo taken in the cable car with one of the student.. Somehow, we look more like classmates. Lol





















The students get to enjoy the Luge and Skyride as well. Although this isn't their first time riding it (they got a treat from their teachers because of good results, so good!), they seem to have enjoyed it alot.

Aren't the students very lucky nowadays? I didn't remember having such interesting trips paid for by the school when I was in Sec 3. Haha. But, sadly to say, there are still students who do not appreciate such learning trips.

Anyway, it was good that everything ended on schedule and I completed the task of letting the students know more about Sentosa - one of the most popular attractions in Singapore.

For a first timer, I think I did well but of course there are still rooms for improvement. haha. The two helpers were great too! =) However, it was really challenging to capture the students' attention in the outdoor and I realised my voice was not loud enough. I must learn to talk using my dan tian (丹田) more so that my throat will not be hurt easily. And, I should be able to adjust my volume with more ease by then.

1st October 2008

To all my students,


all the children in the world,


all the big children


and all adults who still has a child-like heart!


Happy Children's Day!! ^.^


p.s: to my Malay friends, Selemat Hari Raya~


enjoy the day to the fullest~





























#Live like there's no tomorrow. =p

"Yaya Papaya"

From someone who cannot do well in a certain task to someone who can do it great. This change is sometimes too much for people to take in a short time. And, this is when the “yaya papaya” behavior steps in.

This is what happened to one of my student.

He used to be doing not well for Mathematics. Until, he came to us and learned the right strategies and attitude for learning. He has been improving since. His results soar from 50 to 80+. It was wonderful!

Then, he started to have the “yaya papaya” syndrome. It all started with a small step of not doing his corrections. And, it spreads to not concentrating when doing exam papers, not paying attention in class as he thinks he can already do well. Before the syndrome starts to increase, we stopped him by illustrating to him the consequences of such behaviors that past students had. All efforts that they have put in since day 1 would have been wasted and the desired results that they have been working so hard towards would be further away from them once again.

Lucky for him, he was cured quickly and back with his right attitude. =)

From him, I realized that consistency is very important in learning. You may be doing well now, but if you did not keep up with that you need to do, you will be back to square 1, having to start all over again.

# "Yaya Papaya" syndrome may happen to anyone, please help to stop them from spreading. =)

The Starfish Story

[As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a boy ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the boy, he asked why he was doing this.

The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," said the old man. "how can your effort make any difference?" The boy looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it safely into the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said. ]

- A story from the MOE : Touching hearts, Engaging minds.


As a Cognitive Math trainer, sometimes I do wonder how much I can help my students, how many can I help?

Some of them refuses help whereas some accepts it little by little.


It really hurts when I have to give up helping those who choose not to help themselves and refuses help from others. I understand that there's a limit to what I can do, after all, it is their choice.


But, I know that I have made a difference in those who accepted me. =)


Happy learning together! =p




#You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.

Happy Teachers' Day

A day to remember who has helped you, changed your life for the better, make you look at things differently, ...

Till now, there is this teacher that I have always remembered. She is my primary school chinese teacher, Miss Chang or Chang Lao Shi.

I might not have remembered what she has done exactly to me, but subconsciously, I know she has done alot to help me when I was all alone in the new school, not even knowing the basic language of communication. A petite lady who had went all the way out to help me, making sure I fit into the class, get the right education I suppose to be getting ... without expecting anything in return.

Thank you for making a change in my life.




A note from Ryan. Thanks! =)



#The best present for a teacher is not the most expensive gifts, but the great improvements shown by the students!

Call for help

When you need help with your Math questions, who do you look for??

Please call for the Math experts.. =p

Be specific on what you want your students or your child to do. Giving them general instructions will only confuse them.

For example, when I asked my student to solve a question, I would normally give them a specific time to complete it. This is done as when I questioned one student why he is not doing his question fast when he is told to do so, he told me that I did not specifically tell him how fast he needs to complete it. That is why he do at a pace which he thinks is fast enough.

#Do not assume people know what you want.

How to cry?

One of my student posted this question at me after i told him that he had to redo a math question for the third time (he is not careful with his workings).

Student: I feel like crying. Can you teach me how to cry?

Me: It is a skill that you already have when you are born.

Student: But, you are a teacher, you have to teach me how to cry!

Me: When your mum gives birth to you, the first thing you did was to cry! And, isn't that the first skill you have learn when you step into this new world? After that, you had lots of practices in crying too, didn't you?

Student: -silence-

This student always has lots of question to ask, some is related to lesson, some is not. But, I am still glad that he do ask questions as some students no matter what, will not ask anything when in doubt. This in turn also shorten their learning opportunities.


Have you released your unhappiness?


#Choose the right way to vent your frustration and sadness.

Don't Give Up!

When you face an easy task, you can always do it readily and fast.

But, when you are facing a more difficult task, are you still able to accept it and do it?


For some, they took on the challenge and crack their brain to think of ways to tackle the task. And, of course there is no guarantee success, but I believe the success rate is high. Don't you think so?

For some, they gave up at the first thought, knowing it is something more difficult than usual. Without a doubt, do you think they will be able to solve the challenge?


It is up to the individual to choose what they want when faced with a challenge, to either face it or run away. It is a Choice.

I had a cognitive lesson with my student today. He is faced with a big challenge with one of the activities. We have been training for some lessons, but due to his visual skills, it is not easy for him to pass. We were so closed to passing today (3 out of 5 rounds correct). He had to get 5 out 5 rounds correct to pass the level. When I announced that we had to restart from zero, his first reaction is "I don't know how to do. I want to give up."

He is so closed to passing the level, yet, he choose to give up at this time. I felt that he is able to handle this level well, so I encouraged him to continue. After listening and thinking through, he made another choice, to continue with the activity.

And, to his amazement, he passed the level at 1 go without having to repeatedly do the activity. This is the power of Perseverance.

In life, there is a lot of challenges to face. If we were to give up once we are not able to do something, imagine the number of things you are going to miss out on. It will be a very BIG number!



# Never say DIE! がんばって!

Stingy with Praises?

When is the last time you praised someone?

.
.
.

When is the last time you received a praise?

.
.
.

I believe a lot of you are scratching your head, thinking hard, trying to come up with one.

Most people are very stingy with their praises.

When you think about it, a simple praise just takes you less than 30 seconds. It may just be a short moment of your busy time, and yet, it could make the day for someone else. I mean you would feel great too if you receive a praise from someone, won't you?

The type of praises I refer to are those honest and sincere praise, and not those sweet honey talks.

When someone did something well, acknowledge them and praise them. It would made them feel good about themselves and likewise you would too. Furthermore, it doesn't cause you any $$ or pain. So, why not?


My student once told me that his teacher only knows how to scold and embarrass them. This made them totally shut off from the lessons and homeworks, which made the teacher even more angry and came up with more scoldings and punishments. And, the cycle just continues. If the teacher had changed her teaching methods to punish and praise the students at the right time, I believe she will gain more respect from her students and they will then be able to benefit from her teachings.



Did you see that the tree is being "hugged" by the light?


#Why wait for tomorrow? Do it right now!

Surf' up!

Surf's up is a movie on Cody's journey in learning surfing. His parents do not think he could make it, showed no support to him. But, because of one renowned surfing penguin, Big Z, who impacted him, he proved to everyone that he could do it. "Find a way, cuz that's what winners do!"

In this show, there is also these 3 little penguins that attracted my attention. There are simply so cute! One penguin, Arnold, always "drowns" due to his desire to be rescued by Lani, the lifeguard. This reminds me of the patterns that some students have. Many a times, they do know how to solve the questions, yet, they would rather wait for their teachers (who are like the lifeguard) to teach them than to attempt the questions on their own.
When this happens, it would be best to get an agreement with the students to work on the questions first before providing them help. Else, it would become a habit to always wait for others to save them.


#Teach him the skill of fishing rather than always providing him with fishes.