A teacher smiles happily as her student serves her tea and feeds her cake. Photo by Nichelle Chan
At around 1pm on 1 September 2016, Tzu Chi Great Love PreSchool management staff Dai Yu Mei and principal Audrey Koh, together with Tzu Chi volunteers, shuttled busily about in the multipurpose room, preparing for the upcoming Teachers’ Day celebration.
The teachers, the centre of attention for the day, streamed into the room and took their seats, awaiting the big surprise. This year’s Teachers’ Day celebration was a little different from the last, as the teachers did not have to be involved in any of the preparations and were kept in the dark about the arrangements.
When the activity started, Dai gave the opening speech where she described the teachers in the Great Love PreSchool as a closely knit family of sisters and the Teachers’ Day celebration as just like a big family gathering to bring everyone even closer. She expressed her wish that the teachers continue to work together and fulfil the holistic aims of Tzu Chi’s Mission of Education.
Principal Audrey Koh also stated in her speech: “Teachers’ Day is a day rich with meaning for those of us in the work of educating young minds. (I am) grateful for everyone’s hard work, without your efforts, there would not be the children of good character today. As a member of the Great Love PreSchool, I wish that everyone can enjoy a unique Teachers’ Day experience today!”
Teachers Lead by Example
The teachers were treated to a Thai mini-movie about a medical professor who devoted his whole life to education. His students were always on his mind and he taught them by example as he knew that this was a far superior method to teaching through speech. Upon his death, he even donated his body for medical education.
Following the movie, the much-anticipated moment arrived and it was time for the young students to perform! The first item was the sign language song performance where the melody of a lively “Thank You” song was complemented perfectly by the hand gestures of the little children. A few teachers led with the signing actions downstage as the audience listened in rapt attention. Seeing the students take their performance so seriously, every teacher was filled with joy and gratitude.
While awaiting the next surprise performance, Dai invited the teachers on stage to say a few words. One of the teachers said, “This is my first time celebrating Teachers’ Day in this way; I really find it special, and I’m both touched and happy.”
Gratitude in a Cup of Tea
After a short wait, a group of adorable children entered the room in an orderly manner, each carrying a tray in hand. Respectfully, they each walked to the front of a teacher and knelt down. Tea was offered to their teachers in an expression of gratitude, and on the face of every teacher a blissful smile was seen. The teachers were doubtless too, filled with happiness, when they were fed pieces of cake by their students.
Following the tea presentation session, each teacher received a handmade flower from their student. Apart from expressing gratitude, the flowers conveyed the message that though the kids were still young and had no means to buy presents for their teachers, they could still offer a handmade gift. The teachers quickly whipped out cameras and snapped pictures of the little ones in front of them, capturing the precious moment of innocence for posterity.
A teacher said that the sincerity of efforts coming from the management staff and the students was such a unique experience for her that she almost could not contain her tears.
“Where in the world can you find a child that offers me tea and feeds me cake like that? It is most inconceivable!”
She also thanked her colleagues in the PreSchool for building up a harmonious working environment and for their cooperation in achieving their work goals.
Many teachers were moved to tears that day and assistant teacher Chen Shu Ruan was one of them. Describing herself as an emotional person who would cry easily at a touching scenario, she said that although it looked like she was providing care to the children, the one who reaped the greatest benefit was herself. Seeing her students grow and develop with the right nurturing environment brings a great deal of joy to her.
CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) Low Swee Seh said in his concluding speech that in its short two-year history, the Tzu Chi Great Love PreSchool has gained much recognition locally and this was due to the hard work and efforts of its teachers. Even as they teach their students, teachers themselves grow and develop and thus achieve self-improvement alongside their young charges.
In fact, whether it is during their daily lives or working lives, as long as every person shows a little gratitude, tolerance, and understanding in their day to day dealings with others, every day can be a good day and they can be just as happy as they felt on Teachers’ Day!
The simple celebration on Teachers’ Day taught the students an important lesson of respecting their teachers through the tea presentation ceremony. Photo by Nichelle Chan
Principal Audrey Koh gave a final briefing to the students before the celebration started. The little students kept their agreement not to divulge the lineup of activities to their teachers. Photo by Nichelle Chan
Koh thanked her teachers for their contributions and wished them a unique Teachers’ Day. Photo by Nichelle Chan
The first item by the little children was a sign language song. Photo by Nichelle Chan
The handmade cards by the students were the best and most touching gift of the year for the teachers. Photo by Nichelle Chan
After the celebration, CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore (back row, fifth from right) and Deputy CEO Xu Xue You (back row, fourth from right) take a group picture with the teachers. Photo by Nichelle Chan
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