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Ms May Tai Nyeok Moi enjoying some outdoor time with some of her preschoolers. (Photo by Chan May Ching)
Some memories last forever, and for Ms May Tai Nyeok Moi, Tzu Chi Singapore Head of Education Services, this was one that will probably remain firmly etched in her mind for the rest of time. After all, it was a moment which potentially altered the course of her entire life.
Back in 1978, Ms Tai was a budding primary two school student new to the outside world. Having come from a humble family background in Malaysia, life had not been easy on her. From a tender age of five, the middle child in a family of five siblings had to take on the duty of doing housework at home, with the washing of clothes placed under her responsibility. Life, as she described, was a mundane routine for her, with her days spent alternating between housework and school work.
Given that her family was struggling to make ends meet at that time, money was scarce and things such as entertainment or presents were out of the question for her during childhood. The extent of her family’s dire financial situation was perhaps best summed up by the fact that they had to buy their groceries on credit and only had enough to make payment come the end of the month. Faced with all these difficulties from a young age, it made the subsequent life-changing moment even more special for her.
As a primary school student who did well academically in school then, she had come second in a class of more than 40. As a form of reward and encouragement, her form teacher gifted her a rabbit coin bank. It was a simple gesture at that time but for Ms Tai, that was undoubtedly the moment which positively impacted the rest of her life. More than 40 years have passed since but the gift is still kept safely in her home up till today. While it might come across as an inconspicuous item to many, it meant more than just a physical gift to her. It was a representation of her teacher’s care and concern. And because of this inspiring teacher, she made the pledge to go down the noble path of teaching right from that tender age.
“At that time, being able to receive a teacher’s present was a big thing. No one had ever given me a present because my family was very poor. That was why I treated it like something very precious and have been able to maintain it up until now,” the 52-year-old shared.
“My teacher at that time was very fierce but she really took care of the students. If you did well, she would encourage you. She was a very responsible teacher and I wanted to be one like her.”
Receiving this rabbit coin bank as a gift from her primary school form teacher proved to be a key turning point in Ms Tai’s life. (Photo by Tai Nyeok Moi)
Chasing Her Teaching Dream
Fueled by the ambition to become a teacher, she did not look back after that, giving her all to fulfill her dream. Along the way, several obstacles crept up. After completing her SPM, the equivalent of O-level in Malaysia, her mother asked her to choose between going out to work to support the family or to continue her studies at the expense of her younger sister’s education. At that point, Ms Tai was already working in a factory in Singapore while waiting for her examination results. Faced with the dilemma of deciding between her younger sister’s education and her own, she chose to sacrifice and continue working.
However, the fire in her belly was never extinguished as she remained determined to make the most out of her life. After working for a year, she saved enough and decided to return to her hometown in Malacca to further her studies. She then moved on to study at a teaching college, becoming a primary school teacher in Johor Bahru (JB) at the age of 25 upon graduation. Three years into the job, she was promoted to be the discipline master of her school.
Despite having to stop studying to support her family, Ms Tai (right) never gave up and eventually graduated from teaching college to become a teacher. (Photo provided by Tai Nyeok Moi)
While she left her full-time teaching job of more than a decade later on to follow her husband to Singapore in 2006, several learning pointers that she picked up over the course of her teaching career are still kept closely to her heart up till today.
“My key takeaway from teaching is the importance of the circle of love. Regardless of the child’s background, love and care are very important for growth. By being good to them, I hope they will also treat others well when they grow up,” Ms Tai explained.
The stint as her school’s discipline master had also left a profound impact on her, influencing how she carried herself as a person as well as further highlighting the importance of the right form of education.
“At that time, I felt that as the discipline master, I had to do things well and be a role model. From handling a lot of children issues, I saw how the method of education could result in a change in their behaviours. That’s why parents play a very important role as children spend more time with them,” she added.
Through conversation with her, one could tell the vast experience and knowledge that she possessed. She had also clearly left a positive impact as an educator, and this was perhaps best exemplified by her ex-students’ accounts of her.
Mr Ng Loong is one of the students who she still keeps in touch with. Having been his Primary 6 form teacher back in 1997, he remembered her as a teacher who was different from the rest. At that time, Mr Ng was among the most badly behaved students in school. Smoking, fighting and playing truant were just some of the misdeeds that he had already committed by the age of 12. With his class notorious for being the worst in the level, many teachers had already written them off as no-hopers but not Ms Tai.
“We were the lousiest class so she needed to teach with a lot more effort and patience. But she never gave up on us. Out of all my teachers, I can remember her best,” the 37-year-old Mr Ng recalled fondly.
One of his best memories of Ms Tai came about when he was 14. Having already graduated from primary school at that point, he had gotten himself involved in a motorcycle accident, sustaining rather serious injuries. With his family not in the best financial situation to cope with the costly hospital bills, he went about seeking help from relatives and friends. At one of the lowest points in his life, Ms Tai was one of those he contacted and she duly came forward to help with some of his living expenses without any hesitation.
Mr Ng was not the only one who benefited from his teacher’s kindness. Another one of his fellow classmates also spoke of Ms Tai in similar glowing terms. Mr Chong Gwo Woei recalled how she would be there for every student in the class, even taking money out of her own pocket to buy food for those who might not have eaten enough. In his eyes, she was responsible, hardworking and someone who truly cared for her students.
He shared: “Even after coming out to society to work, I still remember the kindness of teacher. The reason is because during that year in school, my father passed away and she was there for me, giving plenty of encouragement. Of all the teachers who have taught me, I might not necessarily like them all but she is one who has left a deep impression.”
Mr Ng Loong (bottom row, first from right) and Mr Chong Gwo Woei (second row, third from right) were both taught by Ms Tai (bottom row, fourth from right) back in 1997. (Photo provided by Tai Nyeok Moi)
Introduction to Tzu Chi
With Ms Tai so fully immersed in the education sector, it is no surprise that it was through a Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association activity where she was first introduced to the organisation. Back in 1997, along with several other teachers from her school, she attended a week-long training camp which aimed to help the teachers integrate the wisdom-laden Jing Si Aphorisms into their lessons. Through this camp, she was left in awe by what was taught and it marked the start of her journey towards being a full-fledged Tzu Chi volunteer.
“It was quite touching as I didn’t know that we could be teachers of such high quality. This quality refers to the teaching quality in the children’s development and character building. Most importantly, it’s about teaching them with a mother’s love and as though they are your own,” she shared.
Ms Tai (third from right) posing with her fellow teachers at a week-long training camp in Taiwan organised by the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association. (Photo provided by Tai Nyeok Moi)
Impressed by the warmth and effort shown by Tzu Chi volunteers, she went on to serve as a volunteer in various areas, including joining home visits and environmental activities. But it was through participating in Tzu Chi’s education mission programmes where she truly displayed her capabilities and had a platform which allowed her years of teaching experience to shine through. Her personal belief in the power of education in determining one’s destiny and character was perfectly complemented by the Tzu Chi education style which placed a strong emphasis on morals and values.
So after she relocated to Singapore with her family in 2006, she started to get involved as a volunteer teacher for the monthly Parent-Child Bonding Class. Additionally, she also took charge of the Seeds of Hope bursary programme. Under this programme, volunteers would provide care and support for underprivileged children, even personally showing up at their schools to deliver meal coupons.
Ms Tai (right) volunteering as an emcee alongside her daughter at the Seeds of Hope bursary disbursement ceremony at Jing Si Hall in Singapore. (Photo by Ng Sher Lin)
Given her heavy involvement in driving the organisation’s education mission, she was subsequently asked to take up the mantle of leading the Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool in 2016. Without a second thought, she accepted the role and dived straight into it.
Having been on the job for more than six years now, she now comes across to onlookers as someone who has always been a natural fit for it. But it wasn’t the case when she first started her tenure. Despite her rich experience in the education sector, there were a multitude of challenges that she had to overcome at the beginning. Being a native Malaysian Chinese where she was less accustomed to using English in her daily life, mastering the language for work purposes at the preschool was one of her biggest initial struggles. There was a great need for being proficient in the language as part of communications with government agencies as well as her staff who hailed from different countries.
“At the start, I actually cried for a few days. I was very much pressured as my English was not good. Writing or reading was alright but conversation was the hardest because I’m not used to speaking English,” Ms Tai explained.
Up against this daunting hurdle, she could have chosen to throw in the towel and walk away. But the thought of giving up never crossed her mind as she sought ways to improve herself by attending external English classes on her own accord. As a firm believer in the benefits of education, she also went on to take her Master of Business Administration (MBA) to equip herself with new knowledge on how to better manage the people under her charge.
She said: “For me, I’m willing to take hardship. I’m not the kind to run away at the first sign of problems. That’s not my character. Because of my growing up environment, I don’t give up easily.”
Ms Tai (second from left) began participating in various Tzu Chi volunteer activities in JB and continued on after moving to Singapore in 2006. (Photo provided by Tai Nyeok Moi)
Ms Tai’s strong belief in lifelong learning saw her complete her master’s at the age of 51. (Photo provided by Tai Nyeok Moi)
Driven by Passion
Having witnessed herself grow immensely on both personal and professional fronts through continuous learning, Ms Tai is acutely aware of the merits of education. Thus, she hopes to pass it forward by doing the best she can in her current role. Under her leadership, there are now two Tzu Chi preschools in Singapore, with a vision for more in the near future. She hopes that the Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool can one day be a household name in the country. And it is this dream that drives her to work every single day in spite of all the challenges.
“My motivation comes from my passion in education. There are also low moments, such as when I don’t manage people well. I will feel down for sure but for me, it is just a test and after that, I will let it go,” she shared.
Her positive mentality is certainly commendable and she credits it to the presence of Tzu Chi and its teachings. She has made it a point to wake up at dawn every day to listen to Tzu Chi founder Master Cheng Yen’s teachings. Through this, it has brought her calm and strength to take on her daily challenges.
She explained: “Tzu Chi has showed me where the value of life is at. It has helped me find a direction and not just fumble through life, get married and have children, that’s it.
“It has also helped me develop as a person internally. I have very few troubles as I realised that there is no point worrying. If things happen, it will happen. My environment hasn’t changed, but I can now switch my mindset easily and face the problems if there are any.
“Master (Cheng Yen) always tells us to eliminate our affliction. I have been inspired to be a better person.”
Ms Tai (second row, fifth from left) celebrating Teacher’s Day with the Tzu Chi teaching staff under her charge. (Photo by Chan May Ching)
A quote from American spiritual teacher Ram Dass goes by: “Information is just bits of data. Knowledge is putting them together. Wisdom is transcending them.” For Ms Tai who has been aware of the importance of learning since a very young age, she has undoubtedly reaped numerous benefits from constantly seeking knowledge at every opportunity over the years. The person she is today is markedly different from the timid five-year-old back then who was seemingly resigned to her fate. Through education, it allowed her to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher, simultaneously lifting her out of her impoverished family situation.
Her relentless thirst for knowledge is admirable and it has transcended far beyond just books. With the influence of Tzu Chi’s teachings, great bits of wisdom have also been passed on to her, positively shaping her perspective on life. While her teaching days might be over for the time being, she hopes to continue inspiring and educating the next generation in her leadership role with Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool. As someone who came from humble beginnings, it has not been an easy journey for her to get to where she is today. But it is precisely because of the challenges which have made her life experiences so rich. Thus, we can be assured that these children will be in good hands.
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