Teacher’s True Passion Wins Unexpected Appreciation from UTM Vice-Chancellor

Sabri Ahmad

Cordial discussion between Dr Zaini and Ms. Ooi Mei Gek at Vice Chancellor Office.

JOHOR BAHRU, 30th April 2012:- It never crossed her mind that her short article about the ups and downs of her life as a primary school teacher could brighten up the day of so many people, including that of the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

The article entitled “Proud to be a teacher” published in Sunday Star dated March 25, 2012 records how a school teacher devotes herself to her pupils and copes with challenges within the teaching profession positively and enthusiastically.

In a cordial meeting with the writer, Ms. Ooi Mei Gek from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Daya, Johor Bahru at his office today, UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Zaini Ujang praised the English teacher for being able to remain high-spirited and dedicated, having taught for 25 years.

He said, the society needed more of that type of article in the newspapers and added that he had circulated the article amongst the University Management.

He also said we needed to change the way we used to think, especially when facing undesirable situations.

Sharing her experience throughout her teaching career, Ms. Ooi said a sense of duty to educate and make a difference in the pupils’ life kept her moving forward and motivated. As the Chinese saying goes, “A teacher is the engineer of the soul of humankind”, Ms. Ooi always puts the future and well-being of the children as her priority.

She felt that one should make the best out of a situation, instead of lamenting over difficulties and believed that motivation had to come from within oneself. She likes collecting motivating and inspirational quotes from newspapers to keep herself motivated and stay positive.

The teacher least expected her article would prompt so many positive responses from readers, among others, parents and fellow teachers.

For her, it might just be a short and simple article but the creative description of the various roles she plays happily and sincerely as a teacher is a clear depiction of how positive thinking and attitude, fuelled by true passion, can do wonders in our undertakings.