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.President Siva shared a story related to teaching which he read on the internet.
Mrs Thompson was a teacher in 5th grade class where there was a student named Teddy Stoddard who didn't play with other children, clothes messy, uninterested, etc. She graded most of his papers with a big "F". The time came when she was required to review each child's past records & put Teddy's off til last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
The remarks from past teachers' were as follows:
1st grade teacher: "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."
2nd grade teacher: "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
3rd grade teacher: "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
4th grade teacher: "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realised the problem.
During Christmas, her students brought presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in a brown paper that he got from a grocery store. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it despite children laughing when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs.Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to," After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of smartest children in the class.
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Every few years after that, she got letters from Teddy that he had finished high school, college, university & each time he assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then, the day came when she received a letter where his name was a little longer -- the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. The story doesn't end there. There was yet another letter. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs.Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. Dr. Stoddard told Mrs.Thompson "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, responded "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't really know how to teach until I met you.".
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Word of the Day"Educate"
Table Topics
Siva was the Table Topics Master. Below is the list of speakers and their topics :
1 Ong Chee Aik
Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
2 Suen Eng Kai
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence. -- Robert Frost
3 Yuke Sasmitra (1st time Guest)
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. -- Nelson Mandela
4 Parwinder Singh
"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." -- Edith Ann, [Lily Tomlin]
5 Yeo Poh Lian
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. -- Aristotle
6 Aloysius Lim
Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -- John Cotton Dana
7 Nicodemus Chan
Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one." -- Malcolm Forbes
8 William Tang (Buona Vista TMC)
It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated. -- Alec Bourne
.Prepared Speeches.
P3 - Smile, You are on Candid Camera, by Angeline Lee
P4 - My Virgin Attempt, by Parwinder Singh
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.Special Thanks to:
Kok Yee Keong - Chong Pang TMC, Language Evaluator
William Tang - Buona Vista TMC, P4 Evaluator
Md Taufiq - IFPAS TMC, P3 Evaluator ...and fellow members who have helped out in the roles.
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Best Table Topics Speaker : Parwinder Singh
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