Cover Cheryl Ann Fernando, Founder of Pemimpin GSL. Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach for Malaysia, and Samuel Isaiah, former English teacher and Gen.T honouree (2021)
Cheryl Ann Fernando, Founder of Pemimpin GSL. Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach for Malaysia, and Samuel Isaiah, former English teacher and Gen.T honouree (2021)
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On this Teacher’s Day, we honour educators who shape future generations and reflecting on the profound lessons they’ve learned
On this special Teacher’s Day, we take a moment to honour the unsung heroes who shape the future—our teachers. They are the architects of society, crafting the minds and hearts of the next generation with patience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to their students.
The impact of a teacher extends far beyond the confines of the classroom; their lessons resonate through the years, influencing lives and fostering growth. To shed light on these experiences, we spoke to three influential figures in the education sector—Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach for Malaysia, Samuel Isaiah, former English teacher and Gen.T honouree (2021), and Cheryl Ann Fernando, Founder of Pemimpin GSL.
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Cheryl Ann Fernando, Founder, Pemimpin GSL
Above Cheryl sees teachers grappling with the unpredictability of the future
Cheryl sees teachers grappling with the unpredictability of the future
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Cheryl Ann Fernando’s most important lesson came from a journalism lecturer who encouraged her to challenge everything she knew and was told. “Although it might sound a bit controversial, just that idea of not taking everything at face value but pushing yourself to think about it and challenge it really helped me to open up my views and understand different perspectives,” Cheryl shares.
Today, Cheryl sees teachers grappling with the unpredictability of the future. “You are preparing students for jobs that don’t even exist yet. So how do you equip them with the skills they need to be competent enough to secure jobs that we don’t even know what these jobs are?” she muses. Despite these uncertainties, she believes Malaysian teachers are doing great work, showing immense dedication and effort every day for their students.
Chan Soon Seng, CEO, Teach for Malaysia
Above Chan Soon Seng’s most memorable lesson came from a professor who redefined creativity for him
Chan Soon Seng’s most memorable lesson came from a professor who redefined creativity for him
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For Chan Soon Seng, the most memorable lesson came from a professor who redefined creativity. “I always grew up thinking I wasn’t a creative kid because I wasn’t particularly artistic or musical,” Chan recalls. His professor, who taught a course on “teaching creativity,” helped him see creativity in a new light. “It’s a lot to do with creating new ideas and finding new solutions, and it’s a skill that we can teach and all learn to be better at.”
However, Chan acknowledges that today’s educators face significant hurdles. The pandemic has left many students behind, struggling with foundational literacy and numeracy. “These gaps compound over the years, and teachers need to provide significantly differentiated support to make sure no one gets left behind,” he explains.
Beyond academics, teachers also strive to foster students’ mental health, passions, and motivations. In an era of generative AI, preparing students for an unpredictable future requires developing uniquely human skills like empathy, moral judgement, and creativity. Chan emphasises that societal support is crucial for teachers to prioritise these holistic aspects beyond just academic results.
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Samuel Isaiah, Former English teacher and Gen.T honouree (2021)
Above Samuel Isaiah’s emphasises teaching from the heart
Samuel Isaiah’s emphasises teaching from the heart
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Samuel Isaiah’s most impactful lesson came from a teacher who taught him to “teach from the heart.” This teacher’s actions, imbued with love, compassion, empathy, and genuine connection, left an indelible mark on Samuel. “These lessons from her are something I will never forget,” he says.
Samuel highlights the overwhelming expectations placed on teachers today. They are expected to be educators, social workers, innovators, and community problem-solvers. “Despite these demands, many teachers embrace their roles wholeheartedly due to their passion for teaching and dedication to their students,” he notes. However, to sustain this level of commitment, teachers need support that matches their compassion and willingness.
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Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
