【嚴師】(English writing below)
狀況一：
「李老師，我要學習妳的嚴厲，用在我家孩子的身上。」
「老師，妳講的是什麼嚴厲呀？」
「就是妳對孩子禮貌的堅持啊！」
.
狀況二：
「李老師，妳的學生都很認真！他們大多都有準備《展示與講述》的物品，不像我的班！」
「老師，有好些學生向父母說他們覺得我很兇。」
「兇也有兇的好啊！」
.
我就讀大學時，為了繳學費，開始教補習。在當空姐時，義務教些貧困孩子補習。卸下空姐的衣裳後，曾當任小學的代課老師。做生意時，仍爲清寒學子免費補習，伸手拉他們一把。
成為風水命理師後，我依然還在教小朋友，只是選擇在語言中心兼職教華文。
我的一生，已經離不開教育了，不是賦予大人智慧，就是灌溉我們國家未來的主人翁。
我，樂此不疲。
大人小孩都說我嚴格。
我說：「教不嚴，師之惰」
大人小孩都說我很講究禮貌。
我常說：「你再聰明，考得再多的A，如果沒有禮貌，仍然沒有用。在李老師的眼裡，你依然是不合格的。」
這番話，我同樣用在大人的身上。
我堅持⋯⋯
每個孩子走進我的課室，要主動向老師問好，不是大搖大擺地晃進來，漫不經心地把書包丟在地上。
交上本子時，要放整齊，要有次序排列，不能為了搶「頭香」而爭先恐後。
向老師說「謝謝」時，眼睛要看著老師。
我天生眼睛生得大，臉又長得酷，一個眼神往往就會讓小朋友和一些大人「毛骨悚然」......
（個人抗議：其實不少老師同事說我教學很溫柔哦！）
其實，有時所謂的「嚴厲」，只是非常非常基本的尊師重道。
只是很多父母和師長每天都在「趕場」，沒暇堅持這方面的教育，就草率地以孩子的好成績，來衡量自己的盡責與成功。
重視孩子禮儀的我，就這樣被冠上「嚴師」的頭銜。
對李老師必須有禮貌，不是因為李老師傲慢或高高在上。
禮貌，是個人愛心的延伸，愛護他人、不傷害眾生的一種行為，也是學習謙卑、包容、忍辱的基礎。
真心地對人有禮，是善，是很好修福報的機會，日行多善啊！
把錢留給孩子，錢總會有用完的一天。
把最好的現代教育給於孩子，也無法擔保孩子將來就能好吃好住好開心。
把好的價值觀，輸入在孩子的心田裡，福慧綿綿，走到哪裡，這孩子必得貴人多助、神鬼欽敬、逢凶化吉。
但我必須說，父母本身得是這樣的「咖」才行。如果口是心非，孩子也不會聽。
我選擇教華文，不是為了孩子的聽說讀寫能力而已，而是希望把我們這中華文化的道德精神傳承下去。
這種精神在英文的世界裡是「查無此人」的。
我不是什麼大人物，每天也仍在學習。但小小的「嚴師」，也能為母國做出些許「國泰民安」的貢獻、培育國家棟樑、報答國恩。
同時，我想也算是，與身為忙碌家長的同胞們「同甘共苦」吧！😄
親愛的讀者，你說對嗎？
#SG53 #新加坡生日快樂
........
Situation 1:
"Teacher Lee, I want to learn your strictness and apply it on my child at home."
"Teacher, what strictness are you referring to?"
"The way you emphasize courtesy in the students!"
.
Situation 2:
"Teacher Lee, your students are so conscientious. Most of them brought the props needed for their Show & Tell, unlike my class!"
"Teacher, quite a few students told their parents they find me fierce."
"There are advantages to being fierce!"
.
When I was an undergrad, I gave tuition to pay my uni fees. While as a stewardess, I tutored some underprivileged children for free. After landing for good, I worked as a relief teacher in primary schools.
During my entrepreneurial days, I continued lending a helping hand and tutored impoverished students at no fee.
Now as a Chinese Metaphysics practitioner, I am still teaching young children part-time in a Chinese language school.
Education is a big part of my life. If I am not imparting wisdom to my adult clients, I am nurturing the future masters of our country.
I deeply enjoy what I do and never tire of it.
Both adults and children say that I am stern.
I say, "To teach without severity, is the teacher's laziness.
Both adults and children say I am particular about manners.
I often tell my students, "No matter how smart you are, no matter how many As you scored, intelligence without good manners is useless. In my eyes, you still do not make the cut."
The same applies to adults.
I insist...
That every child who walks into my classroom should greet the teacher first, and not swagger in and throw the school bag on the floor.
That the child should be neat and orderly when handing in their exercise books, and not be unruly, as if they are rushing to offer the first incense at Guan Yin temple.
That the child should look at the teacher in the eyes when saying a "Thank You".
I was born with big eyes and a cool face. A glance from me is often enough to send "shivers" to the children, and some adults...
(Protest... many fellow teachers say my teaching mannerism is rather gentle...)
Actually being "strict" in these ways form only the very basic of Teacher-Pupil etiquette.
A pity that many parents and teachers are always rushing to fulfill the many roles in their own lives, this aspect of education has been neglected. They use the academic performance of a child as the only yardstick of their success as a parent/teacher.
As a result of my emphasis on a child's etiquette, I am regarded as a strict teacher.
Showing respect to Teacher Lee is not because the teacher is arrogant and demands respect.
Good manners is an extension of one's love for another life - to protect all lives and not hurt others. Being courteous also forms the basis of humility and equanimity.
Treating others with sincerity and etiquette is a virtuous act, and a great opportunity to cultivate merits of fortune everyday.
Willing your wealth to your children does not mean the inheritance can last forever.
Giving the best modern education to your child does not guarantee that he will live and eat well, and be happy.
Inculcating the child with the right values will infuse virtues and wisdom in him. He will be assisted by benefactors and be respected by devas and ghosts , averting misfortunes in his life.
But I must say, the parents must match their words with actions, failing which the child will not learn.
I chose to teach Mandarin not just to improve the oratory and literacy skills of the children, but also to progpoagate the moral teachings of our Chinese culture into their little minds.
This spirit is not found in the English language.
I am a nobody. I am still learning everyday.
However, my small role as a "strict teacher" can still contribute to the peace and prosperity of my motherland and build the next generations of pillars for the country.
I also see it as sharing weal and woe with my fellow countrymen, who are busy parents. 😁
My dear readers, do you agree with me?
#SG53 #OnepeopleOnenationOneSingapore
