October 18th, 2012
A teacher’s worst nightmare
These are some of the updates I posted on Facebook recently so thought I’d just put them here too.
Last week, something horrifying and traumatizing happened, and it’s especially scarier now that i’m a teacher so i feel like a parent to all my kids.
After choral speaking practice, the kids left and went back home. I drove out to get lunch and I saw a crowd a little further down the road from school. I rolled my window down to ask if anyone needs a ride, and the sight that greeted me back shocked me so much my heart stopped.
He was then rushed to the hospital in a further town because he suffered memory loss as well. He was riding his bike when he lost control, and he was flung out of it and hit his head on the lamp post.
I will never forget the look of fear and pain in his eyes, the blood on his long eyelashes, him softly saying “tolong…tolong…tolong” despite us being in the clinic already. Just thinking about it gives me the lump in my throat. I really hope he gets well soon!
Before I went in the house, all my kids who were already there rushed out to warn me of how gory his face was. I cringed but rushed in to see him, and found him sitting sadly on the couch. His face was indeed a mess – he had seven stitches on his forehead, three on his lips. His lips were swollen to three times its size and he’d lost a few teeth. His whole body was covered with wounds as well, and he can’t walk nor move much. He also broke a rib.
He was clearly very very down and sad. The first thing he said to me was “Teacher, sorry saya tak dapat pergi choral speaking (sorry I couldn’t go choral speaking)”
When I heard that I was so freaking sad!!! This kid just went through a really bad time and all he thought of was upsetting me. The conversation moved on to his accident, to road safety etc but then he said again:
“Teacher how was the choral practice?”
“Teacher, I’m sure everyone will perform well”
“Teacher, I wish I could join choral”
Again and again. I was so touched I wanted to cry. Even thinking about it again makes me want to cry. I told him that the spot is still open for him but he doesn’t have to perform, I just want him to go and see his friends perform, provided of course if he’s healthy enough. His mom who was there was happy and said she gives her consent for me to bring him out. His eyes lighted up and he said he really wants to go. Everyone who was there clapped and cheered. It was such a joyous moment T__T
“Teacher, do you think people at the event will laugh at my face?”
“No way, I’ll laugh at THEIR face if they do” (I know I’m such a bad role model hahah)
Then after a while, he said: “Teacher, thank you for saving me. I heard you asking me to wake up wake up don’t sleep. I couldn’t remember whose voice was that but now I remember”
T______________T I had to tahan macho cos so many students were there but I was really touched. I kept looking at him and smiling cause he looked SOOO sad but then he started tearing so I teared too wtf *weak
Then I remembered that I’m a teacher and I should be stern and all so I gave him (and other kids) a good lecture on road safety and how he’s been given another chance at life and how he should appreciate it and how hard his mom raised him and so on. After being a teacher, I’ve learned to spin a ton of moral values out of any situation. If I take SPM Moral again, I’d have gotten A1 for sure this time!
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well, i haven’t lived for long, but i have seen a few emotional scenes.
Ouchh!!! i hope he’ll get well soon enough to see his friends perform at the choral speaking competition…
Omy…felt like crying when i read this entry.and acty u’re such a good writer.
right place at the right time!!
Dear suet lee thank u for posting this n reminding me of how fragile life is and how students can really cling n get that soft spot in our hearts. I’m reading this in sch n yes I almost teared up too. Thank u again
This entry bring tears into my eyes. SO PROUD OF WHAT U DID
i read this during work, and i started tearing..and had to tell my colleagues i just yawned wtf.
T_T rooting fr teacher suet!
;__; after reading this i also want to cry!
it’s a bad bad bad idea for a menstruating woman to read this post T______________T
Very touched by your caring for your kids which goes beyond the classroom.
You have made the world a better place by your little acts of kindness.
Reading this made my day and fills me with hope and to spread kindness.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey as a teacher. They are very lucky to have you not just as their teacher but also their support.
Thank u for making a difference. Who knows how many ppl out there really need this. Kudos cikgu suet!
Very scary, but you handled yourself well
good for you
This is too touching. I get teary while reading this. Go, Cikgu Suet!
Your life as a teacher is like a prayer. Touching lives and giving hope. When you reach out to your kids and families, it is like you answer a heart’s yearning which might not be uttered because it is beyond imagination why a stranger from afar comes into their lives.
I don’t think any one of them would have thought you have come not only to teach but so concerned for them, let alone meeting you in their lives.
Wow. You are one of the kindest person around.No words can say how much you really mean to those students. Wish there are more people like you around. In case if you need any help or donations for the student, just let me know, ya. God bless you.
You did good, Cikgu Suet! I almost teared up too. And I’m at office!OMG! *TAHANNNNN*
I came across your blog today and love reading about your life as a teacher in Malaysia! It’s really encouraging to read x
Thanks chegu. Brings back memories of how important we are to our extended family – our kids in school. You have been on my blogroll. Keep the flame alight….teachers like you are hard to come by these days…. I am told by friends in education.
Suet Li!!! I’m so proud of you for being macho. lol.
seems like you’re a good inspiration to your students and also your blog readers. Best wishes to you and teaching career.
i really salute u, babe! for a girl like u, glamourous, exciting, fashionable, can be so dedicated to ur work as a teacher, which often to be thought, boring and dull. furthermore in a kampung which has no life at all. u r the man! my first few years in rural was hell.
i just teared reading this entry (in the office no less). ur gesture and writing move mountains