The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book

Yesterday was teacher's day. Thus this is a belated post. In my solid 16 years of schooling, I have been acquainted with many educators who of course have played roles (be it in petty ways or bigger ones) in shaping my life.

American anchor, Dan Rather once said, "The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth."

Does such teacher truly exists? Sure I have came across some very good, dedicated teachers along the way, but I have yet to find one who really believes in her/his students' dreams, who assists them to really accomplish that dream they dream. Is it just me who is not lucky enough, or is this the problem of our education system?

Our education system hanya amat menekankan kepada pendidikan berunsurkan peperiksaan, dan pemperkasaan jati diri hanyalah dalam kegiatan2 kokurikulum. I was watching Boston Public the other day and was so intrigued by the way the Latino teacher taught History. They actually had a debate with the students playing roles as countries' leaders. That is one hell of a good method. And I don't find it anywhere in Malaysia. Or at least not in where I had my didikan.

But teachers, they are undoubtedly to be thanked. And I'd like to take this belated opportunity to thank all the great educators that have taught me, from my Tadika Sempurna days, to my SKTSG years (plus S.A. Tabiyah Islamiyah), to my STF good old days, sehingga kini di UiTM Law Fac.

Those who really left wonderful prints in my heart:

:: Cik Sarnah, my Std 6 class teacher who really really liked me. I never knew why. She certainly taught me some self esteem.
:: My Quran ustazahs and ustazs. TQ all so much.
:: Cikgu Azli, who is still in contact as he is a family friend.
:: The ever so garang Cik Rosnah.
:: Puan Ramlah. This PE teacher is so loving at heart.
:: Cik Zuraidah. I don't know why. This art teacher hated me for being terlalu suke manjawab. I thought I hated her too. But she really is a good teacher.
:: Puan Bahayah, cikgu Sejarah yang suke pukul org tapi sgt pandai mengajar. I used to despise her hubby though. Pak Yem, you are finally forgiven.
:: Ustazah Ramlah, the nicest and most caring person on earth.
:: Pak Zul, our Physics teacher. Simply for being such a cutie.
:: Pn Kamisah, for never being tired to teach me some Add Math.
:: Extraordinaire lecturer, Prof Darbi, for being such a great thinker.
:: Mr. Maniam, yang sentiasa meninggalkan kelas dengan kata2 motivasi which of course will be held on by most of us forever. I like a teacher who gives me something to take home to think about besides homework.
:: Prof Saodah, for always trying to shape us to be not just a good lawyer, but also a better person inside out.
:: Dan semua lah guru2 yang telah sudi berkongsi ilmu dan pendidikan. Including those who who have incidentally educated me in their own ways.

I'm leaving you with an excerpt from a great writer, Awang Selamat, in his Bisik-Bisik corner in Utusan Malaysia: Hari ini kita dengar macam-macam kecaman terhadap guru. Tapi anak-anak yang cemerlang semakin ramai. Ertinya, guru masih mengajar. Terima kasih cikgu.

Selamat Hari Guru.