I managed to get a caring friend, Zheng Yi, to share her path as a preschool teacher with all of us.  She is a young graduate who venture into early childhood development instead of corporate working life.  I admire her enthusiasm and dedication that she shows in her preschool teaching career.  Our children need dedicated, responsible and caring teachers like her who is sensitive enough to help meet our children real needs in school.   They are angels looking after our child when we can’t be by his side.  Lets enjoy reading her experience…

People around me seem to be surprised when they came to know that I’m working as a preschool teacher. For sure, each time the question of “what do you do?” pop-up, I’ll find myself feeding their curiosity regarding the decision of mine till at times I find myself having doubt in trusting myself either. I’m not a good student back then, what will make me a good teacher now? With that, the conversation usually ends with exaggerating remarks from them such as, “Oh, you must be a caring and loving person!”.

I am still able to recall my very first day of joining a preschool. It was a total disaster. I’m handling baby class then, children cried because of stranger anxiety that made me feel like crying too. Water spilt all over that mess up the classroom and caused a child to slip and fell on the back (expect more tears). One little Dracula bite and the other child were crying in pain. I felt so helpless and sorry; things happened too fast that it is out of my control. Adding on to that, I’ve been kneeling down the whole day, catching and chasing after them, repeating the same old nursery that they requested over and over again but then left you sing alone… I‘m just down disappointed and I really cried when I got home because things are not as what I’ve imagine…

Two years since then, things are getting much better for me now, after realizing that I must prepared myself for the task, it won’t come as it is because we are talking about educating and nurturing the future little men than comes from different background and environment. I learn that I need to have more exposure and access to the expertise as often as possible because often I’ll find myself out of ideas very quickly. As time goes by, I’ve slowly patch up the puzzle. Preschool teacher is so much more than a job. It’s an overwhelming job with long-term consequences for the children. I’m not just a teacher, but also a role model, “jie jie” ( means big sister, as one of my child usually address me as), and caretaker all rolled into one.

The workload might tow me away but it’s the children that I missed the most whenever I move on to another new school. Their little words always help to lighten my day and are carved on my hearts just like footprints left on the shore. They are always so eager to tell you things whenever they see you again. They’ll show their care and concern in a way that will surprise you most. And above all the hard works, I often received hugs as a token of appreciation.

For those who might interested in joining this workforce, it is advice that you get more practical experience, volunteer, work along with team members, get in touch with other teachers to share and exchange ideas will ease all the troubles. Some people might have the general perception of preschool, and most people see preschool as a form of lucrative money-making field (It is not!) neglecting the importance of “life lesson” that will help to prepare the child for their later stage of life.

Sincerely I don’t know if I’m a caring or loving person but I knew that being tied to a desk and working nine to five wasn’t for me. Think about all the children in my class now, someday they’ll think of me just like how I’ve always remembered my first preschool teacher, Mrs. Fong that read stories to me, that sang songs and rhymes to me, and played with me. This is what keep me move on without regrets. I’m glad that I’ve given the opportunity to grow and learn to be part of someone’s childhood. “I’m a preschool teacher.”

So let’s together learn… I’m not teaching you, you’re not teaching me; together we’re going into it deeply. (By J. Krishnamurti)

I am personally touched and enjoyed reading her sharing.  Zheng Yi, thank you for being my guest today.  I hope she is able to share more in the future.

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