Though not a direct comparison with the incident between Miss Caroline Fisher and Scout, I feel that this personal incident of mine should be mentioned. A skeleton kept in the closet; an incident that only a few people knew. I believe that this is the first time in 6 years that I am mentioning this incident to anyone. Once again, I emphasise the fact that I was still fairly immature at that period of time.
When I was in Primary 3, on a very occasional day where my form teacher was absent, our class was split into a few groups and joined the other classes for lessons during the one hour- lesson. Coincidentally and unfortunately, I was one of those few who joined the class 306, where the strictest teacher and person I had ever known taught that class. Ms Wong, in her mid 40s, had black curly hair and dressed more like a typical aunty who went to the wet market than a teacher (yes, I remember how she looks vividly, I am not making this up).
On that fateful day which I would never forget, Ms Wong had asked us to get out from our seats and seat on the floor to listen to her "lecture" on some Math topic. As I was feeling very bored, I conversed with my friend about the Math questions on the workbook as we gathered to the front of the class. To my surprise, Ms Wong shouted and pointed at me, and asked me what I was talking about. I replied that I did indeed talk to my friend but I was discussing about the Math questions. Looking at me in disbelief, she picked up a piece of paper and a pair of scissors and began snipping. I was curious at what she was planning to do.
I don't think anyone can predict what happened next. Ms Wong looked admiringly at her "accomplishment" - a paper mask. She asked me to wear that paper mask and stand in front of the whole class for an hour. I was thoroughly shocked and chills of horror passed through my spine. I obediently did as I was told to do so. Tears literally flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably like a flowing pipe, I felt my pride and reputation as a "model pupil" dropped to rock bottom in a single lesson. That single hour seemed like an eternity to me. At the end of the whole traumatic experience, some students even snitched on me and gloated with no signs of shame on their faces. Though you might think that I was exaggerating the whole thing, you will never know how I really felt during the actual incident.
The emotional trauma that I faced scarred me permanently for life. To redo the damage would probably take a miracle to happen. You might wonder why I am such an introvert, now you know the real reason why.
I welcome any comments or criticisms of the above recount.
*All events and characters in the recount above are nothing but the truth.
Dear Ivan,
ReplyDeleteI believe everyone will appreciate the fact that you opened up your own personal life in your childhood.
After being acquaintances for more than three years and good friends for more than one, I have already known you quite a bit. Also, from the fact that you were a model student, I know that you are a responsible pupil who takes pride in every piece of work you hand in.
However, this teacher of yours is totally inhumane and a meanie! Her line of thoughts is really illogical.
If a student does homework from other subjects, I guess a teacher has the right to punish the student. However, the fact that the questions you were discussing was related to her lecture and her own subject, I see absolutely no reason why you are not allowed to do so in class.
We have all been through the stage of childhood. At nine years old, our hearts and confidence are undergoing moulding. Events that happen during that point in time have extremely great effects on what personality we are going to have - be it good or bad effects.
I do not comprehend how a teacher would cause such humiliation to a student who is just nine years old and exhibits such great interest in the subject she is teaching! Should teachers not nurture students with potential and passion for the subject, instead of punishing them for moving beyond the syllabus they are teaching?
In conclusion, I really empathise with your unforgettable experience. This Ms Wong should be totally ashamed of herself, for she is not even fit to be a teacher, whose sole responsibility is to educate children!
Best Regards,
Nathan :)
Dear Nathan,
ReplyDeleteAlthough what you say may be correct, I forgot to mention something in my post.
In Primary 6, after changing school, I reflected upon the incident. Though I may feel that what the teacher did was wrong and "irresponsible", I emphatised with the teacher a little.
As I was the "victim" of the incident, I could understand the feelings and thoughts of the teacher. The reason why I only reflected on that incident only in Primary 6 was because I was not brave enough to face the issue and instead hide like a coward.
The teacher behaved the way she did due to loads of stress and the environment. She adapted to her environment by changing her means of teaching. The school was a neighbourhood one and I am sure you understand the dark side of these schools. The teacher carried out such an act because it was her "perceived way of teaching that was most benificial to the majority of the student population". She did so because that was what her class "forced her to do".
She was a direct comparison with my own form teacher, who was kind and good-tempered. Again, the behaviour of my form teacher was directly related to the students of the class. My class in Primary 2 was considered one of the best few while the class that Ms Wong taught was on the other side of the scale.
There is another story after this incident regarding my interaction with my form teacher and my classmates. It talks about the consequences of the cause stated above in my post.
Regards,
Ivan
Dear Ivan,
ReplyDeleteWow, it is really amazing that you can take a step back to reflect about something so horrible and still empathise with the teacher ("perpetrator").
Yes, indeed. She may be a neighbourhood school teacher, she may be a teacher of a weaker class, she may be a teacher who is facing much stress.
But does that give her any right to vent her stress on her students? A nine-year-old student, mind you. She is a teacher, and she ought to know that her actions make a great impact on her students.
This Ms Wong seriously ought to reflect on her actions. I am totally surprised that even a person like her was qualified to be a teacher.
Maybe she should reflect on her teaching style. It must have been boredom and torture listening to her lesson that even a good student like you began discussing about other questions.
Best Regards,
Nathan =D