LETTERS: Many teachers would agree that being an educator last year was not the easiest. We were thrown in the deep end, filled with anxiety and questions — how can we conduct lessons virtually? What about students with no Internet access? What happens if schools never reopen?
Personally, one of the most difficult challenges was dividing time between teaching, engaging with students, carrying out administrative tasks and self-care. Others had to also take on an additional role as a parent to their little ones at home.
Here, I learned that self-care is essential for my wellbeing and to be an effective educator, I have to know how to regulate my own emotions and mental health before caring for my students and fellow teachers.
This has also made me realise the importance of our roles in providing students with the right tools and endless support to navigate through an unprecedented year.
At the height of the pandemic last year, many students faced issues studying online due to poor Internet connection and not having enough electronic devices.
In fact, more than one-third or 36.7 per cent of students in the country had no access to electronic devices at all, while others had to miss classes as they were required to help their families stay afloat.
As frontliners of the education system, teachers need to build a good relationship with students by caring for them as individuals and human beings, instead of learners.
This will help inspire and spark students' interest in the lessons taught, whatever the means may be.
It is also truly fascinating to observe how senior teachers learned to adopt technology as the pandemic has become an opportunity for educators and students to develop information technology skills.
We need to revamp our mindset towards what education is and strengthen our roles in providing greater emphasis on life skills.
From the beginning, educators have been seen as the pillar to build a resilient and empowered generation.
In today's pandemic world, it has become essential for teachers to collaborate by pooling resources and expertise to enhance students' learning experience in project-based learning.
That way, students will be more adaptable in the face of a setback and empowered to continuously find solutions to any difficulties or crisis.
As educators, we need to remind ourselves and recognise the opportunities given to continue providing lessons for students and nurture self-development.
For instance, shifting the focus from an educator, whose traditional role is to provide materials for students, to take on the role of a facilitator instead.
Through this, students can increase their confidence in adopting technology, gain digital intelligence and learn how to be resourceful with the information at hand.
My time as a secondary school teacher has ended too quickly, but I am extremely privileged to have the support of Fellows in Teach For Malaysia and 3M, who helped sponsor my time in teaching science to my 150 students.
I am determined to walk hand-in-hand with all educators in teaching. There are many activities and lessons to be shared.
For example, bringing more exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as exposing students to real-life issues and topics, such as sustainable development goals, peace ideals and global issues.
Today, many youth leaders and inspiring figures are finding new ways to make tomorrow better, and I believe teachers are the gateway to those possibilities.
Lin Tan Yen Tzing
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times