Our Teachers’ Lasting Fond Memories of Their Teachers

I had a teacher back in Primary school who only taught me for a few weeks as a cover teacher. Although I cannot recall her name, her face and personality are still crystal clear in my mind. She was incredibly kind and patient, and every child in the class adored her. For a child like me who had always been scared of my teachers and felt like they did not like me, having a teacher like her was so important. Even though the few weeks she was with us were brief, I still reminisce about her lessons to this day and wish she could have been my teacher all through primary school. 

It is a pity I never got to thank her properly for being such a kind teacher. However, I will always remember her and the way she brought calm and a feeling of safety into the classroom. She was more than just an educator. Her impact on me, though brief, was remarkable and she will always hold a special place in my heart and mind. 

Mrs. Rule was my favourite teacher in primary school. She had a genuine love for teaching and always made her lessons enjoyable and engaging. One of my most cherished memories of her was when she organised a classroom play and made sure that every pupil had a role to play. I was a bit nervous about my role, but Mrs. Rule took the time to work with me and helped me to improve my performance. She was patient and encouraging, never once making me feel like I was not good enough. Thanks to her guidance, the play was a success, and I gained more confidence in myself. Mrs. Rule's dedication to her pupils made her stand out as a teacher, and I am grateful for the impact she had on my life. 

My homeroom teacher from primary school has had a strong influence on me. She taught with great detail and cared about her pupils deeply, which profoundly impressed me and inspired my passion for education. She focused on our academic performance, as well as our physical and mental health and overall development. With patience and love, she guided me to discover the joy in learning and the warmth in life. She helped me understand that a good teacher imparts knowledge and protects the innocence of a child. Her example inspired me to pursue a career in education, hoping to become a good teacher and friend in the hearts of my pupils, just like her. 

When it comes to my favourite teacher, what I have in my mind is Ms. Ma in my primary school. She was patient, responsible and kept track of our learning progress. And she would use her own innovative way to solve problems. One of my most cherished memories of her was when she noticed I lost my focus on study. I remembered that she asked me to go to her office and gave me a gift, which was a book. On the first page of that book, she wrote words: A boat sailing against the current must forge ahead or it will be driven back. Then I suddenly knew what she meant. After that, I put my effort into studying and focussed on my lessons, assignments and exams. In the final exam, I become one of the top 3 academic pupils. Thanks to her innovative “gift”, I did not go the wrong way. So that is one of the reasons why I still remember her. Happy Teachers’ Day. 

During my A levels, I was particularly affected by my Media Studies teacher, Mr Jones. He had such passion and dedication to a subject I was interested in, showing the whole class a new side to subjects we liked, opening them up to a level of analysis and appreciation hitherto unexplored. Whether we were making short films, analysing movies, writing articles or planning a promotional campaign, he lit a fire in us that would take many of us through university and into careers in media – though of course, I ended up teaching.  

Several times, my group were so excited by our project that we finished an evening shoot, got home and started editing, pulling all night editing sessions so that we could have a new cut to show him in class the next day. He made such an impact on so many people that, when the news broke a few years ago that he had been killed in a car crash, the outpouring of grief – in the local community and online – was something to behold.  

Mark Jones, you will always be remembered. 

Mrs. Forkan, my A-Level Biology teacher, holds a special place in my heart as my favourite teacher and my inspiration for becoming a teacher myself. She was a tiny, older lady however that was no indication of the larger-than-life enthusiasm she brought to the classroom. She had an extraordinary gift for making biology come alive, transforming into a real-life Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus every lesson. Learning with Mrs. Forkan was never dull; she inspired a love of learning that led to me studying both primary and science education at university. She infused the subject with a sense of wonder and adventure, making even the most complex topics accessible and exciting.  

What set Mrs. Forkan as my favourite teacher was her personal touch and genuine care for her pupils. In our final year, our small A-level Biology class had a unique schedule with double periods on Friday afternoons, a schedule most people would dread. It could easily have been a slog, but Mrs. Forkan turned it into something we eagerly anticipated. She had a tradition of baking delicious treats every Thursday evening, which she would bring in for our long Friday afternoon sessions. Knowing we were her last A-level group before her retirement, she was especially committed to ensuring our success. Her unwavering support and dedication inspired us to strive for the best grades, a testament to the profound impact she had on our academic and personal lives. 

Professor Carsten Roever was my teacher in Second Language Pragmatics and Qualitative Methods in Language studies. He showed me the professional rigour in language teaching, assessment and program evaluation. I found myself on track with my studying experience. Professor Paul Gruba is, however, the rebellious spirit! He would always say to us to abandon the numbers and look further!  

Even though their approach to research might be different, both of them made a great contribution to the linguistics department.

In work, in life, respect our differences. 

Annalisa Monticelli has been more than just a mentor in music; she has been my guiding light, illuminating the path with unwavering support and invaluable opportunities. Her guidance transcends mere instruction, reaching into the realm of inspiration and personal growth. It is because of her profound influence and philosophy that I find myself standing where I am today, on the verge of becoming a teacher myself. 

Her philosophy of teaching, grounded in compassion and rigorous discipline, has not only moulded me as a musician but also inspired me to follow in her footsteps. Annalisa Monticelli is the reason I aspire to extend the same lifeline of guidance and support to my future pupils, just as she did for me. 

I miss Ms Zhang, my science teacher from my first year of junior high. I was enthusiastic and hardworking, yet my grades were just average. Ms Zhang would give me extra lessons every day after school. I vividly recall scoring 113 on a mock exam, which placed me in the top ten of my class. She was so delighted, and her praise was incredibly uplifting. As time passed, Ms Zhang retired due to health concerns, and since then I often felt lost, never achieving such brilliant results in science again. 

Every Teacher's Day, I think of Ms Zhang with a heart full of regret for not keeping her contact information. At the conclusion of my first year of junior high, we left the old campus and moved to a new one, and I never had the chance to meet Ms Zhang again. 

My gratitude towards Ms Zhang is indescribable. I thank her for her encouragement and care. Although I did not excel in science in the end, I saw in her the dedication of a teacher who never gives up on any pupil. Now that I have become a teacher, I continue to uphold the philosophy she embodied: never giving up on any child who falls behind.