Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
I’ve had countless impactful teachers throughout my journey, in all shapes and sizes. From school teachers to friends, parents, acquaintances and online influencers, I cannot simply name a single teacher. Although, as I am writing this after waking up at 1am (which I, rather ironically, do NOT appreciate), one teacher distinctly crops up in my mind: my Year 12 Chinese teacher.
In my final year of high school, I must admit, all of my teachers were excellent in their own right. Each of them taught their courses in a way that’s both accessible and enjoyable, with never really any dull or slow moments (well, except Literature, but that holds a permanent…special place in my heart for a VERY different reason). It’s hard to pick a favourite—in fact, all of my teachers were my favourite teachers of that time! But what stood out most with my Chinese teacher wasn’t her ability to teach the language, but how she made learning feel.
In particular, she made us feel like friends rather than students. With a small class size of just three Year 12s and five accelerated Year 11s, the classroom felt personal and relaxed. And with our timetable differences, Tuesdays left just our Year 12 trio, making those lessons even more memorable.
It wasn’t about the content. It wasn’t about the grammar or vocabulary. It was the laid-back vibe where we could relax. The sound of quiet chatter (or, thanks to ONE student, not-so-quiet “chatter”—we all know who you are, and thanks to you, our ears won’t ever forget either), the comfort of five-minute rests after I’d pulled all-weekers and stayed up the night before, the casual exchanges about our daily lives and chats after class. She showed us videos and pictures on her phone, ones that had nothing to do with the syllabus, but everything to do with understanding the culture.
It reminded me of primary school, where everything was simple and my biggest worry was when it was my turn to answer the class phone. Maybe it’s because Chinese was our second language, and Chinese five-year-olds could probably crush us in Chinese. So in a way, she wasn’t teaching Year 12 high school students; she was teaching five year olds. (And I was probably a four year old, but oh well.) Either way, learning felt natural and easy. She let us be ourselves, blending fun with the lessons in a way that made everything seem effortless yet meaningful.
And while it may have seemed like we weren’t always doing “much”, those moments were some of the most enriching parts of the class. The videos she shared and chats we had, though casual, were deeply connected to Chinese culture, offering insights that went beyond textbook learning. They provided a broader context to the language, helping us see the real-world application of what we were studying in a way that was both engaging and memorable.
But perhaps the most memorable thing I can recall is that my Chinese teacher was one of the very few who saw beyond the surface of my steely exterior. (And, so far, the only one who saw through it to that extent.)
Most people assume I’m arrogant or emotionless, but the truth is, I sometimes find it difficult to express emotions openly. And yet, somehow…she saw right through me.
She’s been, so far, the only teacher who not only recognized my kindness (which I totally don’t try to hide behind logic), but also realized there’s more to me than meets the surface. More times than not, she’s been able to predict what I’m thinking or what my motives are—almost like she can read me. Which, honestly, is kind of terrifying and impressive at the same time, for better or for worse (but I won’t comment on my impending fate here). But it just shows her emotional and interpersonal awareness, as well as her teaching ability.
…Of course, I didn’t articulate this paragraph so openly either.
Thank you for asking me for English help in class, where I can look smarter by explaining “auspicious”.
Thank you for the capybara stress toy graduation gift (which I totally won’t break, of course) that I’ll probably attach to my backpack in college—as a reminder of your kindness and the class we shared—as I continue learning Chinese.
Thank you for seeing through my exterior and recognising the kindness I sometimes struggle to show. (Or, sometimes, “struggle” to show.)
Thank you for being more than just a teacher.
For seeing the real me.
For leaving an unforgettable impact on my life that I’ll carry always.
附言：
老师如果你在看这个，感谢你，但上面的字有点矫情，因为必须得这样。我只是用了些华丽的英语！
不过其实我并没有那么温柔，你应该知道的，别自作多请。
况且，只有懂英文的人看到我的帖子而不看这一段，简直太好笑了，竟然会觉得我真的是那么温柔。(¬‿¬)╭✧