There are several definitions to the word, ‘Hero’. However, to me, a ‘Hero’ does not always need to be the ‘super-hero’ who saves the day in films or cartoons. To me, my definition for the word, ‘Hero’ is the people around me, someone who truly inspires me, someone who has motivated me and made an impact in my life, or perhaps, someone who contributed to the people around him/her without asking for anything in return.
So in this story, I’m going to share about this person, who has made an impact in my life. Although she has only been part of my two years of life, she has left a very deep impression in my mind. She is none other than one of my teachers, Miss Amy Ong. She was my lower secondary school teacher. She was my form-teacher when I was in secondary one and two. I think that these two years of my life was the most memorable part of my life that I would never be able to forget.
I was in the Normal Academic Stream when I first entered my secondary school. When I was in secondary one, my results were not actually very good. Although I kept trying and work hard, my efforts did not seemed to pay off. However, Miss Ong never failed to encourage me. She told me that I can always do better next time and not to give up until the end. At the end-of-year examination in secondary one, I managed to be in one of the top ten positions in my class. I was very happy then. Although it was so, but I told myself that I would be able to do even better the next time round. Miss Ong also told me to strive for better grades.
When I was in secondary two, Miss Ong was still my class form-teacher. I was so glad that I could be in her form class again. I continued to study hard and work hard to improve on my results. I was also given the opportunity to take up leadership roles in secondary two. Soon, I became a student leader in my school. My academic results have all improved and Miss Ong also gave me many opportunities to show my leadership potential. I truly thank her deep down my heart so much that I do not what words to use to express my gratitude.
There was a period of time when I felt so tired that I felt like giving up all my leadership roles. However, whenever I thought of what Miss Ong have once said, ‘never give up until the end’, I would throw away all those negative thoughts of mine. She really has taught me so many life philosophies that I could apply in my life. I truly appreciate her for being my teacher even though it was only part of the short period of two years of my life.
At the end-of-year examinations in secondary two, I told myself that it would be my last chance of going to the Express stream. Thus, I worked even more hard for this wish of mine, keeping in mind of what Miss Ong taught me. Finally, all my hard work had truly paid off this time. My wish came true. When Miss Ong breaks this news to me, I was so happy that words couldn’t describe. She congratulated me and told me that I would have to continue to work much harder than now to maintain the standards.
After a few days she broke this news to me, she broke another news to my class. It was that she would not be teaching anymore and would leave our school to go over to China to work with her future husband. I was so shocked when she said that, and tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. I felt so sad then. I still remembered her saying that people come and go in our lives, and as a new chapter in our lives begins, things will change. All of my classmates were equally sad when she said that she had to leave.
On the last day of school that year, she gave me a small bookmark with some words behind that goes like this:
‘I really appreciate you for who you are. You’ve been a great help to me and I can trust you to carry out tasks efficiently for me.
You truly have made my days in Greendale an enjoyable one.
Remember, believe in yourself and keep that confident spirit. Do not allow negative comments to dampen your spirit. You have great potential to do well in life.
You’ll not be forgotten. Take care and all the best! ‘
In my heart, these words will never ever be forgotten in my life. She had really made an impact in my life in that two years. Lastly, I would like to say this again, ‘Thank you, Miss Ong. ‘