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Teacher
Profile
Lim Xiang Yi Malaysia

GEMS International School of Pearl City, Penang

“With the mindset to share for a good
cause and make a difference in others’
life, I turned to education and have Preschool Education
stayed in the field until now, still proud
and loving what I am doing.”
As many international schools
offer preschool education, this
section provides some insight into

Subjects Taught my numerous interactions with students. Through the importance of an early years
Secondary Global Perspectives sharing and exchanging ideas with students I have education and choosing the right
become familiar with a broad range of ideas. Such school for your preschooler.
How long have you been teaching? activities have also served to build rapport with
9 years. them to create a secure and comfortable learning
atmosphere.
Why did you become a teacher?
I have been admiring the concept ‘Pay It Forward’ after What is the best thing about teaching
watching the movie in 2009 and wanting to contribute at your school?
to the community. However, I could not find enough This is my sixth year in GEMS and I am still
satisfaction and self-worth being a translator after learning. From meeting new people from different
graduation. places and backgrounds, attending professional
development training, to being offered new roles
With the mindset to share for a good cause and and positions, the learning opportunities provided
make a difference in others’ life, I turned to education by the school have been a huge motivation to me.
and have stayed in the field until now, still proud and
loving what I am doing. The wonderful people whom I have been meeting –
the school leaders, colleagues, students, and families
Tell us about your own education journey. add spice to my work life too.
I did not graduate as a teacher, but as a translator.
With my love of languages, I taught English in a local Who or what inspires you?
private school while pursuing my MEd degree in Nelson Mandela – ‘Education is the most powerful
TESL. A beautiful meeting by chance later brought weapon which you can use to change the world.’
me to GEMS where I continued to develop as a
professional teacher and leader via the internal and Tell us about your online teaching experience.
external trainings/CPDs provided. Did you face any challenges?
Just like others, my online teaching experience
What is the most memorable moment has been bumpy, yet I managed to sharpen my
in your teaching career so far? questioning skill to encourage more student
As much as I wish my students would apply the engagement during lessons.
knowledge and skills they acquired in school, seeing
them involved in charities to ‘pay it forward’ pleases The only challenge that I am still facing is that of
me more. trying to improve the mental health and general
wellness of students’ during this difficult time.
My last advice to my students on their graduation has Whenever I think of how the pandemic has impacted
been the same throughout my teaching life, ‘Of all the adults, I cannot get rid of that picture in my mind of
things you can be, be kind.’ If they are kind enough to young minds struggling too.
themselves and people around them, happiness will
follow. What lessons did you learn in 2020?
The importance of shaping students to learn
What do you like most about teaching? independently. To achieve this, children first need
I am one of those teachers who enjoys learning to be introduced to hobbies and interests from a
from students, with students, and for students. As young age.
a passionate life-long learner, I have benefitted from

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