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“Words of Wisdom” is an initiative to document and celebrate the stories, insights, and wisdom of Singapore’s senior citizens. It's powered by Folklory, a service dedicated to preserving stories through audio podcasts, who will collaborate with 60 seniors aged 60 and above to create a series of 60 podcasts, each capturing a unique slice of Singapore’s rich history and culture. Find out more info at Folklory.com
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:24:05
Unknown
Hello there. This is Terence from folkloric. What you're about to listen to is a podcast from the Words of Wisdom Project, where we spoke to 60 Singaporeans over the age of 64 as 60 and captured their life lessons for the next generation. We hope you enjoy it. I.
00:00:24:07 - 00:00:48:04
Unknown
And we're here today to record this for glory of Daisy. I'd like to start this for you, Daisy, to briefly introduce yourself to our audience. Who's listening? Oh, yes. Please call me Daisy. I'm a 75 year old grandmother. All my life I have been with education. And I'm a retired school. Super intended. Okay, so maybe that's this where we'll start.
00:00:48:06 - 00:01:17:13
Unknown
Let's talk a little bit about how you got to education. Like what was your what inspired you to actually go into the field of education in the first place? Actually from from, but as far as I could remember to play with my dolls and my pillows in the hall and pretend to be a teacher. So I've always wanted very much to be a teacher, I guess, because I feel that, well, I had very good teachers, so I was inspired by their role models.
00:01:17:15 - 00:01:42:09
Unknown
And I think, teaching is not really a profession. It's more like, a calling. I think it's like a mission where I feel I can touch lives and perhaps, you know, touch hearts and change lives. I see. And like, was there a moment in your youth that you made a decision. Okay. I'm going to be a teacher.
00:01:42:11 - 00:02:11:00
Unknown
Yes. Probably when I wasn't sick to that time when there was those, racial riots and really quite terrible times in Singapore. I said, what year was this? I think it was 1964. Okay. And I remember we my teacher came into the class as a ghost speaker. Please go home now. Please go stay home now.
00:02:11:00 - 00:02:35:17
Unknown
You know, that kind of thing, did I? I felt that, yeah, a teacher can really impact, lives of young people. And let's see, I mean, putting it in a more dramatic way. If parents and adults are around the child, it's not as impactful. Perhaps a teacher's role can make that difference. So there has been always been my calling and my mission.
00:02:35:19 - 00:03:03:02
Unknown
I see, I see okay. And then, I mean, basically, after being a teacher, you've actually spent most of your career in education, right? Can I ask what what's the secret to your longevity in this industry? Love for young people. Oh, okay. You must love young people. Otherwise after a while, you can get irritated. Is I. Can you sense that nonsense are your.
00:03:03:04 - 00:03:27:18
Unknown
But if you love them and and if they love you in return, that relationship is. It will drive you. And as a teacher, like, when, when you say love like is it a love for the act of teaching them or imparting knowledge to them, or is it in general just a love for the innocence of a child or what?
00:03:27:18 - 00:03:52:18
Unknown
What would you describe that love as? I think it was my love for young people. And then that impacted the quality of the relationship between my students and myself. And I am, as a human, I mean, when they return and they appreciate my care for them, well I felt appreciated and it's kind of. Yeah. Carry on you know.
00:03:53:16 - 00:04:14:04
Unknown
So what do you feel exactly when you, when you see these students, you know, come back many years later? They themselves adults now having their own families. What feeling does that bring to you? Oh, it's a search of joy. It's a search of inner. I can't express it, but it's really a search of joy that, that blessing.
00:04:14:04 - 00:04:39:12
Unknown
Especially when they still commit to, you know, and. Or there were several occasions where my students actually sms me, or they call me and ask me for my, I wouldn't say advice but at least for me an opinion. And I just felt so so needed and I likewise I told them that hey I need you to, you know
00:04:40:01 - 00:05:00:09
Unknown
Yeah I see. I see. So in terms of lessons in the train, obviously a teacher, an educator imparts a lot of lessons to the students. What do you think is the biggest lesson that students have taught you as an educator?
00:05:00:11 - 00:05:24:19
Unknown
Hello. I was a geography teacher. Yeah. All the contents and the tenure series and the O-level questions. They are really very technical. And, you know, you anyone can do it, but it's the quality of the relationship that I think makes a difference. And I think sometimes I think sometimes they they'll they love the subject because they love the teacher.
00:05:24:21 - 00:05:47:23
Unknown
I think so I like to claim that, I see so they because of the they enjoyed it so much to me. You enjoy being a teacher of the of the class. Yeah. I see, I see especially when they start asking questions and they get very curious. Then I feel that maybe I have excited learning.
00:05:48:00 - 00:06:16:23
Unknown
Okay. So in terms of in terms of learning right. What advice do you have for young people today who may be, interested in becoming an educator, a teacher themselves? But not very sure if they have the quality soit. What do you think they should be looking at for? Look at your heart first. Why do you want to be a teacher?
00:06:17:00 - 00:06:53:10
Unknown
Is it is a calling to you like young people to begin with? Do you believe that you can make a difference in their life, in their character? Not the subject, not the topic. Because that's, a professional arena. If you are a literature teacher, your inner geography teacher, that's all content. You can get it actually anywhere. But, it's the quality of relationship, and it's through my subject area that I believe I can share my values and inspire my values and ya and my values is just basically your integrity.
00:06:53:10 - 00:07:20:03
Unknown
And, you know. Your integrity and and also, if I can, God fearing now God fearing. I'm not talking about religion, but there must be some fear of conscience. Like, you know, they they must have that conscience. And if I do this, what will happen? You know, who will I hurt? What will be the impact? It's always the what if and how you impact people.
00:07:20:04 - 00:07:50:22
Unknown
How can you make a difference? So it may sound quite deep or you know, but even to, to young kids you know. If they can find that meaningfulness behind what they're doing, what they're learning. I think I've succeeded as a teacher. I see, I see. Okay. So I mean because you've also been more than just a teacher, you've also, you know, had risen through the ranks and I'm going to be a principal.
00:07:50:22 - 00:08:13:05
Unknown
And so is there along the way. What skills do you learn as a teacher that translate? Well to as you rise through the ranks to become more senior in the role? What skills do you think, have carried have carried you along your way in your career? It's people's skill, you know, where, your subject matter is more important.
00:08:13:07 - 00:08:40:22
Unknown
Is your sincerity behind it? And, let's say as a principal, when I relate with my teachers, it's always your wellbeing, you know. Are you okay? How are you. Because unless when a teacher is really well and good, then he or she can inspire. But if the teacher is already, you know, down and feeling so low, I think the teacher needs my care and love more than actually the professional teaching, you know?
00:08:41:00 - 00:09:06:13
Unknown
So I think relationship is just a colleague. Surely know a quality relationship is just so crucial, so critical in education. That's my belief. Yeah. Yeah I see I see okay. I mean since we mentioned it earlier I guess I did want to ask about the word love. Right. When you hear the word love what comes to mind.
00:09:06:15 - 00:09:34:06
Unknown
Okay. Even when I discipline you you know I care. I discipline you not to hurt you but to inconvenience you so that you, you reflect and think about it. So in any cases of discipline might be a harsh word. But when I hope to make a change in the, in, in my students, mental model. It's always why did you do it.
00:09:34:08 - 00:09:57:03
Unknown
Have you thought you know so it's A5W and the one the. Why are you doing it. When you were doing that. What were you thinking. So I would like them to be reflective because the moment you are reflective us cyclical and it comes back to you. So I feel that I think that that is one good life skill that I would love my students to have.
00:09:57:05 - 00:10:25:08
Unknown
Always cyclical, it comes back whatever you do. Why? Why did you do it? That, that that vulgar. What you spew out of your mouth. Oh, dear. Would you like to say in front of me? And you always say no, no, no no, no, I didn't mean it. I see, I see that. I mean it's interesting you touch on that discipline as a form of as a form of care, this form of love as well.
00:10:25:08 - 00:10:49:11
Unknown
That. Right. Yeah. Is that something also that you practice with your own family as well? Yes. Well, I have two daughters, so I think generally daughters probably would be easier to to relate with because boys will be. Oh, dear. Here they get hurt, there they get a broken arm. But girls are a bit more, you know, easier in terms of, I think of the rough play and all that.
00:10:49:13 - 00:11:15:08
Unknown
But I believe in, being frank and honest. Like, I do what I do, and I would like my daughter to understand why I did that. Yeah. So even to my boys students when I was a teacher, I will always tell them I did this because you did that and well there is always a consequence. You chose it.
00:11:16:06 - 00:11:52:20
Unknown
I sound so cruel. But you know in a gentle way I, I not stem and when I see their body language, especially the moment they tend their head down, I know I got it already. No need to scold. Just so how. I see, I see. Okay. So, just thinking about, love. Right. Like, What what's your advice to young people who say that they haven't been able to find a love or a passion in their lives because, you know, for various reasons that they feel very lost.
00:11:52:20 - 00:12:13:23
Unknown
Do they don't know what they want to do their lives. What advice do you have for young people like that? I would still say such try anything and everything that comes your way. Because if you are not sure of what you want to do, then you just go find out and perhaps again ask yourself a few questions. When I was doing this, how do I feel?
00:12:14:00 - 00:12:34:03
Unknown
Was there some internal kind of a nice feeling that came out, or is it, So I want to finish it quickly, I finish I know that kind of feeling. So, so search your heart. And if if you are excited about it, if you are curious about it, if you want to know more about it. And that's a good sign.
00:12:35:10 - 00:13:03:24
Unknown
But again, I will always, kind of, caution them that sometimes things that you don't want to do, but you have to do, you know, it's like assignment homework or learning preparing for exams. So. So I teach them to actually, things you don't like to do, but you have to do. Then can you learn to try to, well, appreciate what you do.
00:13:03:24 - 00:13:31:09
Unknown
You read like what you do, but at least you know that is good and that the world is really doing well. So. So it is really, in my whole career, I feel that talking is very critical, more than fiction. So I don't I don't remember ever like scolding a student so harshly. But you will always be. Can you just keep quiet for I arms look at me and when I talk, listen, please.
00:13:31:11 - 00:13:49:12
Unknown
And then they know, she means business already. Because what my students would know me well is. And, they will know when cannot play play with me like, you know. Okay. And it's always when I fall in my arms I say listen, are you ready for some good questions. And then they will say yeah yeah, yeah I see.
00:13:49:14 - 00:14:15:04
Unknown
And the feedback to me is torture. You don't ask question can say no. So it's this way, this song to me like you have a very good relationship with with your students. Yes. I, I believe I do right now. I'm, I'm on Facebook. So many of them. So, today I transitioned to become, like almost like, friends as they get older as well.
00:14:15:06 - 00:14:37:03
Unknown
Yeah. Friends I think. Yeah. But still no matter how that respect is still there and I love them for that. You know the friends in The Sims that we can talk. I believe anything they want to talk about. I, I, I appreciate very much their trust. So when they have some really serious, things they want to talk about, when they call me, they talk to me.
00:14:37:05 - 00:14:59:18
Unknown
I always end up by thanking them that, you know, you you actually make me feel so and so want it. And I really thank you for that. And then at our age, we're all adults and quite grown up already is okay, you know. But I will want the younger to just in school. Please don't anyhow hock you can jump but I mean I'm already 75, you know, so it's like, come here, you need a good hug.
00:14:59:20 - 00:15:31:07
Unknown
Okay. So so is there any, in terms of, like, being like these friends that you, meet along the years that, in your industry as well? Is it very difficult to stay in touch with all these friends over the years? It it depends, you know. I would say not really. Because if you already have that quality relationship, then even if you don't see each other for 15 years, you you'll see how I how are you?
00:15:31:07 - 00:15:54:18
Unknown
And then you can even hot and talk and just, you know, everything comes up. So it depends on the quality of that relationship. Okay. And so what's important for you in terms of the friends they stay with you. What are the values in them that are important to you. That mutual trust. As we, you know, grow along the way.
00:15:54:18 - 00:16:12:17
Unknown
We you know, we I feel that I have very few good feel very good friends whom I can tell them anything and everything under the sun. And I know it would be my lips are sealed. It's in my heart. And you know I have my years for you. And sometimes we don't really need advice. We just need to.
00:16:12:17 - 00:16:44:04
Unknown
Please listen to me. I just want to let go. I want to know downlow on somebody. Yeah. So yeah. Sorry. Is there any difference between like speaking to friends versus you know sharing with family. You know is there a difference between the two. Yes I think so. Friends. Friends I think I, I don't even think about sensitivity.
00:16:44:04 - 00:17:05:07
Unknown
I just blurt out, you know, because I know I trust them. But let's see if I'm talking to my own immediate family. Let's say my husband, I will still be very careful to watch body language because I don't want to say extra things that will hurt them, because a hurt will take some time to to heal. And I'm very careful about hurting feelings.
00:17:05:09 - 00:17:25:22
Unknown
Whereas with friends, I'm not talking about it them. I'm talking about what I'm going through and I just bla bla bla bla and you just, I'm But we family members, usually in a little, incident happens. It's always the other ones, you know, who probably in the midst of that little chaos or so. So I'm very careful.
00:17:25:23 - 00:17:54:04
Unknown
So body language to me is quite critical in I would want to observe very carefully. Even giving advice to my grandsons for example, I mean if my grandson showed the arranger some two, three of them were in their 20s. Okay. I'll be very careful with what I see. But grandma and grandson is quite different. I mean I don't need to really worry about advising them.
00:17:54:06 - 00:18:21:06
Unknown
In fact I'm guilty of spoiling them. I see oh well confession. I mean, I mean, it's very natural to to, for grandparents and the grandchildren to have a very, very friendly relationship. Right. Well, yeah. I mean, like, how do you think you're you also have the relationship with your grandchildren versus the relationship with your own children.
00:18:21:06 - 00:18:45:07
Unknown
How different is that? Different in the sense that because my two daughters are already mothers. So our conversation and our mutual trust is definitely more than with my grandkids. My grandkids will be the usual daily things, you know. Oh, okay. I used the extra ice cream to tell your mommy, okay, that kind of thing. But where is with my daughters?
00:18:45:10 - 00:19:11:24
Unknown
Yeah, we I, I'm so grateful that we kind of can talk anything and everything. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So you know, because we're recording this for SG 60 and to celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday, I did want to ask you like, what do you feel about Singapore's progress, from the time you were young to where it is today?
00:19:12:01 - 00:19:44:09
Unknown
What what are your thoughts about it, and how do you feel about it? I feel extremely grateful. That that gratitude, that gratifying, we have never gone to severe crisis, like war a lot. But I think good governance and I think even good citizenship, because so far you look at our citizens, our Singaporeans, hardly really hardly any, any, you know, disaster kind of justice behaviors.
00:19:44:09 - 00:20:16:22
Unknown
So, yeah, I would think there is good governance. And, a, a very value centered kind of a citizenship. And I think, I think Singaporeans, we value our, our peace, our, you know, our progress, our even prosperity, I must say. And I think we treasure they we don't want to see that, you know, crumbling into into deep waters.
00:20:17:06 - 00:21:00:22
Unknown
I think that is it's probably our people that the rationale and, I can't imagine a Singaporean spewing vulgarity in, in some foreign land somewhere. I, I don't know, am I, am I a dreamer? I don't know, but I think generally our Singaporeans are ladies and gentlemen in every. Right. But I see, I see okay. I mean and you know, we are thinking about the past but looking ahead to the future, what wishes do you have for Singapore in its next 60 years?
00:21:02:09 - 00:21:30:24
Unknown
We should keep on our national values. We must uphold the integrity that people look upon Singapore and say that Singapore. They say what they say. They mean what they say. They do what they say they will do. I would love to see that. And, and generally our harmony, our, our multiracial harmony and coexistence is just so beautiful.
00:21:31:01 - 00:21:57:15
Unknown
And because I am nurturing it with, near National Institute Education International. So my participants are from all over the world, usually principals and HQ offices. They are surprised because we we keep on saying that, you know, multi-racial example. So all I need is I take them to Chinatown. I would have a field trip we create and and when they go into Chinatown, I say it's Chinatown.
00:21:57:17 - 00:22:25:09
Unknown
But look, there's a whole street full of, you know, Malay goods. Indian goods. And look, in Chinatown, there's a huge Indian temple and a Malay mosque. It's a symbol. That's who we are. And we take it for granted. So I'm very proud of that. And I really would pray that we would uphold that always. And I think it's, again, good governance, good leadership and our citizens, our people like you and I, we treasure that.
00:22:25:11 - 00:22:43:00
Unknown
So we are very careful about maybe some of our policies help, like we are not supposed to have public speech about religion and race. I think that helps. I think that helps, you know, I.
00:22:43:02 - 00:23:13:00
Unknown
Hello again. I hope you enjoyed listening to that so clearly. Words of wisdom is a project by Charlotte Goh, powered by folklorist and supported by our Singapore Fund. To find out more, please visit our website at Folklorico. That's volcano o r y a.com. Goodbye.