My wife would do her marking and planning from 9.30pm and would finish at about 1-2am every night. This is the norm - after her teaching duties in the earlier part of the day.

I have asked her to quit several times, citing the reason that the appreciation and monetary rewards she gets is not commensurate with the amount of effort she put into her work. She would just look at me, and tell me with great conviction that teaching is her passion and that the joy of seeing her children learning and growing in wisdom and of imparting the right character value to them far outweigh the frustration/lack of sleep she has to go through every day. Money is never an issue as long as the children appreciates what she has done for them. Most importantly, the school management must stand by them and appreciate them.

I believe there are lot of dedicated teachers like my wife, who is passionate about teaching, moulding and guiding the younger generation of Singapore. So let's start to show them more appreciation instead of putting them down and criticising them.

Here is a poem by Kevin William Huff that I hope will be able to bring some joy and encouragement to all teachers who have not been getting the recognition or appreciation they deserve. Tomorrow is a better day because of you guys.

Teachers

Paint their minds

and guide their thoughts

Share their achievements

and advice their faults

Inspire a Love

of knowledge and truth

As you light the path

Which leads our youth

For our future brightness

with each lesson you teach

Each smile you lengthen

Each goal you help search

For the dawn of each poet

each philosopher and king

Begins with a Teacher

And the wisdom they bring

Alan Tan Teck Keong