The Lessons That Never Appeared in a Textbook
By Mr Vincent Yap, Year 5 Teacher, Knewton Global Schools Rawang

When I first stepped into a classroom more than two decades ago, I thought I understood what it meant to be a good teacher. I believed a good teacher was someone who treated students well, gave them what they wanted and, most importantly, made them happy.

It sounded simple enough.

But standing in front of a classroom full of children for the first time was a different story! I remember wondering whether the students would listen to me, whether I would be too strict and whether I would know how to handle their different personalities. At times, I even wondered whether I might be the one who needed classroom management!

Thankfully, teaching is a profession where we are allowed to grow.

After more than 20 years in education, I have realised that some of the most important lessons I have learnt did not come from textbooks or lesson plans. They came from my students.

Every Child Has a Story

One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that every child is different.

Many years ago, I taught a boy who was intelligent but extremely playful and mischievous. He could be rude, lazy and very good at answering back. He questioned almost everything teachers said and was often sent to the discipline teacher for being naughty or failing to complete his work.

There were certainly times when he got on my nerves!

It would have been easy to label him as a “problem student”. Instead, I chose to be patient, understand him and work closely with his parents.

At the time, he often failed his examinations despite having the ability to do much better. So, we kept working through conversations, encouragement, hard work and plenty of patience.

Slowly, he changed. He became more responsible and began to believe that he could do better. His academic performance improved tremendously, and eventually, he achieved outstanding IGCSE results.

Years later, he invited me to his wedding.

Standing there, I thought about the mischievous boy he once was. That moment taught me something I could never have learnt from a textbook: we may not always see the impact of our work immediately.

Every child deserves another chance. Behind challenging behaviour, there may be ability, frustration, insecurity or simply a need for someone to understand them.

Relationships Come Before Results

I have also learnt that relationships matter just as much as results.

Students are more willing to learn when they know their teacher cares about them. They need to feel safe enough to make mistakes, ask questions and try again.

Parents are important partners too. When teachers and parents communicate openly and work together, we are better able to support a child.

Instead of only asking, “How can we improve this child’s marks?”, we should sometimes ask, “What does this child need from us?”

Teachers Must Keep Learning

When I began teaching, laptops and projectors were considered exciting classroom technology. Today, smart TVs and digital tools are part of everyday teaching.

Education continues to change, and teachers must change with it.

Experience is valuable, but experience alone is not enough. We must remain curious, adaptable and willing to learn. Being an experienced teacher does not mean having all the answers; it means knowing when to listen, change and find a better way.

The Greatest Measure of Success

Today, I still value academic achievement, but my definition of success has changed.

I ask myself: What kind of person will this child become?

Will they be responsible, kind, respectful and resilient? Will they have the confidence to face challenges? Will they continue learning even when there is no examination?

After more than two decades in education, I have learnt that teaching is a journey of continuous learning. Every student brings a different story, and every year gives us another opportunity to become better teachers.

We do not simply teach children. We have the opportunity to influence how they see themselves, treat others and find their place in the world.

If, many years from now, a former student remembers something I taught, something I said, or simply remembers that I believed in them when they needed it most, then I would consider that a success far greater than any examination result.

After 20 years in the classroom, I have learnt that the greatest lessons are not always the ones we teach. Sometimes, they are the ones our students teach us.

Vocabulary Gallery

Personalities – the different qualities, traits and behaviours that make each person unique.

Extremely – to a very great degree.

Adaptable – able to change or adjust easily when circumstances change.

Encouragement – words or actions that give someone confidence and motivation to continue trying.

Tremendously – to a very great extent; greatly.

Mischievous – behaving in a playful way that often causes minor trouble.

Discipline – the ability to control your behaviour and follow rules or instructions.

Insecurity – a feeling of uncertainty or lack of confidence in oneself.

Resilient – able to recover from difficulties and continue trying.

Influence – the ability to affect someone’s thoughts, behaviour or development.

Whether you are a student, teacher or parent, you are an educator in your own way. There is one thing you should know as an educator. We never stop growing.

And one of the best ways to keep learning and growing is to master and level up your English. 📚✨

At ILTI, that is what we do best — helping you build confidence, improve your English and keep growing every step of the way.

Come learn with us and take your English to the next level! 💙

Your English journey starts here.

Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my

Transform your English skills—one word at a time.