Chapter 1
A quiet boy at ACS
When I was younger, I was an introvert. I was a shy boy who kept to himself a lot, even at ACS.
The only time I became an extrovert was in drama. That was my alter ego. I came alive as an actor, putting on characters and playing them in plays.
My parents shaped me the most. They taught me good values and built them into me, and those values are still the foundation of my life today.
A few teachers made a real difference too. One of them was Mrs Lee Gek Kim, our English teacher. She turned English lessons into drama lessons, and everyone was included. She wasn't just teaching a subject, she was helping us live it. That stayed with me, and it shaped the kind of teacher I wanted to become.
Chapter 2
Becoming a teacher
I chose History because I have always been interested in the past, how it affects the present, and how the present will shape the future. English came from my love of drama and words.
My very first class was at Temasek Secondary School in 1989. It was a kaleidoscope of students with different needs. Some were bright, some were average, and some were struggling. I gravitated to the ones who were struggling, because they needed my help the most.
Along the way I graduated from James Cook University with my BA, and went on to teach at St. Hilda's Secondary and St. Francis Methodist School.
"It's not just teaching a subject, but living a subject, that makes the difference."
Chapter 3
From teaching to counselling
Moving into counselling felt like a natural progression. I found I was already teaching and counselling at the same time.
The turning point came at St. Hilda's Secondary. I realised the students needed full-time counsellors, and that was when counselling became my profession, not just something I did on the side.
When we set up the Drop In Centre and the pastoral care programmes, the most important thing was being student-centred. We didn't expect students to come up to the teacher. The teacher came down to their level, engaged with them, and learned from them as much as they learned from us.
Above all, it was about giving them a listening ear. The Drop In Centre was perfect for that, a place where informal counselling could simply happen.
Chapter 4
On air and on stage
TEENTALK was actually a spur-of-the-moment decision to get involved in community radio on 93.8LIVE.
It was a chance to showcase St. Francis Methodist School, where I was teaching and counselling, and to speak up for the needs of teenagers. Until then, there had never been a community programme that addressed teens.
That young actor from ACS never really left. Whether it's singing, emceeing or leading worship, I still love a microphone!
Chapter 5
HeartWarmers
HeartWarmers is a book of reflections in poetry and prose, on issues and subjects close to my heart and my writing partner's.
We realised we had a lot to share with the world, so we compiled it into a book. HeartWarmers is all about warming the heart, making people feel special and making them feel comfortable.
Chapter 6
My faith, my rock
My faith and St. Hilda's Church mean everything to me. Without the faith, support and friendship of that community, I wouldn't be able to carry on the way I have.
In challenging times, when things seemed daunting, the Church has always been there for me. God has always been there for me. God is the rock I have built my whole life on, along with the values my parents taught me.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Proverbs 3:5, from my favourite passage
What I believe
A few things I've learned
Every young person needs room to blossom
They need a listening ear and a place to grow. We need to give them the chance to make mistakes, because that's how they learn about themselves.
Listen without commenting
The most common struggle I see in students and families is communication. One person wants to be heard and the other wants to be understood. We need to listen, empathise and be more compassionate.
To worried parents
"Don't worry about your children. Have faith in them." Teach them the right values, and they will grow up strong and steadfast.
What I'd tell my 16-year-old self
It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to falter. In learning to get back up, we learn more about ourselves and we become stronger.
Chapter 7
Still connected, years later
Many of my students and the young people I mentored at church still keep in touch. Some are fathers and husbands now. Others are lawyers, doctors, engineers, in catering, or doing well in the corporate world, at home and overseas.
I'm even godparent to some of their children! Wherever they are, they are blossoming, and that's the key thing. It's a wonderful thing to still have a small part in their lives.
Outside the classroom
Just me, being me
When I'm not teaching or counselling, I'm reading, singing, playing word games, and watching YouTube. I read the newspapers a lot too. I think it's important to stay connected with what's happening in the world, not just my own issues but other people's too.
Most of all, I love connecting with people, whether they're students, ex-students or new friends.
Three words my friends would use to describe me
"Either become patient, or become a patient."
A saying that has stayed with me for years
