Tzu Chi Great Love Preschools held a thanksgiving ceremony to honour their teachers, where children offered tea and served food to them. The atmosphere was both heart-warming and touching. (Photo by Au Foong Yee)
Singapore celebrated Teachers’ Day in the first week of September. Tzu Chi Great Love Preschools in Yishun, Sengkang, and Toa Payoh held nine sessions of heart-warming tea ceremonies and a series of celebratory activities to thank teachers and other preschool staff for their dedication.
"Thank you, teacher, for accompanying me as I grow up. Your lovely smile is etched in my heart. Thank you, teacher, for your hard work. You are that beautiful angel."
Two graduating classes from Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool (Yishun) warmly opened the first Teachers’ Day Thanksgiving Celebration with a sign language performance of the song “Thank You, My Teacher.” Remarkably, under the guidance of the leadership team and teacher Au Foong Yee, the two classes learned both the sign language and song in less than an hour.
The following day, the children hand-fed their teachers and served them tea to express their heartfelt gratitude. Infant care teacher Tracia Ang shared, "I've been with two of them since they were infants. Seeing them so poised and composed in the tea ceremony today deeply moved and delighted me."
A small cup of tea carries the children's respect and gratitude for their teachers. (Photo by Au Foong Yee)
Whether participating for the first time or having experienced the "Teacher's Day Appreciation Celebration" many times, teaching staff expressed deep emotion in sharing their experiences. Even those who had not directly taught these children could truly feel the love and gratitude they expressed.
Through their love and care, teachers cultivate a deep bond with the children. (Photo by Au Foong Yee)
Kelly Chew, principal of the Yishun branch, said, “I want to express my gratitude to everyone here, from the infant care teachers, language teachers, and teacher assistants, to the kitchen and office staff. Without your dedication, this preschool wouldn’t be where it is today, and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to serve as principal. I truly thank you all.” She then personally approached each teacher to convey her gratitude.
Although it was a celebration of Teacher’s Day, the principal made a special mention of the kitchen staff. Every day, they carefully prepare meals for the children and teachers, ensuring their dietary needs are well met. To show their appreciation, the principal and staff prepared thank-you cards and supplements for the kitchen team. Their dedication to cooking was evident to both students and teachers as they enjoyed the meals.
Two preschools celebrated Teachers' Day together, doubling the joy
On 4 September, teachers and students from both the Sengkang and Toa Payoh preschools gathered in large groups to celebrate Teachers’ Day. Many teachers were beaming with joy.
The children from the Toa Payoh branch carefully prepared a variety of performances, including singing, dancing, and sign language. The Toa Payoh K1 students, who had only a brief practice session that morning, also sang “Thank You, My Teacher” for their teachers. Their tender voices warmed the hearts of every teacher present.
The children performed with sincerity, and the teachers watched attentively, deeply moved in their hearts. (Photo by Christine Yeo)
During the tea ceremony, Lim Kiah Pin, principal of the Toa Payoh branch, shared, "This year, the children have given me a promotion. Last year, they called me Mom, but this year, some are calling me Grandma. So, that's how I got promoted."
As the children handed cups of hot tea to the teachers, many were moved to tears. Young teachers Tan Yei Hui and Leck Lee Wen reflected, “Volunteers told us that gaining experience caring for children at a young age is a blessing. Seeing the children we raised in our playgroup (aged 18 months to 2 years) serve us tea today was truly joyful and exciting.”
Many teachers were touched as they shared their experiences. They expressed that seeing the children they cared for grow up and now express gratitude through their actions was a testament to their hard work and a reflection of their love.
From right: May Tai Nyeok Moi, Head of Education Services at Tzu Chi; Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore); and Kelly Chew, principal of Great Love Preschool (Yishun), surprised the teachers and staff, reminding them to take care of their health despite their busy schedules. (Photo by Christine Yeo)
In addition, the Human Resource Department of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), together with May Tai Nyeok Moi and CEO Low Swee Seh, specially planned a “secret mission.” During the event, they prepared energy-boosting vitamin B12 supplements for the teachers. CEO Low Swee Seh reminded everyone, “We understand that teachers work very hard every day, and caring for young children is no easy task. This small gesture is meant to remind everyone to take good care of both your body and mind.”
The school also presented the "Five-Year Long Service Award" that day, recognising those who have silently dedicated themselves to early childhood education. Over the past five years, they have witnessed the growth of the children and the development of the school. Their perseverance and passion serve as role models for all to emulate.
CEO Low Swee Seh presenting the "Five-Year Long Service Award" to teacher Shirley Lum Sook Yee in recognition of her contributions over the years. (Photo by Au Foong Yee)
The Toa Payoh branch concluded the event with a fun "Guess Who I Am" game. The children looked at childhood photos of their teachers and excitedly guessed who each teacher was, creating a joyful and heart-warming atmosphere. Meanwhile, Sengkang branch Principal Kristy Clare Ong arranged a knitting activity, inviting knitting teachers to spend time with the preschool teachers, who often find it difficult to enjoy quiet moments due to their busy schedules. The activity enabled teachers to create one-of-a-kind bags or phone charms through hand-knitting.
Preschool teachers, who usually have to multitask, devoted themselves to knitting and enjoyed a moment of peace and quiet. (Photo by Christine Yeo)
The Teachers' Day celebration at Tzu Chi Great Love Preschools was a true celebration of love in the humanistic aspect of education. From the children's tender yet sincere singing to the tea ceremony, and from the quiet dedication of the kitchen staff to the handmade bags crafted by the teachers, every thoughtful gesture became a ripple of love, warming the hearts of all staff members.
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