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A Role Model changed my life and shaped my future. From straight Fs to straight As....
Founding Vision of Role Modele
10 years ago, a 14 year old secondary 2 student was on the verge of being thrown out of school. His mid-year result book wrote, "English - 51.1, Chinese - 57.3, English Literature - 36.1, History - 38.5, Art & Crafts - 45.4, Mathematics - 48, Science - 42.8, Home Economics - 41.4." If he cannot score an overall average of 50% by year end (includes results from first half of the year), he will be thrown out of school. This little boy always had tuition but due to distractions from Extra-Curricular Activities and also peers’ influence, he was on the verge of being thrown out of school. His father was furious and sought to rectify the problem by hiring a private science and mathematics tutor. Can the problem be rectified by just having another tutor? It will always remain a doubt to whether any other tutor would have solved the problem but this tutor, Alan, certainly did change the boy's life. Alan shaped the boy's future.
Alan was an undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University pursuing a degree in engineering. He was tutoring to earn his monthly allowance and school fees. Alan and the boy just happened to be on the same wavelength because of similarities in background, interests, and life experiences. He was like a friend giving advice and guidance. He provided the boy emotional and personal support when the boy was down. He motivated the boy to learn, to learn the way to life, to learn the importance of what was in front of him. He sparked the boy's interest in his studies. As a result, the boy changed for the better and managed to do well enough to avoid being thrown out of school. And improvements did not stop there...
Alan was definitely a top tutor. He was very good with Mathematics and Science but the magic that he did on the boy did not just rub off on anybody. He was the best tutor for the boy, the most suitable tutor, but may not be the best tutor for everyone. He connected well with the boy because he had been through what the boy was going through. They began to share life experiences with each other and also pursue common interests in sports. He was like a role model as the boy aspired to be like him. The boy found a direction to life. 10 years later, the boy is now graduating from Singapore Management University December 2009. And the boy is none other than me, Hsi Hao. Alan, Thank you...
This is an article which I wrote in 2009 when I founded Role Modele Pte Ltd. Although I eventually discontinued the operations of Role Modele, Role Modele's vision lives on in me. It was Alan who showed me what I can do initially. I want to help every maturing child find a direction and goal in life. This is my inspiration to continue my passion for teaching.
Lim Hsi Hao, Deven
A Role Model changed my life and shaped my future. Now, it's my turn...
