IT ALL started when I was in Form Three. Our class had her as our Moral Education teacher.

She was the “untested waters”, so a couple of pranksters (and I was one of them) decided to be cheeky by making references to her full figure.

Instead of being all riled up, she told the class that God gave her the attributes to facilitate her responsibilities as both teacher and mother in school. From the peals of laughter that erupted, I knew that she was not someone we could play our pranks on.

The way she commanded respect inside and outside class was the envy of many a teacher.

Sure, we were a bunch of youngsters who were rowdy at times and hard to tame, especially when recess time approached.

In fact, there was a day when she allowed us to be our boisterous selves, so much so, we didn’t hear the bell ring for recess, and yes, we missed our break!

From that day on, with our voice volume in check, she conducted her lessons without a hitch.

One would expect her teaching style and lessons to be monotonous (read: boring!), but it was quite the opposite.

She challenged the way we perceived values, morals and morality and even allowed us to give our views and thoughts on taboo topics such as sexuality.

Although I may have forgotten the exact definitions of the 36 nilai-nilai murni (noble values), I am able to explain their meanings by heart.

My deepest impression of her was in year 2011, when Form Five students were required to hand their Moral-related assignments to be graded for the SPM trials.

Down with high fever, I missed the deadline by a day.

Clearly disappointed, she reprimanded me in the presence of other teachers. Back then, I wished the floor could have swallowed me.

After the class ended, I went to see her and to my surprise, she was concerned and inquired after my health, while gently chiding me that I should have informed her earlier.

Dear Puan Rozita Sulaiman, Happy Teachers Day and I wish you all the best,

May students continue to be inspired under your “Mama’s” care and guidance, just like I did!

EUGENE CHAN QUO-WAI

SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (3),

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

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