What does it take to change a life? A grand gesture? A groundbreaking invention? Or perhaps, something as unassuming as a box of elastic bands?
Sounds absurd? Maybe. But for Ms. Lynn Chua, a senior lecturer-mentor at the Institute of Technical Education College West, it was exactly that—a late-night delivery of colourful elastic bands that became a lifeline for one student teetering on the edge of failure. This isn’t just a story about a box of bands. It’s about belief, persistence, and the extraordinary lengths one teacher will go to for her students.
It’s late, the city winding down. Most people are unwinding with a good book or binge-watching their favourite shows. But not Ms. Chua. She’s on a mission. Not to catch a flight or pick up a forgotten birthday cake—but to deliver elastic bands to a student in need.
Why? Because she knows that for this 19-year-old student with special needs, those bands aren’t just supplies. They’re the missing piece in his mechanical hand project, a critical assignment that could determine his academic success.
To many, a specific colour of elastic bands might seem trivial. To Ms. Chua, it was everything. She saw beyond the materials to the meaning behind them. The student’s insistence on the right colours wasn’t mere stubbornness. It was his vision, his way of making sense of his work. And she wasn’t about to let a small detail stand between him and success.
But here’s the thing: This wasn’t a one-off heroic act. This was just another day in Ms. Chua’s world—a world where students aren’t statistics, but individuals with dreams, quirks, and potential waiting to be unlocked. In an era where teaching often feels like ticking boxes and meeting quotas, Ms. Chua reminds us what it truly means to be an educator.
So, what does it really take to change a life? Perhaps, just a teacher who cares enough to deliver a box of elastic bands when it matters most.
Table of Contents
More Than Just a Teacher
Teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge, it’s about shaping futures. For Ms Chua, this means stepping far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Whether it’s applying for bursaries on behalf of her students, running extra weekend classes, or handing out snacks during exam periods, she does it all with one goal in mind: to give her students a fighting chance.
Source: CNA/Nuria Ling
Parents notice. Ms Azidah Kamis, a secondary school teacher and mother to a former student of Ms Chua, describes her as a “second caregiver.” Her son, who has special needs, not only flourished in Ms Chua’s class but also won second place in a competition for his recycling-sorting machine project. It was a breakthrough achievement for a boy who had never received any major awards in his academic life.
And when parents see a teacher investing time, effort, and even personal funds into their child’s education, the impact extends beyond the classroom. It becomes a story of hope for families who often feel overlooked.
The Road to Teaching
Ms Chua didn’t set out to become an educator. In fact, when the Ministry of Education (MOE) offered her a teaching position back in 2006, she turned it down. The thought of managing a class of rowdy teenagers felt overwhelming. Instead, she spent a decade as a quality engineer, ensuring medical devices met international standards.
Source: ITE
But over time, the monotony of corporate life set in. Her ambitions shifted, and she craved a role with more purpose. Encouraged by friends who were already teaching at ITE, she decided to give it a shot. In 2019, she signed her teaching contract and stepped into the world of education, bringing with her not just industry expertise but also the life lessons of being a mother.
And that maternal instinct became her secret weapon. She knew how to listen, empathize, and, most importantly, adapt to the needs of her students.
Bridging the Gap for Special Needs Students
The Institute of Technical Education teacher quickly realized that many of her students arrived in her classroom carrying the baggage of past academic struggles. For some, the scars ran deep—years of being misunderstood, underestimated, and, in some cases, bullied.
Ms Chua made it her mission to change that narrative. She didn’t just teach; she listened. And through that listening, she found ways to make learning enjoyable again.
Take the mechanical hand project as an example. The coloured elastic bands weren’t about aesthetics; they were about ownership and pride. By taking her student’s vision seriously, Ms. Chua communicated something far more significant: that she believed in her student and that their work mattered.
The Personal Cost of Passion
Such dedication comes with its challenges. Ms Chua often sacrifices family time to support her students. Her 10-year-old daughter once voiced frustration about her mother’s frequent absences. It’s a familiar tug-of-war for many working parents: the guilt of choosing between their child and their calling.
Ms Chua didn’t dismiss her daughter’s concerns. Instead, she explained her work, emphasizing how her students also needed support. Over time, her daughter came to understand, and her husband, Mr Raymond Seow, expressed pride in his wife’s unwavering commitment.
But let’s pause here for a moment. How many of us remember a teacher who went that extra mile for us? The one who stayed after school, explained the lesson again, or simply believed in our potential when we doubted ourselves? Ms Chua is the teacher for so many students at the Institute of Technical Education.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one Institute of Technical Education teacher and her box of elastic bands. It’s about the kind of educational environment we want for our children. In a system often criticized for its rigidity, teachers like Ms Chua are the flexible glue that holds the learning experience together.
Her story reminds us of an essential truth: Education isn’t just about grades or technical skills. It’s about instilling confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
Ms Chua’s approach offers a blueprint for other educators. By meeting students where they are, understanding their struggles, and validating their efforts, she helps them see themselves differently. No longer just “students with special needs,” they become innovators, problem-solvers, and, most importantly, learners who believe in themselves.
What Can We Do?
So, where does that leave us as parents? For starters, let’s appreciate the teachers who go beyond the call of duty. Let’s advocate for more resources to support educators working with students who have special needs.
And perhaps, let’s also have a conversation with our children about the power of perseverance and the importance of having people who believe in them.
Because in the end, it’s not about elastic bands or mechanical hands. It’s about the hands that reach out in the dark, offering support, belief, and the tools to succeed.
The next time your child shares a story about a teacher who went the extra mile, listen closely. You might just hear the echo of someone like Ms Chua — an Institute of Technical Education teacher who proves that sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can have the most significant impact.
And if you’ve been inspired by Ms Chua’s dedication, why not drop a note of thanks to a teacher who made a difference in your child’s life?
Because every educator who cares deserves to know that their efforts, like those elastic bands, hold more together than they realize.
ALSO READ
How Ednovation Is Redefining Early Childhood Education with Male Preschool Teachers
This Teacher Brings Math to Life with Taylor Swift and TikTok
Ministry of Education Sets Higher Entry Requirement for ITE Students Progressing to Polytechnic