"Class, what do you want to do when you graduate from secondary school?" asked my Bahasa Malaysia teacher, back in 1996.

"Doctor!" said student A.

"Engineer!" said student B.

"Biotech scientist!" said student C.

I raised up my hand and answered, "Teacher!"

"Wait." The petite teacher signaled to silence the whole class and looked at me. "You want to be a teacher?"

I nodded.

To my surprise, she frowned instead.

"Why do you want to be a teacher?" she asked. "We work long hours, our respect from students and parents are diminishing these days and worst of all, we are paid peanuts!" Obviously, the disgruntled teacher was not happy with her job.

I did not answer my teacher's question. Because back then I was clueless on why I wanted to be a teacher - I only felt that it is a very noble job. My dear teacher, however, seem to think otherwise.

It is now already the year 2007. I am very proud to say that I am now a lecturer for the School of Communication, Taylor's College. When students, friends and colleagues saw the stuffs I can do on the computer, they can't help but to ask the very same question that my teacher asked me back in 1996.

"Why do you want to be a teacher?"

The question will then be followed with a suggestion, "Why don't you work in studios instead - then you can utilize your skills in the industry!"

This time, I knew the answer.

I teach, because I love sharing my knowledge wih others. Learning doesn't stop on the very day you graduated from your university - it is truly, a lifelong process. I love seeking new knowledge to expand my horizons and improve myself. The best part of it is to be able to share all the knowledge with my students. I love discussing with them about the great wonders of technology. I love showing them how to create stunning artworks on the computer and unleash their hidden creativity.. the list goes on - but mind you, my students taught me a lot too! This process of giving and acquiring knowledge is something that excites and motivates me strongly to be the best lecturer that I can be.

I teach, because it grants me flexibility to keep designing something new. I teach as a lecturer, but the designer in me will never vanish. I never stop designing. Teaching allows me plenty of flexibility to work on personal multimedia projects, attempt new methods, try out new softwares, develop new e-learning applications. This allows me to continuously sharpen my skills to remain competent in the field of multimedia. If I were working in a studio, I may still be able to do all this, but the hectic reality of the studio environment will not warrant me the opportunity to teach and share all my knowledge - I will not be happy.

I teach, because I know learning can be made fun and interesting. We all had our fair share of having bad teachers that demotivates you to attend classes. Uninteresting teachers that speaks in a monotonous tone that can put everyone in class to sleep, lazy teachers that are always late to classes, incompetent teachers that do not understand the subject well enough and did not bother to work hard to improve themselves, insensitive teachers with the I-don't-care attitude that is never available for consultations when you desperately needed their help. We have seen it all. Despite that, there are also very dedicated teachers around that able to make students look forward to attend their classes and learning actually takes place. I was fortunate enough to have such great teachers in life and I make these people my role model. They proved that learning need not be dull and can be made a into a very fun experience instead. I too, would like to prove this fact to everyone. I want to make everyone eager learners and actually enjoy the process of learning.

I teach, because I love having a close connection with my students. I am not just a teacher. I am also a friend, a mentor. I do not merely educate - I advise, I motivate and I inspire. I make them believe in themselves. I make them understand that if they put their heart into something, they can actually achieve it gracefully. To play a role in actually inspiring, guiding or helping someone in the process of achieving great success in their life - I feel that is a truly noble thing to do.

I never saw the teacher that asked me the question in 1996. But if we were to meet again someday, I would tell her this:

"I want to be a teacher because I know I can make a difference!"