We have had many amazing teachers who have inspired GIS students since the school opened in 1951, and all of them have played an important role in our school’s development. In order to help recognise their special contributions to our school, we have introduced a spotlight series for our teacher Alumni – just a small gesture to recognise and thank them for their impact on our GIS community. We are fortunate to have been connected with ex-GIS teacher Mrs Helen Lopez, who shares her experiences at GIS with us.
I started work in 1983 and during my time at GIS, I taught Mathematics from Year 7 to Year 11, Additional Mathematics and A Level Maths. I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Glasgow and majored in Mathematics. I have always enjoyed teaching and am deeply convinced that it is my calling. I am very passionate about what I do and I took my job seriously. I was strict and had (and still have!) high expectations of my students. I am always happy to help students when they do not understand concepts taught in class.
I am now happily retired in Petaling Jaya, doing the things that I had always wanted to do which I find fulfilling and rewarding. Among them are bible study, visiting housebound aged people organised by the church, aqua aerobics, baking, trying out new recipes, traveling and reading.
I started at the Cheras campus of GIS. It was not as big as the present one and the enrollment was smaller then. Facilities were adequate for the time. We had a common staff room for all staff in the secondary and hence there was a great sense of camaraderie. There was more time for actual teaching and less paper-work. Chalk and blackboard were the order of the day. The students were good, motivated and mature, as they are today. Reports were handwritten and there was no IT then. We set more tests in those days.
I am still in touch with most of the teachers during my time at GIS. We keep in touch via Whatsapp and email and, once in a while, on Facebook Messenger. I also participate in alumni and staff gatherings. As for my former students, do I keep in touch with them? – Yes and No. I tend to make more of an effort if I am going overseas and happen to know that my students are in that particular place, then I will try to contact them and arrange for a meeting. When I was at GIS, I even taught the children of some of my former students and sometimes got invited to their weddings!
I have lots of lovely, fond memories and formed friendships, many of which I have maintained until today. I have also learned lots of new ways of teaching, including the use of technology, through sharing ideas and exchanging information with colleagues both in and out of school. Working with international students was such a great experience. I thoroughly enjoyed taking students on Discovery Week trips and one of the most rewarding trips was working with Habitat for Humanity doing volunteer house builds both in Peninsular Malaysia and in Sarawak.
The highlight of my career was when my ex-student, Salman Arif, graduated as a Merrill Presidential Scholar (a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, strong leadership ability and potential for contribution to society) at Cornell University in the US and nominated me as the high school teacher who had most inspired him in his scholastic development. I had the privilege to go to Cornell as a guest of the university to participate in 2 days of events at his graduation in May 2003. I felt greatly honored and humbled by this fantastic experience.
My advice to all the students out there is to enjoy your learning experience at GIS, use the many opportunities to develop yourself as a holistic person and give back to society, never forgetting the people who are less fortunate than you are. Keep in touch with your friends and join the alumni when you leave GIS!
A huge ‘Thank You’ to teacher Mrs Lopez for sharing her GIS journey. It has been great to reconnect with you and we wish you all the best in your retirement.
If you would like to feature in our Alumni articles, just get in touch with us: alumni@gardenschool.edu.my. Because every story matters.
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