Malaysian maths teacher named among world's top 18 educators
SEREMBAN: A local mathematics teacher was recently selected as one of the top 18 teachers in the world to attend the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Programme Spring 2025 in the United States.
Lee Chye Mei, a teacher at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Ja'afar, became the sole representative from Malaysia after undergoing a rigorous selection process from among thousands of applicants before being chosen to attend Georgia State University.
"This experience has truly opened my eyes. I learned how students can become more active, critical and confident when teachers act as facilitators rather than merely as transmitters of knowledge," said Lee, who also had the opportunity to teach at North Atlanta High School for six weeks.
Lee said a student-centred learning approach and creative use of technology made classrooms there more vibrant and interactive.
Lee also had the opportunity to introduce Malaysian culture to the school community and her peers from other countries.
"Speaking about Malaysia gave me a sense of pride that is hard to put into words. It's not just about food or clothing, but about values, hopes and the spirit of our people."
Lee also expressed her gratitude to the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) for the opportunity she was given.
"Without their encouragement, I might not be here. They saw a small spark of potential that could make a big impact."
For Lee, the role of a teacher is not only to educate in the classroom but also to build young people's confidence so that they dare to dream and believe in their potential.
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