Steph Laoshi

Yesterday at an Ikigai event, I was asked:

“What is your superpower?”

And the image that came to my mind was… a bus driver.

It may sound simple, but to me, it means everything.

Every student that comes into my class is like a passenger.
They are all on different journeys—
some are confident, some are lost, some are just trying to keep up.

As a teacher, I don’t see myself as someone who just delivers lessons.

I see myself as the driver of that journey.

I want my students to:
🚌 feel safe getting on board
🚌 feel happy during the journey
🚌 trust where they are heading

And more importantly…

I don’t just see them with my eyes.
I try to see them with my heart.

Not just their results,
but their fears, their effort, their small progress that others may not notice.

Because every child has potential.
Sometimes, they just need someone to believe in them along the way.

I may not control their final destination,
but I hope that during the time they are on my “bus”…

they grow, they gain confidence,
and one day, they realise how far they can actually go 💛🌈🎉

Last day of Feb - received one good news & 1 bad news

Bad news - one client wants to stop lessons soon as they had other plans for a student who is taking PSLE this year

Good news - another new client wants me to help coach English for tutee and is willing to pay me more

Though clients stopping classes are unavoidable, I still feel kinda sad 😭

Saying goodbye to students is kinda hard

Never stop learning

As a tutor , we ourselves need to be role models to our students

So this year my new year goal is to step out of my comfort zone and attend more social gathering ☺️

Thus far , I have attended twice and will be attending more

Proud of myself for stepping out into the unknown and into situations which kinda make me uneasy

Ask me interact with children - I am more than willing too 😂😆 but with adults I am still a work in progress

I like to be with people but now I choose to be with the right people ; to be with people whom I feel more at ease with

Jiayou to 突破自己
走出去才能看到更多

This year Chinese New year hit differently - I received lots of love and blessings from my clients

One gave me CNY goodies even before CNY arrived ( this same client also gave me Xmas goodies last year -2025 too )

I resumed work back on Thursday 19 Feb and I received one CNY goodies from one non Chinese client and one red packet from another tutee 's grandma ( this kind grandma has been pampering with food every now and then too )

Heart ❤️ 💜 ❤️ is full

Friday I also received another CNY goodies bag and red packets from another client ( unexpected )

Today I also received another CNY goodies and red packet from a new client

I am really lucky to receive such blessings this year ; like 又惊又喜

原来我也有人在意； 原来我的客户也会想到我
被人在乎的感觉真好

My clients made me feel seen this year and I am beyond touched and grateful for all the kindness I received from them

Wishing myself and everyone a Huat Huat 2026 year !!!

I recently connected with a potential client through a new tutoring platform, which initially filled me with excitement as it was my first client. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived as the client consistently postponed our lessons. Even before our first session, I felt emotionally drained. The initial excitement had dissipated, and I began to question whether this agency aligned with my expectations. Although they earned their commission, I decided to reevaluate our arrangement. Ultimately, I chose to stop accommodating this client, as I didn't want to wait indefinitely for our first session. I was concerned that if I continued to acquiesce to her requests, she would not respect my time. I believe it's essential to prioritize clients who are sincere and understanding. As a tutor, my job security is already precarious, and I rely on conducted lessons for payment. I firmly believe that respect is a two-way street; if a client genuinely needs assistance for their child, they would not repeatedly postpone our sessions.

Today, my tutee displayed her attitude in class. We were doing composition, and twice she spoke disrespectfully, which annoyed me. So, I paused the lesson and addressed the issue with her. I told her that her tone was unacceptable, and she responded by saying, 'My parents paid you to help me.' This made me even more upset. She questioned my role as a teacher, and I explained that while I'm paid to teach her, I also have the choice to continue or not. I owed her nothing. She knew she was wrong but refused to apologize when I asked her what she should do to make amends. Instead, she stared at me and said she wouldn't apologize. I was still angry, but I calmed down and continued guiding her. Before proceeding, I told her she still owed me an apology before the class ended and asked if she was ready to continue. Later, I talked to her again, explaining that there are polite ways to express her concerns, such as asking me to slow down. I waited for her apology, which she eventually gave, and we shook hands. I'm relieved the situation didn't escalate further.

✅ Looking for a Patient and Dedicated Chinese / Primary Tutor?
Hi Parents 👋 I am a passionate tutor with years of experience teaching Preschool to Primary 6 students. I specialise in Chinese, but I also teach Math, English and Science for primary school levels.

✨ Why parents choose my classes?
✅ Patient & dedicated – I explain concepts clearly and simply
✅ Build strong foundation & confidence
✅ Customised lessons to suit each child’s needs
✅ Able to build rapport quickly with students
✅ Focus on improving results + interest in learning

📈 Proven Results from my students:
✔️ P3 boy – Failing Maths ➝ Passed in P4
✔️ P4 boy – Failing Science ➝ Passed within 2 months
✔️ Multiple students – Failing Chinese ➝ Now Passing / Improved Confidence in Speaking Chinese

🏠 Class Options
✔️ 1-to-1 Tuition
✔️ Small Group (1–2 students)
✔️ At student's home or my home near Layar LRT (Sengkang/end of this year)
✔️ Areas I travel to: Sengkang, Punggol, Buangkok, Hougang

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📚 Subjects Offered:
✔️ Preschool Chinese Foundation
✔️ Primary Chinese (包括作文与口试指导)
✔️ English / Math / Science (Primary)

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💬 Slots are open for 2026 enrolment!
If you’re looking for a tutor who truly cares about your child’s progress and confidence, feel free to PM me 😊

📩 Comment “Interested” below or WhatsApp me at: (your number)
📆 Trial lesson available
👍 Patient | Responsible | Result-Oriented

My tutee shows initiative in his learning today

He was mindful of the time we have and even told me that we don't have enough time to do more things

He even suggested that I come over next Wednesday since he has no school 🏫 in addition to his usual class

Great day indeed

So my tutee was along his corridor waiting for me perhaps lol and I was kinda surprised 😯

And he said he will pass me my teacher's day gift today and guess what he gave me 😂😆

Happy to hear that my P4 student has passed his science WA and that his mother decided to let me help him with his Chinese too :)

It is moments like this that make me feel good to teach

I just ended a class with my student

But today's class didn't end well

The student ended up with tears 😭

Cos what happened is that I found out that the boy didn't do his science homework and his parents are aware and even texted me to scold the child

So I just talked to the boy and told him the homework he needed to do before the next lesson and also some possible consequences of he didn't do

When I mentioned about the idea of taking his favourite thing away , his eyes were watery and he started crying

Then his grandma came out and asked what happened

I told the grandma and the boy was mouthing something to me though he is still crying

Then the grandma said the boy is like this

But it's the first time I see the boy like this

All along since I taught him since last year , this is the first time he cried out

Then after checking in with his mother , I kinda know why he cried

It seems his parents had also mentioned taking away his favourite things if he didn't pass his exam this time round

And I have triggered him by mentioning the same thing so he kinda feels no one is standing on his side and his favourite things are at risk

I have seen many students crying during class - some cried because they have high expectations of themselves; some cried maybe because no one understands them ; some cried due to pressure....

All their cries are somehow a signal that they need more help or attention or encouragement

Being someone who is easily emotional as well , I kind feels the children's sadness too though I can't show them to the students of course

Studying in Singapore is not easy at all - peer pressure, parent's expectations of the child , competition in schools

And I feel my role as a tutor is not to add more pressure to the child but to help them manage all these and walk together with them in their learning journey