When I first stepped through the rusty blue gate of SMK Ladang Kerilla, nestled among the rolling green hills of Tanah Merah, Kelantan, I had no idea that this school would become my second home, and its people my second family.

I still remember that first morning clearly. The air was heavy with morning dew, and a soft mist blanketed the football field. Students in neatly pressed uniforms moved through the corridors, laughing, chattering, and occasionally throwing curious glances at the new teacher — me.

I had just been appointed as an English teacher — and later, head of the Language Department — after years of teaching in more urban settings. I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong.

A Different Kind of Challenge

The challenges at SMK Ladang Kerilla were unlike any I had encountered before. Some students came from plantation worker families, while others had to walk kilometers just to reach school. Many struggled with the English language, not from a lack of intelligence, but from a lack of exposure.

The first few weeks tested me. There were times I stood in front of the class, facing blank stares and shy smiles, wondering if anything I said had made an impact. But it was also during these early days that I began to see something beautiful — a hunger to learn, a quiet determination, and a respect for teachers that warmed my heart.

Moments that Matter

It wasn’t long before the small victories began to pile up. A student who could barely write a sentence in English started keeping a daily journal. Another, previously silent, stood in front of the class to recite a poem. I smiled as I watched them grow, slowly but surely, with every lesson, every conversation, every mistake corrected with kindness.

One of my proudest moments was when our school entered an inter-school English drama competition. The students were nervous, unsure if their accents or grammar would be good enough. But they worked hard, rehearsed every afternoon under the scorching sun, and in the end — they won second place. For us, it felt like first.

Beyond the Classroom

Life at SMK Ladang Kerilla was more than just teaching. I joined community events, helped organize motivational camps, and even learned how to make traditional kuih from some of the parents. My colleagues were supportive and passionate, always ready to lend a hand or share a laugh during recess. The principal, stern but fair, always reminded us: "We’re not just teaching subjects. We’re shaping futures."

I watched my students graduate, some becoming teachers, others venturing into trades or business. Each success felt personal, like watching your own children fly.

A Teacher's Reward

Now, after many years, when I walk through the school compound and hear a student call out, “Sir, remember me? You taught me in Form 2!” — I feel a pride no salary or award could ever give. I see my younger self in them, full of hope and potential, needing just a little encouragement.

Reflection

Teaching at SMK Ladang Kerilla taught me more than I ever taught. It taught me humility, patience, and the true meaning of service. It reminded me that success isn't measured by grades alone, but by effort, by growth, and by the impact we leave on others.

This school — with its creaky windows, chalk-filled air, and hearts full of dreams — gave my teaching career purpose.

And if you asked me now, “Would you do it all over again?”

I’d say, “In a heartbeat.”