Leaving A Familiar Education Path
After working as a teacher , she began feeling lost with work and her sense of purpose.
She later started private one-to-one tuition, which grew into small group lessons, holiday workshops, and eventually a tuition centre.
While she loved interacting with her students, she realised she was still part of a system she had started questioning. “Fundamentally, I believe that education should empower the individual,” she shared.
A Different View Of Learning And Growth
She hopes to see more focus on helping students develop beyond academics, including communication skills, emotional awareness, and understanding themselves better.
She believes students need space to “develop their own voice” and have the confidence to make their own choices.
“Only through learning who we really are and establishing a sense of self and authenticity can we bring our gifts to the world”, she said.
Finding Inspiration In New Zealand
Her interest in sustainable living led her to New Zealand, where she decided to learn about permaculture and organic farming.
She chose to follow what she was drawn to, despite doubts that the path might not be practical. “I’m honouring the desire that’s in my heart,” she said.
To manage her expenses, she explored alternative ways to experience life in New Zealand without relying heavily on her savings.
Viewers Relate To Her Journey
Some viewers shared that they connected with her decision to explore a different path.
One commenter said they felt the same way and were deciding between moving to Australia or New Zealand, asking why she chose New Zealand.
She replied that there was “not a very logical reason” and that New Zealand simply “resonated” with her at that point in her life, so she decided to trust that feeling.
Another viewer said her story reflected their own feelings, adding that they hoped to make a similar change one day.
See the video here:
@esther_peh In one year, three of my students came to me before their Sec 4 prelims and told me they had a meltdown. Three. And the strangest part was how casually they said it. Almost like, “Yeah, I broke down before exams. Haha.” Like it was normal, and supposed to be funny. And I remember thinking, you are only 16. If this already feels normal at 16, what happens when you grow up? Do you just keep believing that this is what you have to do? Give up your sleep, your body, your mental health, your emotional wellbeing, just to keep performing the way the system wants you to? — Was that your experience growing up in Singapore too? If you are a parent now, are you seeing the same thing happening to your child? Do you think we have normalised stress too much? #SingaporeEducation #mentalhealth #sabbatical #PersonalGrowth
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