FOR a few precious hours, lesson plans, books and deadlines were forgotten as some 50 teachers came together to dance, sing and enjoy games at an early Teachers Day celebration in Penang.
What began as a simple appreciation event quickly turned into a vibrant, lively afternoon filled with dance, music and games for the teachers from two nearby schools – SMJK Heng Ee and SJKC Hu Yew Seah.
Goh Jie Nin, 31, who was among the first to arrive at the event, said it was the first time she was attending a Teachers Day celebration organised by McDonald’s Malaysia at the McDonald’s Bandar Sri Pinang Drive-Thru in Penang.
“It is a wonderful experience and a meaningful celebration. I am thoroughly enjoying myself here.
“Events like these make me proud to be in the profession and see how much teachers are truly appreciated.
“Also, it is not often that we get to let our hair down,” said Goh, who attended the event with her fellow teacher Ooi Yit Kar, 37.
Ahmad Faheem Ariff Aziz, 25, who teaches Bahasa Malaysia and Physical Education, said although he has only been teaching for the past two years, he understood the true value of being a teacher.
“We have our challenging days, but celebrations like these are a timely reminder that our hard work and sacrifices are appreciated.
“Teaching can be stressful at times, especially with so many responsibilities beyond the classroom, but seeing everyone come together like this makes us feel valued and motivated,” said Ahmad Faheem.
His colleague Nor Azreen Mohd Azhar, 25, said that every hardworking teacher is a person who also deserves joy, appreciation and a chance to simply have fun.
“I enjoyed the musical chairs because it brought me back to my childhood days.
“Teachers Day celebrations are much-needed morale booster because we teachers sometimes forget to relax and enjoy ourselves, as we are always putting our students first.
“Celebrations like these remind us that we are not alone in this journey,” she said.
The teachers enjoyed themselves at the event, taking part in a musical chair game, dancing to the Macarena song and even singing at a karaoke session before enjoying a meal together.
At the event, McDonald’s presented a mock cheque of RM5,000 each to SJKC Hu Yew Seah and SMJK Heng Ee for the upgrading and refurbishing of staff rooms and facilities.
The cheques were respectively received by senior administrative assistant Loo Ching Hoay and senior assistant for co-curricular activities Cheah Yew Hong.
Continuing its meaningful tradition of recognising educators, McDonald’s launched its national Teachers Day, celebrated annually on May 16, with Penang being the first location of the nationwide initiative.
The fast-food chain said its Teachers Day campaign in the past 10 years connected schools and communities in a shared effort to appreciate educators.
The initiative, introduced in 2017 under “Program Komuniti” @ McDonald’s, is aimed at enhancing school facilities and creating a more comfortable and conducive environment for teachers.
