IN the 21st century, teaching is no longer about standing before a roomful of students and imparting knowledge from books.
Instead, teachers play a supportive role in learning, creating spaces where students feel safe to explore ideas and speak up.
That was one of the key takeaways for Mathematics teacher Lee Chye Mei from six weeks of participation in the Spring 2025 Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program.
The only Malaysian chosen for this rare professional development opportunity, the Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Ja’afar, Negri Sembilan, teacher was in the United States from Jan 22 to March 10, where she found herself “learning, unlearning and reconnecting with the heart of teaching”.
“It was a life-changing experience. The six weeks were far more than classroom visits and academic seminars,” she shared in a recent press release.
Along with 18 other educators from around the world, Lee was hosted at Georgia State University, where the participants exchanged stories from their own classrooms, cultures and communities, explored new teaching methods and reflected on the power of education in shaping young minds.
The educators also had the chance to share their expertise with US teachers and students in high schools.
Lee said her placement at North Atlanta High School offered more than just observation.
“I was deeply inspired by the shift from teacher-led instruction to a model where students take more control over their own learning.
“Co-teaching alongside a local educator, I experienced firsthand how a supportive, student-focused environment could encourage critical thinking and confidence – qualities Malaysian classrooms are beginning to embrace more actively,” she said.
She also gained insights into the integration of digitalisation in classrooms.
“Technology wasn’t just a tool. It was seamlessly woven into lesson delivery and student engagement,” she shared.
Lee added that a meaningful part of her time abroad involved sharing about Malaysia, its rich cultures, and the way learning takes place back home.
“To be able to represent Malaysia in that space was incredibly humbling.
“I wasn’t just talking about where I’m from. I was sharing what it means to teach in Malaysia – our values, our hopes, and the resilience of our young people,” she said.
Now back in school, Lee said she has begun weaving student-led learning into her own classroom, creating room for curiosity and collaboration.
She has also started sharing her knowledge and experience gained from the programme with other teachers through small-group sessions.
“The real impact begins here at home,” Lee said. “In how I teach, how I support my peers, and how we show our students that their voices matter.”
Lee noted that her participation in the programme wasn’t just a professional milestone.
“It was a powerful reminder that teaching is a commitment to nurture and serve,” she said.
Held annually, the TEA Program is sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
