A senior teacher with 14 years of experience, Mrs Rosiah makes it a point to stay abreast of current technologies and trends in order to understand the challenges her pupils face. For instance, the prevalence of the Internet in the lives of children today mean that virtual problems can easily leap from the computer screen to the classroom.

Developing close bonds with her students, they credit her with being 'like a mother' to them.

"One of the common issues my students face nowadays is when they see derogatory comments written about them on a schoolmate's Facebook page," she shares. "It may appear small but it is such a big matter to them that they can't concentrate in class, affecting them badly."

Apart from keeping a finger on the digital pulse, Mrs Rosiah is a keen observer of people who can detect tell-tale signs of trouble that show on faces and in body language. Her students swear by the fact that she knows what is going on even when they have not uttered a word. "She knows our problems very well," says Milla Samuel of Pri 6-Ruby, "She can even tell who has quarrelled with whom without us saying anything!"

From rebel to role model

Her natural empathy and reassuring presence puts Mrs Rosiah in good stead when it comes to helping pupils with complex issues. Take Susan (not her real name), a pupil she has taught since Pri 1, who has undergone a dramatic transformation from rebel to role model. "She had a rebellious streak and was resentful towards her father," explained Mrs Rosiah. Still, Mrs Rosiah saw promise in Susan and worked to developed the girl's leadership abilities and channel her energy into healthy channels. In time, she was even appointed as class monitor and a group leader.

Susan appeared to be turning over a new leaf, but a rash act threatened to derail the progress she had made. "I felt like I failed her when Susan committed an offence," says Mrs Rosiah with a sigh. Following the event, the school worked closely with Susan's mother to monitor her behaviour and kept her in school after classes. "Slowly, she could see that we all cared for her," Mrs Rosiah recalls. "She wrote about how embarrassed she was by the whole incident and how she deeply regretted her act, promising never to commit such an offence again." That proved to be the turning point in Susan's story.

Making good her second chance, Susan was deemed worthy of becoming a prefect in Pri 4. "Knowing she could do it, we nominated her for the vice-head position," reveals Mrs Rosiah. "This year, she is our vice head prefect." Susan's case is one that has moved Mrs Rosiah greatly. "I can see how I can touch the life of a child - I realise that I should do likewise for other children, especially those who are disadvantaged."

Developing discipline in the classroom

Asked how she successfully juggles her administrative and academic commitments and yet finds time to listen to her student's issues, Mrs Rosiah credits the school's Principal, Mrs Bilveer Singh, for giving her much support and affirmation, as well as ensuring that the teachers' workload allows them to set aside time to develop and nurture the pupils beyond class time.

Believing that as a teacher, one cannot just stop at teaching the syllabus, Mrs Rosiah states her conviction that "the kind of interaction you have in the class determines whether they want to open up to you out of the classroom." And while she is always ready to make herself available to students seeking a confiding ear, Mrs Rosiah is no pushover during lessons.

Learning remains serious business. As she explains, "My students know that when I lay down rules and regulations, they have to be adhered to." But strict does not mean having no fun at all. Games and hands-on sessions have their place, but Mrs Rosiah is adamant that students get down to business first. "You want students to be self disciplined so that they are not overly hyped up and are ready to learn when you carry out any activities."

Motivating students to improve

'Every child matters' is Mrs Rosiah Giri's belief and guiding principle in the teaching profession.

Mrs Rosiah's insistence on high standards have paid dividends. Says Chua Boon Soon, a Pri 6 pupil who confesses that he was "quite lazy" in the past, "Now I am more motivated and pay 100% attention." His classmate Jin Tong chimes in, saying, "More than 100%!" Boon Soon adds that just one year under Mrs Rosiah has left a big impact. "My English was really poor, below 60%," he shares, "But her magic wand made me improve more and more."

It's not a magic wand, but a green pen is what Mrs Rosiah sometimes presents her pupils so that they can make corrections in their work. Recently, one of her former students came up to her and held up a green pen. "He asked if I remembered giving him the pen," she recounts with a laugh. "It's such a small thing - I never knew he has been keeping it all this while!" Small as it might be, but such little gestures are memories that pupils cherish as they experience Mrs Rosiah's care and concern for their well-being and journey through life.