MARY Yap never refuses an invitation to speak or present papers

Every teacher to have his own WEBSITE ?

As websites increasingly become a measure of credibility, more and more teachers considering launching one for the first time. This is specially true for computer teachers in secondary schools.

Today a Websites is easy to setup. Since 1998 many secondary school teachers had their own websites and their position (and salary) has likely risen since then. Internet tools help a teacher increase their visibility and provide useful information that pulls in students........

Yes ! Every teacher to have his own WEBSITE.

MARY Yap never refuses an invitation to speak or present papers. Her goal is to inspire others to achieve excellence in their schools.

“I see it as my responsibility to play a developing role now,’’ says the super principal from SM Teknik Tawau in Sabah.

“I would feel uncomfortable staying in my school when I have a chance to give a talk somewhere.

“SM Teknik Tawau is in safe hands and I know my colleagues are capable of running it. My role now is to reach out and share with others.’’

Yap feels that by imparting her knowledge and experiences with other educators, she can validate her appointment as a super principal in 2004.

Yap was among five principals who were upgraded to Jusa C level in 2004, putting her on par with high-ranking Ministry officials.

The post was created to recognise outstanding school heads. They are also expected to take on a leadership and training role.

Yap has also authored a book, From Vision to Reality, which is aimed at sharing her experiences running SM Teknik Tawau.

She was challenged to write it by the deputy director-general (Schools) Datuk Salleh Hussein, who was eager to see her story replicated in other schools across the country.

“Many people have asked me to write about my experiences and I used to tell them that I would only do it after I retire.”

However, Yap was persuaded otherwise and her hardcover book is now into its second printing.

“I wrote the book to share my experiences and to impart practical ideas on leadership and school management.

“It documents how SM Teknik Tawau transformed from a struggling school to an excellent one, and the attitude change among the staff, from the old culture to a culture of excellence,” says Yap, in the book’s foreword.

Even Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has described Yap as a role model for her success in inculcating an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) culture in SM Teknik Tawau.

On April 15, 2006, a milestone was achieved when Hishammuddin identified SM Teknik Tawau as the first school in the Excellent School Clusters programme to be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“I am amazed at the leadership and management of this school. The minute I stepped into this school, I knew it was an excellent school. There is no need for the Ministry to send officers to review it,’’ he said, in his speech.

The year 2006, specifically October 25, was a memorable date for Yap too as her three children, Jeffrey Jr Chi, Jason and Jeffferson got married on the same day.

“They wanted it that way and we, as parents, agreed to it. It was a triple blessing from God.

“I couldn’t have achieved what I have today without the backing of a supportive spouse and my family.”

Ironically for someone who has left such a mark on the teaching profession, Yap’s interest was in Law. However, the offer of a teaching scholarship to do a degree at Universiti Malaya was something she could not turn down.

After obtaining her BA in English, Yap did a Diploma in Education and was subsequently posted to the Sandakan Teachers’ Training College.

It was at the Schools Inspectorate that Yap honed her leadership skills. As its head in Tawau, Yap applied some of the principles of management and leadership that she later replicated in SM Teknik, Tawau.

Her success in the district of Tawau, which became the best zone in Malaysia, led to her appointment as principal of SM Vokasional Tawau, as it was then known.

As for her leadership style, Yap quotes the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership that act as her guiding principles – Model the way, Inspire a shared vision, Challenge the process, Enable others to act and Enable the heart.

“The responsibility to raise the quality of a school rests with the principal. The important thing is to inject a sense of personal excellence in the teachers.”

In everything that she does, Yap feels that she is answering a call from God. Although she has become famous because of her work at SM Teknik Tawau, Yap is quick to stress that it was never a solo effort.

“I had a wonderful team who worked with me. I cannot claim the credit for myself. It was a team effort.”

Yap dedicates her book to Hishammuddin and former Education director-general Tan Sri Abdul Rafie Mahat.

“I always strive to emulate Tan Sri Abdul Rafie’s humanistic approach. I consider him my professional mentor.”

She is also grateful to the present education director-general Datuk Dr Ahamad Sipon, who was formerly deputy-director general in charge of technical and vocational education.

Yap was not computer-literate when she became the principal of SM Teknik Tawau. Realising that ICT was the future, Yap taught herself to be proficient in its use.

“I had to lead by example and show that the pengetua (principal) had no phobia about IT. I knew that if I expected my teachers to use IT, I had to know it myself.”

Although Yap’s leadership has extended beyond her students’ scholastic achievements, the academic results have been remarkable.

SM Teknik Tawau scored 100% passes in the Technical Stream in the 2005 SPM examination for the eighth consecutive year.

According to Yap, a sizeable number of students joined with the minimum qualification of “D” in the core subjects after completing their PMR examinations in other schools.

“Although we don't get the cream of PMR graduates as some other schools, we manage to change their attitude towards studies as proven by last year's group and those of previous years,’’ she was quoted as saying in a local daily.

Yap attributes it to her conscious efforts to inject the culture of “personal excellence” among the teachers.

What she noticed when she first stepped into the school was the lack of a support system.

Her successor will certainly have a hard act to follow. However, Yap has no doubt that SM Teknik Tawau will continue to remain in the forefront “as the culture of excellence has become deeply ingrained.”

Plaudits from peers

I REALLY admire her. As a former student, I can see that she has done a lot for the school. Our school has become famous because of what Mary Yap has achieved. She is a dynamic and open-minded principal, although she is strict too. She supports the teachers and welcomes ideas from us. She also recognises our contributions by holding an awards or “Oscar” night. – Lim Siew Khing, Teacher, SM Teknik Tawau

MARY Yap's vision for the school is clear, so it is easy for us to aim for it. Whenever we achieve something, she always acknowledges it, even if it is just by some motivating words. She never forgets us and does not bear grudges. Although there is a lot of work, we do not mind because the school environment is conducive and we have a lot of facilities. – Mohamad Yamalang, Teacher, SM Teknik Tawau

MARY Yap is a principal who gives us plenty of opportunities to grow and to develop. She cares about the welfare of the staff. For example, she always encourages those who want to further their studies. She also gives us tips on grooming and deportment when we go for the Education Service Commission interview to be confirmed in our posts. The most important thing is, she really loves the students. – Shamsul Nizam Shamsudin, Teacher, SM Teknik Tawau