In today’s fast paced world, where most of us are still figuring out one role, Marie Dashani Matthews confidently juggles many at once an educator, fashion model, content creator, and entrepreneur. But for her, these aren’t isolated parts. All of those roles blend into a life led with heart, discipline, and purpose.
When you speak to Marie, one thing becomes clear, she doesn’t approach her life as a checklist of achievements. She embraces every title with passion and intention.
Q: You wear many hats as an educator, entrepreneur, model and content creator. How do you balance all these roles?
A: I don’t look at these roles as just a mere job. As cliché as it sounds, I am driven by passion and love. The key to successfully juggling between teaching, modelling, creating content and running a business is prioritizing and planning. I work around the clock. I have my classes scheduled back-to-back on certain days of the week, I dedicate 3-4 days for my Saree business- AshaRiie’s and if any gig comes along, the way, I plan it around my schedule.
Falling In Love with Chemistry
Marie’s journey into teaching wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t always clear, but it was deeply rooted in love for the subject and the people who helped her fall in love with it. She was a straight A student, and at the age of 17 (Form 5), she was awarded Best Chemistry Student. And that embarked her journey to become a Chemistry Tutor.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey into teaching? What inspired you to pursue Chemistry tutoring?
A: There are three factors that made me embark in chemistry tutoring. Chemistry has been my forte since school. From being the class topper to being awarded the best Chemistry student in school, out of all the subjects I excelled in, chemistry would still top the chart. They often say ‘if you love the teacher, you would automatically love the subject!’ shout-out to my amazing teachers like Mr. Lim, Puan Grace Chin and Mr. Sivaneson who were so dedicated and their teaching made me excel.
A Journey Paved by Grit, Grace and a Little Push From Life
Marie’s answer didn’t stop there. What followed was a deeply personal and reflective account of how her entire educational and professional journey shaped her commitment to chemistry and education.
She was raised by a single mother, who taught her how to be independent and constantly encouraged her to go beyond her comfort zone. Right after her SPM, her mother asked Marie to start working. So, she began tutoring primary school children and taught chemistry to a friend’s sister while also working as a clinic assistant.
She then pursued her A-Levels while continuing to tutor. After completing her A-Levels, she worked as a part-time teacher at SMK St.Mary. Later, Marie went on to pursue a degree in biochemistry and worked at several major companies, but she knew it wasn’t her true calling.
She then decided to take a break, but things didn’t go as planned. A friend who worked at an international school called to say that their school was looking for a chemistry teacher. Marie attended the interview, and got the job. She became the only chemistry teacher at the school, teaching six different levels, including IGCSE and A-Level.
A: It wasn’t easy, lesson preparation for 6 different syllabus takes a lot of time but I did it simply because I love the subject and I loved my students, they taught me that you can only win them with love, they will only accept your scolding/advise and not be rebellious if they know that you love and care for them.
Later on, she worked at HELP Academy as an A-Level chemistry teacher and started AshaRiie’s while working there. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she quit her job to fully focus on entrepreneurship and content creation. However, she didn’t let go of teaching, Marie continued tutoring, no matter how tight her schedule was.
An educator at Heart, Even in Solitude
Marie’s connection to teaching is super strong, she even reimagines her study sessions as actual lessons.
A: Having mentioned innate, I have to share this important aspect that shows that teaching is my calling. My study method. I am a very studios person, and when I revise, I actually teach myself, I imagine having a classroom of students, I would walk around while speaking and memorising my points out loud and from time to time I will even ask myself out loud; ‘you got it right, do you understand’ and that’s me asking and answering myself.
Turning Concepts into Curiosity
For Marie, teaching Chemistry isn’t just about explaining scientific laws, its about sparking curiosity.
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching Chemistry, a subject many students find challenging?
A: I enjoy breaking down complicated portions into simpler forms and I love seeing my students finally understanding the concepts they have been struggling with. I love teaching trends and I always encourage my students to ask why. Memorising trends can be difficult and often involves mix up; however, I always encourage them to understand the reasons behind any trends, to have a flow in the who thought process and memorising would become effortless. Chemistry is all around us, I love relating the concepts to the real world; why ice floats on water, why is diamond more expensive than graphite when they are both made up of carbon, why do we brush our teeth with toothpaste and so many more!
Redefining What Success Looks Like
To her, success isn’t measured by Straight A’s alone–its about the progress, growth, and emotional connection.
Q: Can you share a proud moment when you saw one of your students succeed?
A: It will be partial for me to pick just one success story out of all the students I have taught. Each and every student is a success story as each of them has performed to their best capacity. I have had students who has started of with a C and turned it into and A. My extremely significant success story will be with students who start off not liking the subject and then end up developing the same love and passion I have for chemistry. This right here, is my biggest win! Also, I have two students who sat for almost 8 subjects for IGCSE and only got an A for Chemistry.
Creativity in the Chemistry Lab
Marie believes creativity belongs in science toom it’s how she makes complex ideas stick,
Q: Do you believe creativity plays a role in teaching science? If so, how do you incorporate it?
A: Every student has a different understanding capacity. I believe creativity plays a role in teaching any subject. With experience, an educator will know how to teach or make students understand in their own way. They are many teaching methods and every approach is developed out of an educator’s creative mind. I personally incorporate examples of real-life scenarios, the science behind small relatable activities to help my students remember and understand better.
To those who feel science isn’t ‘for them’, Marie offers this grounded advice:
“May it be the science field or arts field, when you feel disconnected, always go back and tell yourself why you chose that particular path and before you give up on anything, you must be a 100% sure that you have given best. A positive mindset and effort always change the way we approach a subject. “
A Support System That Fuels Her Fire
Q: How do you stay motivated and innovative in both your tutoring and content creation journey?
A: The biggest motivation factor that keeps me going is the love and appreciation I receive from my students, well-wishers, friends and family. The fact that they believe in my work, engage with my content, is a constant reminder of why I started my journey. It pushes me to give my best and I am eternally grateful for the support. My husband, my mother and my close friends make up my cheerleading team, they inspire me, they motivate me and they are also my best critics.
Young, Passionate, and Proud–Despite the Doubt
Being a young woman with an online presence has brought both admiration and doubt, but Marie’s commitment to her work speaks louder than options.
Q: As a young educator and entrepreneur, have you faced any challenges being taken seriously in both fields? How did you overcome them?
A: Given my petite size and age, I am often judged in the teaching field. In our society, senior educators gain trust and respect more easily. Young educators are looked down upon until we produce the results.
I always believe in my teaching, I have put in a lot of effort in my preparations and I am passionate so I know I can deliver, usually for tuition, it takes one class for me to gain their trust. Sometimes, parents do sit in for the first classes with or without my knowledge and I am completely okey with it because it is important for them to know that their child is in good hands.
She’s also earned her place as an entrepreneur, despite challenges
A: On the entrepreneurial side, I am taken more seriously today. I think I have built the trust along the way may it be with my suppliers or my customers. The challenge on this side isn’t because of the age factor but because of the nature of business we are in. We sell most of our sarees online, hence, we have to put in a lot of effort to gain the trust of our customers.
Teaching Life Beyond the Textbook
Beyond the science, grades, and success stories, Marie wants her students to grow as people.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about an A, education has to be looked upon as something that builds character in an individual, something that prepares a person for life later on. Students often think ‘why do I have to study this, is it going to be useful in the future since I am going to be doing something that is completely unrelated’ well, my answer for that is:
A: What you study today may not be useful to you in the future but how you study it, how you process a particular information, your attentivity is important for the future. You take this a long way even into the working world.
B: Coming for classes on time and finishing homework builds credibility in a person. You learn how to be committed from young and you carry that beyond your classroom, these instil good work ethics.
C: do it once and do it well’ is something that I always mention in class, always give your 100%, don’t do it for the sake of doing it and end up repeating the whole thing.
A Teacher’s Day Reflection That Comes Full Circle
And as she reflects on her journey, as it is the Teacher’s Day month, Marie shares a deeply heartfelt message:
“There was a point in my life where I did not know what I want to do, especially after SPM, all I knew was that I love Chemistry, I am a people person, I love to inspire people and make a difference in their lives. That has led me where I am today, be it teaching, content creation or Ashariie’s”.
She then shares,
“A teacher inspires, builds and moulds personality, a teacher is a friend who guides the student on what’s right and wrong, a teacher keeps things real without sugar coating. ‘Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam’ It stands for ‘Mother, Father, Teacher, God’, highlighting the important role that each has in the growth of an individual, third in the hierarchy and that’s how impactful a teacher can be. I am grateful to have come across amazing teachers throughout my journey, they have made significant difference in my life hence till date (I am in my 30s now), I make it a point to wish and acknowledge all my teachers on Teacher’s Day, I am actually still in touch with most of them too. Happy Teacher’s Day”
Marie is a proof that passion, purpose, and perseverance can coexist, and thrive. Her journey reminds us that teaching is not confined to classrooms and that inspiration often comes from those who dare to wear many hats with love and passion. Whether as a tutor or entrepreneur, Marie continues to educate, uplift and empower, and that in every sense—is what makes her story truly remarkable.
All information has been provided by Marie.
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