Teachers Selvamary Lourdesamy and Ilavarasi Kalimuthu are among the 25 recipients of the annual McDonald’s Anugerah Guru Inspirasi. McDonald’s Anugerah Guru Inspirasi is an award dedicated to celebrating and recognizing inspiring teachers that have gone beyond their call of duty to make long-lasting impacts on their students.
Since the awards inception in 2017, McDonald’s Malaysia has awarded 82 teachers for their unique and unconditional efforts for their students and received over 16,000 nominations from Malaysians all over the country with stories of how their teacher has impacted their lives.
This year’s 25 exceptional teachers were recognized for instilling strong moral values, becoming a pillar of strength for students going through the ups and downs of life, and never once giving up on building up students.
Ms Mary
“As a teacher, you don’t expect anything when you help your students. It always feels like it’s part of the job as we succeed when our students succeed,” said teacher Selvamary a/p Lourdesamy of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 12, Selangor upon finding out she was one of the winners for McDonald’s Anugerah Guru Inspirasi 2020.
Ms. Selvamary was nominated by one of her students that was immensely taken back by the compassion and dedication she had for her students. She was known for her effective notes for Biology and made the subject easy to understand.
She would also stay back for five hours every day to provide extra classes for her students that needed it. Known as a pillar of support for many of her students, they continue to visit her to this day and send her gifts on her birthday or Teacher’s Day long after graduating.
Cikgu Ilavarasi
Another nominated teacher is Mrs. Ilavarasi d/o Kalimuthu from SMK Kuala Ketil, Kedah. She was nominated by one of her students who lost direction in life and given up on her life after the passing of both her grandparents. Mrs. Ilavarasi never gave up on her and continued to motivate and provided her with emotional support.
She even transferred the student to the school she was teaching at. Cikgu Ilavarasi then supported her financially to help her complete her studies. The student has successfully turned over a new leaf and is currently an undergraduate student who will soon be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree.
Each of the 25 winners will receive RM5,000 in cash, a trophy, and certificate of recognition in conjunction with this year’s Teacher’s Day celebration. Nominators will receive RM200 worth of McDonald’s vouchers as a token of appreciation for the contribution of their stories. This year, in compliance with the nation’s Movement Control Order, McDonald’s worked with each teacher’s respective school personnel to surprise the winning teachers with their students via a video call.
Additionally, as a token of appreciation for educators this Teacher’s Day, McDonald’s Malaysia will be offering an exclusive deal available on the McDonald’s app. For RM14.99, get 2 medium iced lattes and 2 Oreo McFlurrys from 15 to 22 May 2020.
Click here to read all 25 stories, which tell moving tales on the efforts of these silent heroes.
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