Teachers in the Spotlight: Jack Yim

In the eleventh of our regular series of interviews with staff at Dulwich International High School Suzhou, we are delighted to present the highlights of an interview with Jack Yim: Physics Teacher, Head of House Grenville and Assistant Head of CCAs at our school.

 1  Where are you from and where did you grow up?  

I grew up in Hong Kong(China) but when I was 10 year old, I went to the UK to do the rest of my education. So Hong Kong(China) and the UK.

 2  Tell us about your Educational background + teaching experience. 

I did my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering at Greenwich University, then did my masters in Mechanical Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and did my teaching degree PGDE at the University of Hong Kong. I was a primary teaching assistant at Renaissance College in Hong Kong. I was teaching year 3s and 4s. Now I have been at Dulwich International High School Suzhou for 3 years.

 3  When did you realize you wanted to become a teacher? 

I realized that I wanted to become a teacher when I was in Year 11. I did work experience in a local Primary school and a college in the UK. That was the moment when I fell in love with teaching and I love interacting with students.

 4  Who is your biggest role model? 

I would say there is not one but a pair of them and they are my parents. They have taught me a lot in life and still teaching me about how to handle different situations in the present. They have shaped me and made me who I am today. I am forever grateful for that.  

 5  What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy most about them? 

I love swimming long distances either in the pool or in the open sea, running half marathons and singing. I love how free you could be in the ocean/ the scenery and spend more time appreciating the secrets of nature. I love how I can enjoy it with either my open water swimming friends or running friends.

 6  What is most rewarding about your job? 

The most rewarding thing about my job is seeing my students inspired by Physics and wanting to discover more of what is out there in the world.

 7  If you could be in any musical or movie or a book character what would it be? Why?

If I could be in any musical or movie or a book character, that would be Pikachu. The reason why I choose Pikachu is that he brings smiles to everyone and he is a fighter. He would fight through any problems without giving up.

 8  What food is like a guilty pleasure to you? 

I would say anything that is sweet. I have a real soft spot for really sweet things.

 9  Describe yourself in 3 words. 

Funny, Caring and Unique.

10 Tell us about your experiences living in Suzhou.

I love Suzhou. Everything is very well organized and everything is so cheap.

11 How do you find teaching Chinese students/or students?

Amazing. The students are enjoyable to teach and they are hardworking as well. It is always a pleasure to teach them.

12  Any advice to students at Dulwich international High School Suzhou? 

Also, be yourself and don’t let anyone change who you are. Be kind and true to who you are and to others. Think before you speak, think before you do. ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS and cherish them forever because you only have a pair of them in your life.

13 What are your plans for the next 5 years?

To continue to inspire students not just at Dulwich International High Suzhou Suzhou, but hopefully getting a chance to work in other Dulwich Schools and spread my positivity to them as well!