"I’ve realised just how important it was for me to inspire kids; to make meaning of what they’re doing, to understand that whatever they’re doing has a purpose, and to bring out the best of their own capabilities, whatever that may be."
- Samuel Isaiah -
The teacher who traveled 200 km a day to inspire indigenous students
Samuel Isaiah, or “Teacher Sam” as he is fondly known to his pupils, is best known for his commitment to educating the Orang Asli (indigenous) children of SK Runchang, Pahang.
Upon completing his bachelor's degree in 2011, Samuel had hoped to serve in an elite urban school with the best facilities and environment.
Instead, he was deployed to a rural primary school for indigenous children, where, on his first day, quickly saw that the main obstacle in teaching these children was the perception held by other teachers that the indigenous children were not worth their efforts.
Making learning richer and more equitable
During his stint at the school, Samuel explored various innovative methods of teaching using nature, indigenous pedagogy, technology, music and arts, to inspire a love for learning and bridge the substantial education gap faced by the community.
Samuel also spearheaded a crowdfunding initiative to furnish a classroom with laptops and tablets, ensuring Orang Asli children received the same learning opportunities as their urban peers.
His efforts saw students improve in national examinations, while Samuel himself was nominated as a top 10 finalist for the 2020 Global Teacher Prize - referred to as the Nobel Prize for teaching.
Samuel and his students with their ukuleles. Using music was one of the ways
he engaged his students in inspiring and meaningful learning
Empowering his fellow teachers nationwide
As the Programme Director of PEMIMPIN GSL, Samuel utilises his teaching experience to improve school leadership in Malaysia, leading a team to train and equip leaders in 30 Orang Asli schools in Perak, with plans to expand the program to all 98 Orang Asli schools nationwide, ensuring every student has access to quality education.
Samuel also co-founded Edufication, a teacher network that aimed to expand the boundaries of education and ignite critical discourse in Malaysia, and spearhead a nationwide programme called the “Cikgu Kickstart Awards” which provided Malaysian public schools teachers grants, professional development, and networking opportunities.
PEMIMPIN GSL team at the recent graduation of their first cohort of middle leaders
From rural classroom, to national council
In 2021, Samuel was inducted into the Majlis Pemulihan Negara council formed by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2021.
It was a council that aimed to improve economic stability, empower education, and improve the healthcare system which was ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this council, Samuel played the role of providing the Malaysian government with relevant policy recommendations to enhance recovery initiatives.
Inspiring the next generation of educators
Being nominated as one of the top 10 finalists for the 2020 Global Teacher Prize, he inspires and motivates other young and aspiring teachers to create more impact in the education field.
Samuel’s contribution as an expert in the teaching field may also inspire younger Malaysians to take up teaching as a profession, which could help the talent pipeline of teachers in Malaysia, attract more bright candidates to educate the future generations, and improve the education field and prospect of the nation.
Despite all the accolades, Samuel strongly stands by his students and the notion that after all these years, it is his students that are his greatest achievements.
Launch of the inaugural Malaysia Teacher Prize (MTP)