To (Understanding) Physics and Beyond!: Teachers’ Day 2024

By Qiu Bixin (25A01A)

Featuring Mr Soh Wei Kuan
Special thanks to Teo Hui Sian (25S06C) and Keng Yi, Nicole (25S03S)

As the three of us walked into the interview, I had no idea what to expect. Out of the three of us, I was the only one who hadn’t taken Physics since Year 2, a good three years ago—if he started talking about some Physics concept in the middle of the interview, my mind would go completely blank. 

Once the interview started though, I heaved a sigh of relief. Other than the fact that no actual Physics was involved in the interview, Mr Soh broke down his teaching method in a very digestible way—a way that even someone who has no knowledge of Physics concepts can understand. This can be credited to Mr Soh’s extensive experience in teaching Physics, as although this is his first year teaching in RI, Mr Soh had previously taught Physics in Nanyang JC (NYJC) for more than two decades. 

Variables and constants… in teaching?!

The variables refer to the questions that come out, while the constants refer to the formulas and solving methods that the student should have in mind prior to doing any question. “So the student needs to realise that […] what is more important is the constant and not so much about the solutions of the questions.” Hence, what Mr Soh focuses on in his lessons is teaching the constants—the problem-solving techniques—to his students and ensuring that they understand these constants. 

Mr Soh came up with this teaching framework throughout his years teaching—at NYJC, and now, at RI. “To come up with this kind of framework,” he said, “you need to have a very strong understanding of the subject, and you also need to [try this framework out yourself].” He provided an analogy of cooking: if you want to make a good bowl of wonton mee, you yourself must find your cooking delicious too. 

But… why Physics? Why teach?

Though, speaking of a “very strong understanding” of Physics, Mr Soh has just that. His love for Physics (and by extension, Maths) started when he was young. “I’ve naturally been comfortable with Maths since young,” Mr Soh told us. He then went on to take Further Maths, Maths, Econs and Physics (although he dropped Econs in JC2… kind of real of him, to be honest) in JC, before moving on to studying Civil Engineering in National University of Singapore (NUS). 

But perhaps, the most puzzling question for me was, “Why do you like Physics?” To him, it’s “very simple”. 

That instantly simplified the appeal of the subject for me. Although I still didn’t necessarily share that appeal, I could understand why someone might like it. The gratification you feel when you finally get something, and can finally apply it correctly to answer a question—that’s a feeling like no other. 

Indeed, Mr Soh’s most memorable experience in NUS was a Physics special lesson he took. He remembers being exhausted because this lesson was late in the evening. But even then, the lesson was incredibly fun for him because he thoroughly enjoyed what was taught in the lesson. 

So, his love for Physics led him to teach Physics. But why teach Physics? Well, Mr Soh, like some of us right now, took on tutoring jobs during his university years for some extra income (which is fair—who wouldn’t want some extra money on hand?). “[By the time] I graduated, I was already quite sure that I didn’t want to be an engineer—I wasn’t that interested after doing my [job] attachment,” Mr Soh shared with us. Conveniently, his twin brother (more about him in a bit!) went into teaching at the same time and Mr Soh followed in his footsteps. 

Mr Soh was initially quite hesitant about being a teacher, but while he was teaching at NYJC, he realised that he actually really loved the job. He told us, “My passion for teaching has increased along the way rather than decreasing.” His favourite part about being a teacher is seeing students who change their attitudes and character and excel, because of his teaching and guidance. 

Beyond Mr Soh the Physics Teacher: Who is Mr Soh the Human?

But Mr Soh is more than just a passionate Physics teacher: he’s also a family man, a Korean drama (K-drama) enthusiast, and the older one of a pair of twins. 

Mr Soh’s twin brother is also, amazingly, a Physics teacher—the science blood must run strong in their family. But that isn’t the only way Mr Soh and his twin brother (Mr Soh²) are similar. They’re also very similar in terms of their personalities and tastes, according to Mr Soh. Even the teaching philosophy (recall the wonton mee analogy?) they came up with is similar—without having discussed it with each other. “I guess it’s a DNA thing,” joked Mr Soh. 

Throughout the interview, it became quite obvious that Mr Soh loves his family deeply. He told us, “I tend to put my family as my number one priority”. Because of how busy it is being a teacher, Mr Soh tries to spend as much of his free time as he can with his family. “It could be as simple as going out together for a meal”—Mr Soh clearly treasures every second that he can spend with his family. 

But everyone needs some time alone, and Mr Soh is no exception. He spends that time watching Korean dramas (K-dramas) on Netflix. Originally a Hong Kong drama enthusiast, he started watching K-dramas after he switched to Netflix. He shared with us, with a slightly sheepish smile on his face, that one of his favourite K-dramas is The Good Bad Mother starring Ra Miran and Lee Dohyun, a heartwarming and funny K-drama about the reconciliation between a mother and son. 

As the interview drew to an end, we asked him about his aspirations in RI going forward. He told us that he hopes he can continue inspiring more students to see the joy of Physics. Understanding that many students struggle while learning Physics, he aims to help them realise that “the subject can be as easy as ABC”. 

To end this article, here is a quote Mr Soh would like to convey to all students. 

Wishing Mr Soh all the best in his teaching career ahead, and hoping he makes many fond memories with his family!

This article is originally featured in our Teachers’ Day 2024 Special Edition.