“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” by Henry Ford. His words remind me to stay focused on my objectives. Keeping my vision in sight makes challenges appear less daunting.

Following the pre-arrival Zoom meeting on August 19th, 2025, I was delighted to receive a message from Ms. Leeann, a Program Officer with the Fulbright Teacher Exchanges team at IREX. She invited me to share my inspirations and plans for my upcoming Fulbright experience. IREX often highlights the stories of current participants to share with the program’s funders at the U.S. Department of State, and I am honored to contribute my journey.

I was inspired to apply for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange by the profound opportunity to gain firsthand experience within the U.S. educational system. I am particularly eager to study innovative approaches in Educational Technology and STEM pedagogy. Furthermore, I aim to fully immerse myself in American school culture to enhance my own teaching practice and bring valuable insights back to my community.

My Background as a Deaf Neurodivergent educator which I fitted with a Cochlear Implant system. This personal experience directly informs my professional passion. I serve as a Special Needs Educator at a government secondary school in Malaysia, where I also hold the role of Head of IT and Innovation for the Special Needs Program. My students are between 15 and 17 years old and have a variety of learning differences, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia; they are often identified as slow learners. I teach them Vocational Education with a dedicated focus on Multimedia Design, equipping them with practical, essential skills for their future.

I am most excited to observe special education classrooms in the U.S. I specifically hope to learn about American approaches to play-based learning, educational games, and individualized goal-setting strategies for deaf neurodivergent students. I am confident that these innovative techniques will allow me to create a more engaging and effective learning environment in my own classroom. And I am committed to sharing this knowledge with the wider educational community in Malaysia.

Following the exchange, I plan to channel this inspiration into establishing a “Magic Room” at my school. This initiative will create a safe, adaptive space designed to meet the diverse sensory and emotional needs of my students. The room will feature an immersive learning environment where students can experiment with AR/VR technology, LEGO-based play therapy, and art performance Studio. The ultimate goal is to create a fun, sensory-friendly hub where transformative, hands-on learning can flourish.