From roller skating to shaping to young minds
Alvin Chan stays true to his calling
“Each time you fall, rise with courage. Persevere, seek excellence, and give your very best.”
Not only is this the motto of Alvin Chan, a former member of the Hong Kong Roller Skating Representative Team but it is also his hope for educating the next generation. Currently studying the Bachelor of Education with Honours in Early Childhood Education (Leadership and Special Educational Needs) Programme at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), he aspires to become an outstanding teacher so that he can inspire children to be brave in trying new things, to push their boundaries and to realise their potential by drawing on his own experiences.
Alvin began learning roller skating at the age of six and joined the Hong Kong team at nine, competing in open competitions, and for many years skating shoulder to shoulder with his younger brother also in the Hong Kong team. Focusing on sprint events while his brother excelled in endurance, they not only entered individual races but also teamed up for relays. “The most unforgettable one was the 2015 championship: my brother took the first leg, which gave our team the early advantage; I then sprinted full throttle on the third leg. Thanks to excellent teamwork, we ultimately won second place. The competition was intense. When we crossed the line, we were only one wheel ahead of the third-place team. It was very exciting.” Even after many years, Alvin still recalls it vividly – that race remains a collective memory for the two brothers.
Lessons learnt from roller skating for education
“I love the rush of roller skating, especially that split second in a turn when you can slip past your opponent.” To that end, he worked hard to improve his cornering skills. During an overseas training camp, he once spent four straight hours practising the turn, and even when his toes blistered and tore from friction, he kept going. This spirit of perseverance and pursuit of excellence also defines Alvin's approach as a roller-skating instructor after retirement. He recalls teaching a young child with autism the basic techniques of crossover steps and weight shifts.
Lacking a sense of security, the child had always held the instructor's hand during lessons and was slow to grasp the essentials. “I encouraged him never to give up, and at the same time tried different methods to help him overcome the psychological barrier and bravely take the first step. From that day his skills steadily improved, and he revealed more potential than anyone expected.” This experience made Alvin deeply appreciate the meaning and sense of achievement in educational work; he aspires to become a kindergarten teacher and influence lives.
Encouraged by mentors, honoured once again
To realise his dream, Alvin enrolled in the Bachelor of Education with Honours in Early Childhood Education Programme at HKMU. He not only immersed himself in learning diverse teaching theories and techniques but also seized opportunities to participate in external competitions for self-improvement. Last year, he volunteered to enter the Hong Kong Outstanding Prospective Teachers Award, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Prospective Teachers Association and the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association. The art lesson plan he created earned him a Merit Award. Even so, Alvin was not content. On the recommendation of his two mentors, Dr Dorothy Tong Nga-yui and Keith Ho Kwok-man, he entered the competition again this year with a lesson plan based on his strength in sports. In the end, Alvin did not disappoint and won the Merit Award once more. He is grateful for his mentors' support and hopes to become a teacher and mentor who can both inspire and guide his students.
Alvin is currently also a student mentor in the SENsitivity Buddies Programme organised by Student Affairs Office (SAO) of HKMU. In this role he proactively cares for and supports students with special learning needs on campus and organises outreach activities to help other university students understand what special learning needs are, to cultivate empathy and to build an inclusive campus culture. He says: “HKMU offers all kinds of extracurricular activities, and U-Life is full of colour. I encourage students to try new things, explore widely, develop their talents, discover what's possible and keep pushing their limits.”
Alvin Chan
