Shaq Munisamy has been a special-education teacher for over 20 years, and for the past decade, a stand-up comedian as well.

This Teacher’s Day, FMT Lifestyle spoke to Shaq to learn more about her unusual journey from the classroom to the comedy stage.

The Penang-born found her way into comedy about 10 years ago after spontaneously attending a workshop.

“I never set out to be a comedian,” she told FMT Lifestyle. “I grew up in a family where you’re not supposed to laugh out loud, it was almost uncivilised.”

Shaq explained that her teaching career prompted her to try something more carefree.

“I find teaching very exhausting. To me, comedy is – I hate to say, like therapy. As a teacher, you are very restricted in your behaviour, you have to set a good example. As a comedian, you kind of let loose. So, I find that it’s a good balance,” she said.

Shaq, now in her 50s, made her open-mic debut in 2017 and is currently a show producer at Spicy Dicey Comedy.

As one of the very few Malaysian Indian women in stand-up, she often jokes about womanhood and menopause, frequently unleashing her dark humour. In fact, most of her shows are rated 18+.

“On the inside, I’m actually quite scared of speaking in front of a crowd. But when you get laughs from a huge audience… I live for moments like that,” Shaq said.

She has also performed “Teacher Gone Wild”, drawing on her own experiences. And on Teacher’s Day, she is performing a special show called “Cikgu Got Jokes”.

Surprisingly, Shaq said there are parallels between both her careers, like holding students’ attention and engaging an audience. She often applies the same philosophy to both.

“I’ve performed in rooms where people are very cold, and ‘you can’t make me laugh no matter what you do’. It’s not their fault or mine, maybe it’s just their character. I feel it’s the same with students. If there are certain students who just cannot do maths, you can’t keep harping on that.”

She also makes an effort not to base her comedy on putting others down. Shaq, who looks up to local comedians like Joanne Kam, admitted that stand-up requires consistent practice.

“I wish more people would try doing comedy, not necessarily to be a comedian but just to build confidence,” she said.

Despite finding a new passion, Shaq continues to teach special-needs children part-time in a private school.

“I think the best moments, especially with special-needs kids, are always the little achievements.

“Let’s say I give them a spelling test, and they get two or three out of 10 correct. But when you teach them using a different method, and they get eight or nine out of 10 right, the joy in their faces, oh my goodness!” Shaq said with a smile.

She’s also noted that being a special needs teacher in Malaysia, particularly within the government system, is tough.

“The sector has improved a lot since I first started, but many teachers still find it difficult to cope with the increasing number of students,” she said

So, her advice to aspiring teachers?

“If anyone wants to become a teacher, I really respect them. It’s not a 9-to-5 job. You get invested in your students’ lives, particularly special-needs kids, and even parents look up to you for advice. If you look at it as just a job, don’t become a teacher.”

Now gradually transitioning away from teaching, Shaq is focusing more on comedy, even hoping for a Netflix special.

“I like the trajectory of my life. I’m glad I pursued teaching but I feel that comedy is my journey now,” she said.

Follow Shaq Munisamy on Instagram.