Lessons Beyond Academics: Fatherhood

As Father's Day is round the corner, we catch up with Class of 2017 alumni Daryl Chiang, who is marking his very first Father's Day as a new dad. The founder of Acer Academy opens up about balancing a rapidly growing business with a growing family, and how his time at SJI International prepared him for the most rewarding role of his life: being a dad to baby Elora.

1. This is your very first Father’s Day! How does it feel to officially be on the "receiving end" of the holiday this year? How do you plan to celebrate?

It feels very surreal, in the best way. For the longest time, Father’s Day was a day where I celebrated my own father and the father figures around me. This year, to be on the “receiving end” for the first time feels incredibly special and humbling.

Becoming a father has given me a new appreciation for the quiet sacrifices that parents make every single day. Even in these early months, I am beginning to understand that fatherhood is not just about the big milestones, but also the small daily moments — holding my daughter, helping with feeds, watching her slowly grow, and learning to be present for my family.

We are keeping the celebration simple. At this stage, the best gift is really just spending time together as a family, having a nice meal, and soaking in this new chapter of life.

2. Between the “newborn haze” and managing Acer Academy, 

how are you balancing the demands of a growing business with a growing family? 

To be very honest, I am still learning. There are definitely days where it feels like everything is happening at once: business decisions, team matters, 6 new outlets just this year alone, and then coming home to a newborn who needs your full attention.

What has helped me is learning to be more intentional with my time. At work, I try to focus on the things that really matter and trust my team more. At home, I remind myself to be fully present, even if it is just for a short window of time.

Running Acer Academy has always required discipline, resilience, and a lot of problem-solving. Fatherhood requires the same, but with a lot more patience and heart. I would not say I have found the perfect balance yet, but I am learning to build a life where both family and business can grow together, without one taking away from the other.

3. In what ways did your time at SJI International prepare you for the unpredictable challenges of fatherhood?

SJI International taught me many things beyond academics. It taught me to be grounded, adaptable, and to care about the people around me. Those values have become very relevant in fatherhood.

Fatherhood is unpredictable. Some days go as planned, and many days do not. My time at SJI International helped shape the way I approach challenges: with patience, humility, and the willingness to keep learning.

It also taught me the importance of community. Whether in school, business, or family life, no one grows alone. As a new father, I have come to appreciate the support of my wife, our families, and the people around us even more.

4. You’ve always worked closely with the parents of your students at your tuition centres. Now that you are officially a parent yourself, do you view their worries, anxieties, and hopes for their kids with a new level of empathy?

Definitely. Even before becoming a parent, I understood that parents want the best for their children. Now, I feel that on a much deeper level.

As a parent, you naturally worry about whether you are making the right decisions, whether your child is happy, whether they are developing well, and whether you are giving them the right environment to grow. I now understand that many of the concerns parents share with us at Acer Academy come from a place of deep love.

It has made me more empathetic and patient when speaking with parents. Behind every question about grades, progress, or confidence is usually a parent who simply wants their child to be doing okay and to have a better future. That perspective has become even more meaningful to me now.

5. What unique aspect of your SJI International education do you hope your children also experience, whether in their schooling or life?

One thing I really valued about SJI International was that education was not only about results. There was a strong emphasis on character, service, independence, and learning how to think.

That is something I hope my daughter experiences too, whether it is in school or through life itself. I hope that Elora grows up curious, kind, confident, and grounded. Academic success is important, but I believe it should come together with values, resilience, and the ability to care for others.

More than anything, I hope they learn to be good people first: people who are willing to work hard, stay humble, and contribute meaningfully in their own way.
 

6. If your child chooses to follow in your entrepreneurial footsteps one day, what is the #1 piece of advice you’d want them to remember?

If my child chooses to be an entrepreneur one day, I would probably share with her the lessons I learnt from watching my own father build his business.

Growing up, I saw that entrepreneurship was not always glamorous. It required sacrifice, resilience, humility, and the courage to keep going even when things were uncertain. My father taught me, through his actions, that success is not built overnight. It comes from showing up consistently, treating people well, taking responsibility, and staying grounded through both good and difficult seasons.

So the #1 advice I would want my child to remember is this: always conduct your business with good ethics and integrity. Whatever you choose to build, do it with sincerity, work hard for it, and never forget the people who supported you along the way.

7. What words of encouragement would you give to other young alumni who are currently trying to launch their careers or businesses while navigating the beautiful chaos of new parenthood?

There is a lot of pressure to have everything figured out, especially when you are building a career or business while also becoming a new parent. The truth is, no one gets everything right all the time. There will be tiring days, mistakes, and moments where you feel stretched.

At the same time, there is a lot of beauty in this season. Parenthood gives you a stronger sense of purpose. It reminds you what you are working for, and it teaches you to become more patient, more disciplined, and more intentional.

My words of encouragement would be to keep going, but do not forget to be present. Build your career, chase your goals, and work hard, but also treasure the small moments at home. Your business may grow quickly, but your child will grow even faster.