One of the chosen four, SMJK Ave Maria Convent's Liew - Ms Liew to her students - felt honoured to have been nominated for the title.
"I'm not a fan of makeovers but this is what my students are like.
"Even if I had said 'no', they'd still have found a way to make me say 'yes'!" said the 45-year-old head of the school's science department with a laugh.
In her nomination, Form Five student Chong Yong Wei, or the "chief campaigner" as she calls herself, listed 30 reasons why Ms Liew deserved to be a Teacher Idol.
Among them were: She bakes yummy brownies; she knows all the latest teenage trends; and she never complains, grumbles, nor laments about her stressful workload!
The 18-year-old added: "I am not the first, and will not be the last, to be touched and inspired by her to become a better person.
"She has not only taught me lessons in class.
"She has also taught me a great deal about life, especially about the importance of character and the power of forgiveness."
And to lend weight to her entry, Yong Wei included 26 pages of signatures from schoolmates, supporting her nomination of Ms Liew.
Yong Wei submitted 26 pages of signatures in a show of support for her favourite teacher Liew (inset, with spectacles).
It was the classic case of "before" and "after". The Teacher Idols came dressed in quiet conservatism. They left turning heads with their glamour and style.
The four -English teacher Raja Mukhtar Shah Raja Azman from SJK(C) Batu 9, Cheras, Bahasa Malaysia teacher Charles Ng Hon Yen from SMJK Hwa Lian, Mentakab, Science Department head Liew Swee Fong from SMJK Ave Maria Convent, Ipoh, and English teacher Vinothani - had gathered at Mid Valley Megamall by 9.30am.
After a quick round of introductions, they were ushered to their respective boutiques - Philosophy for the men and Salabianca for the women - to choose their new outfits.
Spoilt for choice
Liew had a field day, browsing through the racks of clothes. There were murmurs of delighted pleasure as she checked out the collection, some with delicate embroidery and semi-precious stones.
She then drew much laughter from the video crew and reporter when she discovered that she could not put on the earrings as the pierced holes on her ear lobes had closed up.
"This is what happens when you have not worn earrings for the past 15 years," she said.
Liew selected a classy evening dress with a matching shawl, saying that she preferred something less flamboyant as teachers are role models. Liew was attended to by senior stylist Jep Soo, who trimmed her fringe and hair to give it more volume. Soo also opted not to change Liew's hair colour, saying that black was classic.
Liew chose a high, empire-waisted dress in grey and silver, and another three-piece suit - a copper-coloured knee-length skirt with a sleeveless top and matching jacket.
Liew said the makeover was an extraordinary experience for her.
"I like my new hairstyle. It's trendy. Soo did a fantastic job," she said.
Perhaps Liew's former student Chong Yong Wei put it best when she said: "My friends love her new hairstyle because it makes her look younger.
"But frankly, I don't much care how she looks. To me, she is always beautiful."
