ACS (Junior) teachers
reflect on their calling 

We gathered our teachers recently and spent some time reflecting and discussing in groups about our calling to be teachers. Here is a selection of responses from the bottom of their hearts.

“What inspires you to be a teacher?”

• The love for nurturing the whole child and the satisfaction gained from making a difference is indescribable.

• It is a privilege to be able to impact lives in their formative years.

• As teachers, we see teaching as more than a job; it is a passion, a calling from God. A teacher educates, guides, cares and inspires.

• Our own experiences with teachers who have inspired us –teachers who did not give up on us and cause us to reach out to help others and touch lives.

• We are educating the future leaders of our country. How the future leaders of our country will be like depends partly on us. In all fields of respectable work in future, we hope they will shine.

• Who knows what apples can come from one seed? “Anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple… but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” – Robert Schuller When we first look at an apple seed, it seems insignificant. Yet, it could contain the potential for an apple tree and more apple trees. The potential of that seed is never exhausted as long as there are new trees with new apples containing more seeds. Similarly, in my students, I sow seeds. I see the potential in them to impact society and desire to influence their lives.

What are some challenges?

• It is a challenge to convince parents who do not share the same sentiments and may sometimes foster learned helplessness. However, we also take it as an opportunity to make a difference and work with the family.

• Managing more than 30 different children from different backgrounds and with different personalities and backgrounds – each with their own needs, including special needs – can be a challenge as we strive to teach them in a structured classroom setting.Keeping up with the high energy level of a class of 30-40 boys can be demanding but rewarding.

• We seek work-life harmony and a worklife balance as we juggle work and our own family commitments. We try to find time for our own family and also personal reflection and development.

What are the rewarding experiences?

• It is rewarding to see students realise and maximise their potential through the holistic education we provide.

• Watching the children under our care grow and improve, or helping them to just cope with their difficulties in both academic and social emotional competencies – how they relate with their peers and those in authority such as teachers, maintain friendships, become more responsible and socially aware – is rewarding to us.

• When the students are engaged in what they are learning, I derive satisfaction from a job well done.

• There is great teamwork and strong support among colleagues here in ACS (Junior).“I will never be a teacher. Never.” That was what I told myself when I was a student, after one of those days when we had given our teachers a really hard time. Years later, as a young working adult with a totally different career, the Lord spoke to me and told me to make the midcareer switch to teaching. That was many years back. Strangely, after all these years, I never switched out of teaching! Reason? It turns out that I actually enjoy teaching! There has never been a dull moment in the classroom and the Lord knows that I needed some colour in my life.

• We will never forget the notes and e-mail of thanks from students and parents. Such gestures warm our hearts.

• When parents and students recognise our efforts and trust us, it motivates us to continue giving of our best.

• When you see the boys taking an interest in making a positive impact in the lives of others in the community, that outweighs everything else!