Ignatius Lee has been a teacher for over five years, and handles English, Maths, Science, Social Studies and Religious Education at Montfort Junior School.

Why did you want to be a teacher?
My late father was a teacher. I was also influenced when I joined a mission group, Acts29, back in 2004. The works of a lady, Tita Leticia Reyes, who set up the Paaralang Pantao, a free school for underprivileged children in the Payatas dump site in Manila, as well as my friend, Sherlyn Khong, the founder of acts29, inspired me to desire to make a difference in the lives of children.

What would you say is the biggest challenge you face as a Catholic educator?
Having to juggle the many demands expected as an educator by MOE and trying to live out the faith as a Catholic in school can be challenging. As a Religious Education coordinator, the demands are great and I try to live out the values as best as I can.

How do you overcome these challenges?
I am thankful to have supportive colleagues and friends who offer suggestions or lend me a listening ear. Parent volunteers have been also very supportive and they have contributed much. Prayer is also essential and I try to spend some quiet time reading scriptures where possible.

If you weren’t a teacher today, how different would your life have been?
Perhaps I might be working as an accountant, since I did accounting back in Temasek Polytechnic. This changed when I became more involved in a mission group called Acts29, which is involved in mission work in the Philippines. At that time, acts29 was involved with the work of Paaralang Pantao at the Payatas dumpsite. This was a school set up by Leticia Reyes, Filipino lady who dedicated her life to providing informal education for children whose parents couldn’t afford proper schooling. During my encounters with the children, I was very touched by their simplicity and joy in their daily living. They were so happy even though they didn’t have much. Some barely had food to eat except during the feeding programme in the school. However, they were so hungry to study and learn. This changed my perception that perhaps, I should do something in my life to try and make a difference in the lives of children, just as they did for me. So I became a teacher, hoping to make at least some difference in the lives of children.

What is your fondest memory/experience as a teacher?
On teachers’ day, especially when my pupils write special notes of thank you. I even received a superhero comic strip last year which was really cute.

What do you like most about being a Catholic?
When I am challenged constantly in my faith, there is always the Eucharist to turn to. Mother Mary has also been my constant intercessor.

What do you like most about being a teacher?
To try and educate and impart values is most rewarding. Hopefully, I have set enough good examples.

Has your faith affected you in your role as a teacher in any way?
Since I am involved in Religious Education, I also have to read up on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and to turn to bible scriptures more often. Also, I get to pray every day and that is a constant reminder to prepare for the day ahead, which is challenging at times.

What are some of your key priorities as a teacher?
While teaching the subject knowledge and content is important, the need to spend time with each pupil can be challenging. There are many pupils who are desperately seeking attention and sometimes they do it the worst way possible—by disrupting the lessons. When I get the chance to, I try to talk to them or speak about the Christian values the school promotes; Compassion, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Service, Team Spirit, and Excellence.

What is one way you try to inspire your students?
Perhaps to encourage them not to give up when they don’t perform well in their studies. Small rewards can also be beneficial to boost their morale.

Do you try to share your faith with students? How so?
Teaching Religious Education is one way I do so. Sometimes, when I do speak on stage during sharings every Monday, I will try bringing in bible stories to relate to the everyday lives of students.

How do you keep close to God?
I do struggle to pray consistently during the week, especially during days when there is a lot of marking or other administrative work, which can pile up during the term. I was lucky to be put in charge of my school’s Catholic students society a few years ago. In a way, it forced me to re-examine my own spiritual growth because I had to start inculcating Catholic ethos into these pupils by teaching Religious Education. With my lack of experience as a parish catechist, I had to read other spiritual growth books and attend ACCS or other related faith formation courses so I could be more in tune with my spiritual growth. I try to read the Gospels daily, to help me be quiet for a moment and offer my challenges to God.

What brings you joy in life?
If I can make a difference, even in small ways. I was pleasantly surprised to see that three of my pupils recently joined the altar servers at Nativity church. It was great to see them continue their own faith journeys. Two of my non-Catholic pupils are also willing to serve during the school’s Friday Mass, so I’m happy to see them willing to contribute too.

What is your favourite scripture passage?
My favourite bible verse is Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

I always find the strength to carry on when I’m tired and weary through this verse. It also helps me realise that I can’t always depend on myself, I need to let go and let God take charge.

At the start of every new year, people come up with resolutions in order to improve their habits and the way they do things. But as time goes by, we often give up because they are too difficult or unrealistic to keep to. It is useful to reflect on the past year and pinpoint the areas in our lives that require change, so that we can make more focused goals. This can also serve as a time when we look back and examine our spiritual lives, and think about how to grow closer to God in the coming year. Here are a few simple steps to reflecting on the past year:

1. Make a timeline of the past year
Teachers are often very busy throughout the academic year, and lack the time to reflect on their own thoughts and actions. Putting words on paper is the fastest and most visual method for putting one’s ideas into perspective. Draw a timeline for the past year and ensure that every month in your timeline has enough space for note-taking.

2. Write down the major responsibilities you have undertaken each month
Teachers know that there are many different dimensions to teaching. Lesson planning, marking papers and disciplining students are all different parts of the same responsibility. Note down the things that required your attention. If you helped to plan an event in school, headed student programmes, or chaired a committee, note these down as well.

3. Write down what you have done well, and what can be improved
List down the things that you have done well. If your lessons are engaging students effectively or if their grades are improving – these are results that you want to repeat for the following year. Trace the methodology you used, and include it in your lesson plans and teaching strategy for the new year.

Next, consider the areas you think need extra attention. Are there disciplinary issues? Did students have difficulty learning? Teachers devote a lot of time and energy into making students learn, but different students learn at different paces. Consider the ways in which you can make your pedagogy more encompassing and effective.

Also, think about how you have carried God’s message in your teaching. Apart from teaching academic content, did you also impart correct values to your students? Did you promote any principles opposed to the faith or the Church’s teachings? Reflect on ways to better incorporate your spiritual mission into your professional calling.

4. Write down the most encouraging (and most discouraging) feedback you’ve received from students
At the heart of a teacher’s mission is her students. Recall the most encouraging feedback you received from your students. They may be comments that are seemingly trivial, like how nice you are to them, or how funny your lessons are. But these words give meaning to a teacher’s career, and make her know that her students care. Write them down as a reminder of the rewards of teaching!

On the other hand, teachers can become hurt and discouraged by negative words. In the bid to become role models for students, educators often forget that they are just as human as anyone. Reflect on comments from students that discouraged you. What were their motivations? Perhaps they do not fully understand your intentions? Or perhaps they have deeper issues affecting them? Putting their words into context will make you more aware of their needs, and make you feel less upset at them.

5. Remember your calling
Take this time to reflect on your calling as a Christian teacher. Your profession is a noble one – to nurture the minds and morals of the young. This journey contains both joys and struggles, and an educator may become disheartened along the way. Remind yourself how this calling serves a critical role of God’s plan in providing the best for His children.

6. Write down your resolutions for the New Year
Now that you are more aware of your strengths and shortcomings as a teacher, you can incorporate this newfound wisdom into your New Year’s resolutions! What are the practices that make you a good Catholic educator? What are the bad ones that bring you further from the Church, and from God? And lastly, what are some new ideas that you can try out this year? Include these into your planning for the new year.

7. (Bonus) Try this out with your students
If you feel that this exercise has helped you, try it with your students! Give them the opportunity to think back on the positive and negative things that have influenced them in the past year, and put these things into perspective. (You can make it a private exercise, so that they don’t have to share it with others, if they don’t wish to.)

Regardless of the different challenges that all teachers have faced in the past year, the new year brings even greater opportunities and trials for everyone. It is important to both reflect on the past to assess where we are in our relationship with God, and to look ahead to new hopes and dreams.

Got a great tip? Share with us in the comments section below how you made your new year resolutions.

Many students over past decades still remember the impact Sr Agatha Tan IJ made in their lives. From feeding and clothing poor students, to offering a hug to a student in her desparate moments, Sr Agatha has truly been more than a teacher. She shares more about her life and work as an educator.

What are your roles and responsibilities as a religious involved in education?
A teacher, counsellor, adviser, friend, nurse – all in one! My main responsibility is to mould and help pupils to grow in grace and wisdom. To instil in them the important values like integrity, freedom and love. To help them accept themselves and others as they are. To enable them to be people of dignity and love.

What are some of the difficulties in your area of work with schools and education?
More time is allotted to teaching of academic subjects as society nowadays aim for academic excellence rather than values in life and faith formation.

How do you overcome them?
With the constant help of God and faith conviction, together with RE lessons and daily reflection in the morning. Of course, not forgetting prayer and communication with the pupils and staff.

What is the fondest memory of your time working in the education sector?
To meet past pupils who bring back such pleasant memories like, “Sister, what you taught us have a great impact in our lives”. Others remember captions like “self last, others first”, “think before you speak”.

When you are faced with difficult students, what is one thing you tell yourself?
I always treat these students with love and tender care as they are God’s gift to me. As such, I treat each one of these students with patience, showing them great care and concern. The more difficult they are, the more I love them.

What does being a Catholic educator mean to you?
It means a lot to and for me. As far as possible, I have tried my best to create a Christ-like environment, making Jesus known and loved to those I live and work with.

Why is education an important aspect of the IJ Sisters?
It is the charism of our founder, Blessed Nicholas Barre. He started educating the poor girls in his time. He was the one who founded the Infant Jesus congregation. Our order is a teaching order. Blessed Barre’s dedication and commitment inspires me. I feel deep within me that I ought to emulate his example.

Has a student or a teacher ever inspired you or taught you something valuable?
Yes, one student inspired me by the way she accepted suffering cheerfully and yet still studied conscientiously to make the grade. There is also one particular teacher who is really admirable. She is very calm. She is talented and never says “no” to anyone who needs help. She is a true “person for others”.

What is one aspect or character of a Catholic school that you appreciate the most?
That God is our number one. We always begin the day with a prayer and morning reflection. A Catholic treats every student with love. A Catholic school not only sees to the academic studies of students but instills in them moral values that will prepare them for society living.

What is one advice you would give to teachers today?
Teaching is a noble profession. We must embrace it with dedication and love because we are moulding and preparing the young of tomorrow.

Br Nicholas Seet, a Lasallian brother for nearly 30 years, is a Subject Head for Citizenship and Character Education, and also teaches History, Social Studies, and Religious Citizenship and Character Education at St Patrick’s Secondary School. He shares more about his life and calling to be a religious educator.

What are some difficulties in your area of work with schools and education?
The challenge is in guiding our students to develop their character based on values as well as help our Catholic students to centre their lives on the Lord Jesus. Being in their growing years, some students may test the boundaries of behaviour and try or experiment with at-risk activities and easily succumb to negative peer pressure.

How do you overcome them?
Through developing a rapport with the students so that they will trust us as teachers. It is by building a reservoir of goodwill or social capital such that the students will feel comfortable with you, share with you their difficulties and challenges in school, in their family and in their personal lives.

What is the fondest memory of your time working in the education sector?
It is to meet former students who have done well in life, are still single or married and having children. To do well does not mean having a high paying job but that they have grown into responsible men and fathers.

When you are faced with difficult students, what is one thing you tell yourself?
The students are confided to our care by the Lord and being young, they are still learning and growing. I must give them the leeway to make mistakes, and more importantly, to help them to learn from their mistakes. I cannot condemn them just because of the mistakes they make. They are still growing and need to be helped to earn to become more responsible to their families and themselves.

What does being a Catholic educator mean to you?
I am a religious Brother and Catholic education is my calling in life. The Lord has called me to this mission. Being Catholic means that I must help to strengthen and deepen the students’ relationships with the Lord through various means in the school, such as public prayer, Catholic CCAs like the Legion of Mary, our RCCE lessons, and Catholic programmes.

Being Catholic also means that I do not neglect the other non-Catholic students in my school. On the contrary, it means that I must be a brother also to the non-Catholics that the Lord has sent to our schools. I must help them too to become better human beings, respectful of their religious traditions and beliefs. I am reminded that the Church is here to serve everyone, both Catholic and non-Catholic. In this way, the Church can be a service to our society and nation. I think that when we help build a harmonious society of diverse races and religions, then we help to build the Kingdom of God on earth.

Why is education an important aspect of the La Salle Brothers?
Our holy founder, St John Baptist de La Salle, founded the Brothers to look after the education of the poor children in Reims, France more than 350 years ago. We continue our founder’s vision and mission in our schools and educational centres in Singapore. We seek to groom students whose lives are based on values and who can live out those values in society.

What is one thing about St John Baptist de La Salle that inspires you?
For my founder, it is that the Lord led him one step at a time. St La Salle had mentioned that if he had known what the Lord had in mind for him near the end of his life, he would have thought twice about it. Rather, he acknowledged that the Lord led him from one commitment to another, and in spite of the challenges, the result was that the poor children of France had an education—a privilege reserved for the rich and upper class during his time. At the end of his life, my founder said “I adore in all things, the Will of God, in my regard.”

Has a student ever inspired you or taught you something valuable?
I learn from the students much more than I can ever teach them. There are too many stories to share. Perhaps, it is of the students whom we judge that they cannot cope academically. Yet these are the ones who will come back to school, to thank the teachers and to be able to hear their stories of how they have done well.

I am reminded of a student who did not do well academically, had great difficulties in his family but who eventually came back to the practice of the Faith. He is married and has started his own business. I would not have thought then when he was a student that he could be so successful today. Of course, these are the successful stories. There are still former students who have made good after some grave mistakes in their lives. I think it is a matter of time when the Lord will lead them in the right path. After all, they had studied in our Lasallian schools which will remind them of the love and care that the teachers had tried to shower on them, though for some, it will be tough love.

How about your teacher colleagues? Has a teacher ever inspired you or taught you something valuable?
I admire the many past teachers and Brothers who taught me when I was a child. I studied at the then St Michael’s School, St Joseph’s Institution at Bras Basah Road and at Catholic Junior College. Looking back, each teacher is unique and they taught me what it is that makes a person more human. I cannot remember exactly what they taught me academically but I remember their sense of commitment and their dedication to their work. For the Brothers, I saw them as men of prayer and men who gave their lives to the Lord. That is why I became a Brother, because of the good example of these Brothers whom I saw in school.

What is one aspect or character of a Catholic school that you appreciate the most?
It is the many daily reminders of the Lord. Here at St Patrick’s School where I teach, we have Morning Prayers with about 35 boys each morning. Then we have our Morning Assembly Prayers, the praying of the Angelus at noon, the school Prayer services and Masses as well as the Catholic societies like the St Vincent de Paul Society to help the less fortunate children and the Legion of Mary.

What difference would it make if a parent (especially a Catholic parent) enrolled his children in a Catholic school?
In a Catholic school, the child is constantly reminded that there is a spiritual dimension in life and the Catholic environment and ambience will help to strengthen his or her relationship with the Lord.

What is one advice you would give to teachers today?
Our vocation is a God-given one and we are privileged that the Lord has called us to this task or mission. I am sure many teachers feel the same way.