Geraint Wong teaches English Language at CHIJ Secondary.

Why did you want to be a teacher?
I’ve always found joy in nurturing and developing young people. Plus, after giving tuition and doing relief teaching during my university days, I found I had the gift of explaining things clearly, so teaching became a natural path to take. But – and this may surprise some people – I didn’t quite settle on it till my honours year.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a Catholic educator?
I don’t think being a Catholic educator is any different from being an educator in general, because being an educator entails being a role model to students. In the case of a Catholic, this means being a witness to Gospel values, but in a general sense it means espousing good values – in short, being true to yourself and what you believe in, whether you are Catholic or not. But this isn’t the biggest challenge. To me, the biggest challenge in being an educator is having enough time for my students (which includes preparing good lessons and giving them timely and valuable feedback on their work) in the midst of all the other work I have to do.

What were you doing before becoming a teacher?
University – did my bachelor’s, honours and master’s degree consecutively before I started work. Before university I did a short stint at the front office of a hotel – enjoyed that job thoroughly, but I didn’t stay on because the prospects didn’t seem that great.

What is your fondest memory/experience as a teacher?
There have been so many that it’s difficult to single out specific instances. In general, I’ve always enjoyed the times I’ve worked with students outside the classroom setting – such as meetings with student leaders, training of emcees, even informal chats with students filled with banter and laughter.

Has your faith affected you in your role as a teacher in any way?
Definitely. I am acutely aware of how the Holy Spirit is constantly guiding and inspiring me in my teaching vocation – I would never have achieved what I have all these years without him. I also try to approach my students the way Jesus approached his disciples and the crowds that followed him – with compassion and a deep respect for their personhood.

What are some of your key priorities as a teacher?
My students always come first. Sadly, however, administrative work often cries out for attention and competes for my time – but it’s often a necessary evil.

What is one way you try to inspire your students?
By being true to myself and sharing my experiences, or other stories that I’ve heard or encountered, with them.

Do you try to share your faith with students? How so?
In Religious Education classes, yes, explicitly, by sharing my faith journey and experiences. I’m also in charge of Spirituality in my school, and when we have practices for Masses, I take the opportunity to explain some aspects of the faith or the liturgy with the classes involved (which include non-Catholics). In other contexts, I do so more subtly and indirectly, preferring to lead by example. I think the most edifying thing a student (who wasn’t in my RE class) ever told me was, “You make me want to be a better Catholic.” That was enough of an affirmation for me.

What do you like most about being a Catholic?
Hmmm. I’d say the good balance between “structure” (the Church, the sacraments, the liturgy, etc) and the more personal “unstructured” aspects of the faith (personal prayer, relationship with God). I think God in his infinite wisdom knew all along that we need both in our lives to sustain our faith and commitment.

How do you keep close to God?
Daily quiet time, informal conversational prayer throughout the day, attending weekday Masses whenever possible.

What brings you joy in life?
Accomplishing things. This can range from big things like seeing a project through to its completion, to small things like seeing the look of understanding or enlightenment on a student’s face when she gets what I’m trying to say.

What is your favourite scripture passage?
I have a few. I guess my top two are John 10:10 – The thief comes in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life, life in all its fullness. And Jeremiah 29:11 – I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. They are my greatest motivations for hope and optimism in life.

If you weren’t a teacher today, how different would your life have been?
I’d likely have a lot more time on my hands! In fact, I did leave the teaching service for 1.5 years, from Jan 2011 to Jun 2012, to work with The Straits Times Schools team. It was a good experience that taught me many things (chief among which was honing my writing craft), but eventually I found that I was lacking the fulfilment that came with the daily interaction with students, so I returned.

Ng U-Lynn, an Art teacher in St Gabriel’s Secondary School, shares a day with us.

A book with a prayer for every day of the year (“The Power Of A Praying Woman”, by Stormie O’Martian) stands prominently on U-Lynn’s desk, in the staffroom of St Gabriel’s Secondary School.

Prayer, in many forms (this prayer calendar and partaking in the living rosary – a prayer group made up of 15 members- to which she belongs, after suggestion by one of her Catholic colleagues), is a permanent companion for U-Lynn. “What gives me strength is Faith, through constant prayer. When you pray you keep yourself close to God, you will hear his voice and he will give you strength to pull through tough days… what I love about this school is that every morning we have ‘morning sharings’ by staff and students during assembly, which gives me a sense of peace and calm to start the day with. (We take a little verse from the Gospel and we expand on it; different teachers and students are scheduled to talk about it, on a roster, while the principal always shares on Tuesday). It’s just a five minutes’ sharing but I think it’s important because we start the day with the Word of God. I know this calms the students: they understand it is a sacred time and they keep very quiet, even if they are from a different religious background.”

U-Lynn’s faith and prayer life are not the only source of her strength and good cheer: on many occasions during her interview, U-Lynn mentioned the support of her colleagues. As Bro John Kallarackal mentioned in his keynote speech at the recent Montfortian Education Symposium, the quality of the relationships between members of staff is very important in a school. U-Lynn finds that her colleagues, like “human angels” are always there to support her when she needs it. “My family is also my source of comfort and joy and I thank God every day for my family and friends”.

“There are many challenging times in teaching because we are dealing with teenagers. You have 40 students in a class with different characteristics and needs” says U-Lynn. “You need a ‘bag of tricks’ to tackle different situations: when a child is distracted, disrespectful or constantly wanting your attention. You must always show that you are in control, even when you feel that a storm is brewing inside of you. You must rise above your emotions towards the things that happen around you and ride on the Lord’s strength. On rough days, my colleagues and family are always there to support me, to give me a pat on the shoulder and provide words of comfort. Your friends in school are like your family: with them, you can pull through anything.”

“We, teachers, are under a lot of pressure: we teach many classes, each class has forty students, we have to mark, we have meetings, sometimes workshops, extra classes, we have to supervise CCAs… the tasks that go on everyday can overwhelm a person and it’s a struggle that every teacher goes through and so we understand each other. But when you have great colleagues, it is a comforting joy that’s indescribable and reassuring. Most importantly, when you have God in your life: St. Paul says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil 4:13)- I keep this verse very close to my heart. Only God can keep our spirits unwavering and at peace amidst the storm. As human beings, I know my limitations and there are days when I am swamped with work and tempted to skip prayer. But I tell myself, say short prayers like ‘thank you Lord for a beautiful day’ or ‘I love you Jesus’ or ‘Help me Jesus’, even just a short prayer to keep me close to God. I also try to make use of the chapel in the school, a place of peace and solitude where staff and pupils can go to pray, undisturbed”.

U-Lynn has taught Art for almost 15 years and there was a time when she was teaching in a co-ed school: “I remember most vividly this particular student of mine who was in a dire situation: she was the only child and the sole breadwinner of her family. Her dad had left them, while her mum was sick and unable to work. This girl was studying for her GCE O-level Examination and also working in MacDonald’s five afternoons per week to tide her family over. She would study at night, under the light of a candle because they could no longer pay for electricity. She faced many obstacles in life but despite the odds coming at her, she persevered and told me that she would work very hard to get a distinction for Art and she did. She is now an Art teacher and words cannot express the amount of pride I feel towards her and I always tell her story to my students to inspire them. Sometimes students inspire teachers, not just the other way round!”

U-Lynn also teaches catechism to Secondary 1 students and is a member of the school’s Catholic Teachers’ Committee: “Having Catholic colleagues in school is great: there’s an unspoken bond between us.” Asked if there is any resentment among the Catholic Teachers’ Committee about the extra work (catechism, liturgy preparation) that they do in the school, she replies: “Not that I know of” she replies. “We meet in the Catholic Teachers’ Committee to share the jobs and we volunteer for what we like to do. Some people volunteer for more than one job!”

“Overall, there are more good days than bad days:” says U-Lynn with a smile, “the best reward is when your students do their best in your subject. And on Teachers’ Day I love receiving little letters and cards from the students, they are the best gift as cards and letters affirm you and remind you of why you’re in this profession in the first place.”

Read Blessed Pope John Paul II’s “Letter to Artists”, dedicated “To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new ‘epiphanies’ of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world”.

Nick Chui, 35, does not teach in a Catholic school, but that does not change his purpose and calling.

Why did you want to be a teacher? What were you doing before becoming a teacher?
I was involved in delivering presentations on sexuality education and writing articles explaining and if necessary defending Catholic teaching in the area of marriage, family and pro-life issues in my previous job. I was also a catechist at the same time. I felt that I was making some impact on the students but my encounter with students was usually one off or over a limited period of time. As a teacher I felt that I could impact my students to think critically, write well, and plant seeds of the Word in their hearts so that they would be drawn to the possibility of authentic love and purpose.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a Catholic educator?
To be constantly conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit in whatever I do.

If you weren’t a teacher today, how different would your life have been?
I think without the daily encounter with my students, the practice of my faith may lack a concrete pastoral focus. Pope Francis speaks to Christians, challenging them to go “out to the periphery.” He believes that “A church that doesn’t get out, sooner or later, gets sick from being locked up”. From the point of view of faith, teaching in a government school is indeed a periphery. I am one of two Catholics in the school. Can I witness to Christ in such circumstances and be inspired by the Church’s teaching? Previously, I tended to speak at the ‘theoretical level.” With this daily encounter with students, I am able to share and see how what I have written and thought about on a “theoretical” level is translated in concrete life circumstances.

What is your fondest memory/experience as a teacher?
Being voted “most encouraging teacher” by students for the second year running. When students spontaneously share that they miss your lesson or when they recall something you say and apply it as a life lesson, it makes my day. I hope that I am being an encouragement to them in the manner Christ would have wanted.

What do you like most about being a Catholic?
Knowing that I am loved by Jesus Christ and being able to encounter him in the Eucharist. Also, knowing that I am a member of the community he founded, the Catholic Church, built upon the rock of Peter and the apostles.

What do you like most about being a teacher?
The opportunity to imitate and draw inspiration from Christ the teacher.

Has your faith affected you in your role as a teacher in any way?
My faith affects my role as a teacher in every way. Faith offers a vision, a way to approach things, the way Christ would approach it, as he preached and built the Kingdom of God. When I am tired of teaching a class, my conscience prompts me to go the extra mile for a student, even though he or she may not be grateful. It affects me so that I would speak out in situations which I consider unjust. It affects me in my relationships with my colleagues and parents.

What are some of your key priorities as a teacher?
A key priority for me is to find meaning in all I do and help my students to find meaning too. Meaning and purpose are the keys which drives human action. It is the foundation without which life would be existentially boring. Existential boredom usually lead to poor academic grades and disciplinary issues.

What is one way you try to inspire your students?
I share with them my life experiences, I am not a perfect person, but I have found Christ and meaning. I would like my life to be a dialogue with theirs, to aspire together to higher standards as these standards are not mine per se, but what fulfils a human person. I avoid hypocrisy and am not afraid to apologise when I have done something wrong.

Do you try to share your faith with students? How so?
Yes I do. My students will quickly discover that I am Catholic as I would share this as I introduce myself to them. Some will approach me and chat about life and its purpose. This inevitably leads to questions about religion. Nevertheless, I will however always put on record that I will never force my students to accept my opinions about life. While I may be the “expert” in a particular subject, I am a “co-pilgrim” when it comes to life and its meaning.

While teaching history and English literature is not explicitly about Jesus Christ, I am nevertheless very conscious that in Christ, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (1 Col 1:17). The truths in history or English literature are never unrelated to Christ. When I teach my students how to think critically, how to empathize, how to write a good paragraph, I am doing the work of building the kingdom, of doing my part in forming human beings into intelligent and good people.

I am also one of the teachers involved in Boys Brigade, a Christian organization. In the Boys Brigade, we can talk about Christ and the message of his kingdom in an explicit manner.

How do you keep close to God?
By praying the liturgy of the hours, Lauds and Vespers, meditating on the scriptures, praying the rosary, and attending weekday Masses if possible.

What brings you joy in life?
Knowing that I am loved, that the world is loved, and that all will be well in the end.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I play chess. I am also involved in the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Theology Network, a gathering of Catholics interested in theology.

What is your favourite scripture passage?
“Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” (Phi 2:6-9)