The Teacher’s Moment, held to coincide with this year’s Teacher’s Day, was a time of celebration and encouragement for educators.
Contributed By Lim Bijia
“Several future presidents are learning from me today; so are the great writers of the next decades and all the so-called ordinary people who will make the decisions in a democracy. I must never forget that these same young people could be the thieves and murderers of the future. Just a teacher? Thank God I have a calling to take on the greatest profession of all! I must be vigilant every day lest I lose one fragile opportunity to improve tomorrow.”
These verses, quoted from a poem entitled “Only A Teacher” by Ivan Welton Fitzwater, was recited by a teacher during the Teacher Moment event on Aug. 28 at the Anglo-Chinese School Drama Centre at Barker Road. Organized by Edunet, it saw a turnout of Christian educators comprising teachers, principals, school administrators and education officers coming together for an informal yet purposeful time of networking and prayer.
After a networking breakfast, a band of educators-cum-musicians led the crowd in a time of worship, setting the stage for the sharing of testimonies and personal sharing.
MOE staff member Carol Loi shared how she not only maintained a close collaborative relationship with her children’s teachers but also of how God had used her to positively influence other parents and even decision-makers around her. As He placed a burden in her heart for parents, Loi started an informal parenting group in the MOE headquarters, and on a voluntary basis, organized learning sessions for parents centered on topics such as cultivating creativity and thinking skills for children. Today, she sits on the same team as principals and executive directors in MOE, where she shares her thoughts and ideas on how to better engage parents of school-going children. Her passion and enthusiasm was infectious and her testimony left an indelible mark on the audience.
The morning was an emotional one for many as those who came weary were refreshed; those who might have been burdened found extra strength; and those who had forgotten why they were doing what they were doing, were once more reminded of why they were called to be teachers.
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| CN PHOTOS: Michael Chan |
After that inspiring account, several more people involved in the education field came forward to pray and encourage those present with more testimonies and inspiring quotes, and to remind each other of the higher calling of educators. A rousing finish to the day’s event came in the form of a special performance by vocalist Annabel Soh, who sang a song written by local composer and songwriter Gan KC in dedication to teachers. Entitled “In This Moment,” the song paid rightful tribute to the teachers with its heartfelt lyrics.
The same performance was delivered in a separate event the following Tuesday on Aug. 31 at the MOE Teachers’ Day celebration, which was graced by Guest-of-Honor, Ms. Ho Peng, Director-General of Education as well as other MOE directors. Conceptualized in collaboration with Edunet Chairman and Principal of North View Primary School, Ng Yeow Ling, the song deftly summed up the importance of a teacher’s role in a child.
In a radio interview a day later on 938LIVE, Ng shared, “The song reminds us to look at how the ordinary things we [teachers] do can have an extraordinary impact on the life of a student. It takes a mentor to see the potential in the little things, as a line in the song goes—‘You turn my little into great.’”
Adds Gan, “When I look back on the journey I’ve been through and the education I’ve received, I can’t really remember the algebra and chemistry but the kind words my teacher spoke to me about the talent she saw in me for music; it’s because of her words that I’m doing what I’m doing today.”
