A school teacher brought his class for an outing.

As soon as the class reached the destination, a student shouted, “I don’t like this place. I want to go home now!”

“Patience, Johnny, patience” the teacher said.

As they passed by a bakery, the same student shouted again, “I want a chocolate cream bun! It’s my favourite and I am hungry!”

“Patience, Johnny, patience” the teacher said.

As they passed by Mcdonald’s, the student shouted again. “I want my Happy Meal!!

“Patience, Johnny, patience” the teacher said.

Another teacher, from a different school, happened to be walking just behind this teacher and his noisy class. She saw and heard the whole drama unfold.

As the group finally made their way out of the crowded area toward their destination, the other teacher slipped alongside and said warmly,

“Hi there, fellow teacher. I just want to thank you for the example you gave back there. The way you stayed calm with that little boy … Johnny, was it? … was inspiring. I know how hard it is to deal with students who shout, push, and insist on their way. Honestly, I admire your patience. I need to learn from you.”

The teacher of the noisy class smiled politely and replied, “Oh, I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong. The boy’s name is Marcus.”

There was a pause. Then, with a sheepish grin, he added:

“I’m Johnny… and I was just telling myself to be patient!”

Patience is not easy and of course our teachers struggle with this very often. They often get headaches because students are not listening to them, and whatever they say seems to fall on deaf ears.

Recently, a few of my classmates from primary school invited our Chinese Language teacher out for lunch. Our teacher was so happy to see us and could still remember our names. We talked about the things we did in class and the memories of our time then. It was good to see her and we all thanked her for being ever so patient with us during our time in primary school.

I never did like my teachers in school. I would often get into fights and I would talk back at all of them. Most of my teachers had already given up hope on me.

However, I am forever grateful to my secondary school Math teacher, Mdm M. She was one who didn’t give up on me. The turning point came when she sat me down one day and spoke to me about my studies and my constant disciplinary problems in school. She encouraged me to put my family problems aside and not to give up. And because she knew I was a Christian, she encouraged me to live out my Christian life so as to point others to Christ.

Her talk with me that day made me think hard about the life I had. I always remembered what she said even after finishing my studies in secondary school.

About 16 years ago, while preparing a morning devotion for the school in my role as chaplain, I was thinking about what to share with the students as Teachers’ Day was approaching. I wanted to share with them something that could help them truly appreciate their teachers.

That’s when my secondary school Math teacher came to mind. I went to my old school’s website, found her email address, and decided to write to her—to thank her for her patience and for the encouragement she had given me when I was her student.

This is what I wrote to her:

“Dear Mdm M,

Stanley here saying hello. Stanley, one of your ex-students who used to give you a lot of headaches and pain? I am sure you will remember me! Haha! How are you? Hope you are doing fine? I recalled the last time we met was when you were with your family in the church along Yio Chu Kang Road when I visited it. How time flies!

I thought I write to let you know that I have graduated from my theological studies since May last year and am now serving in my home church, Living Praise Presbyterian Church, in Bishan. It’s in the premise of both Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary Schools, and I am involved in the chaplaincy and student work in both schools. In addition, I serve in both the worship ministry and young adults ministry in my church.

As I was preparing my weekly devotion to share with the secondary school students, I realised that Teachers’ Day was round the corner. I decided to share how they could show their appreciation to their teachers and your name came up and memories of my time in YCKSS came flooding back.

I recall you bringing me to one corner and speaking to me personally about my behaviour after I said something rude to the English teacher. You reminded me that I should set a good example for others because I was a Christian. Probably, what you said to me then fell on deaf ears.

But, God has been merciful to me and I am thankful that I am able to be where I am today only by His grace, mercy and love.

Now that I am a school chaplain relating a lot with secondary school students, it makes me think about those times when I was like them. I shared with them how I failed my sec 3 exams because of soccer and because I was playful and how that was a huge humbling experience for me. I can see ‘myself’ in some of their lives now too and I hope that I can find ways to encourage them to have a purpose in their life and not to waste it away!

I thought I send you an email to update you on how I am doing but more importantly to THANK YOU for your wise words and your constant patience in bearing with me and my nonsense.

Oh! I’m happily married now—ironically, to a teacher! And through her, I’ve come to understand all the frustrations and heartaches of teaching. Now I finally know how you felt back then.”

I came across this quote from the internet and I thought it makes a lot of sense for teachers who give their hearts and lives to their students.

It says:

“In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work.  It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.”  ~Jacques Barzun

It’s been many years since I left YCKSS! I guess there is some truth in the statement.

Mdm M, I thank the Lord for putting you in my path and as an anonymous author once quoted:

“I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you, my heart has no bottom.” 

Thank you Mdm M.”

And I was wonderfully surprised when she replied me a day later.

Here’s her reply:

“Dear Stanley,
Very nice to hear from you. It is wonderful to know that you are working in your Church with young adults and students. It is wonderful to know that you are happily married. Do you have any children?

Thank you for sharing about your work. I thank the Lord that I was able to help you during your school days.

I have been in YCKSS since 1984. It was wonderful teaching you all. You all were my first batch of ‘O’ level students. I am proud of you all. 

It is more difficult teaching these students now than when you were in school. Many of your teachers are no longer here. They have retired or left the school.

Thank you for writing to me. This has made me feel appreciated.

Mdm M.”

I shared my teacher’s reply during my time of devotion with the students. Many students as well as teachers came to thank me for my sharing. Students shared that it made them think about their teachers and made them appreciate them more.

Many teachers came and thanked me for the reminder that they might not see the fruit of their labour till many years later.

As we celebrate Teachers’ Day, let us pause to honour and encourage everyone who teaches – whether in our schools, in Sunday School, in Bible study groups, or even in the everyday life situations of our homes and communities.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:16 –
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Teaching is not only about passing on information. It’s about letting the message of Christ dwell richly within us so that what we share is more than just knowledge; it is wisdom shaped by the Spirit. When we teach with gratitude and joy, we help others see Christ more clearly.

Paul also describes the heart of teaching in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,
“Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

True teaching is love in action. It is not only sharing God’s Word but also sharing our lives!

Every act of kindness, every patient explanation, every prayer, every encouraging word is a reflection of Christ’s love.

So to all who teach—whether in classrooms, pulpits, or living rooms—know this: your labour is not in vain. Each lesson, each prayer, each word of wisdom, each sacrifice is shaping lives.

Recently, our U12 teachers gathered to spend time with God and to fellowship with one another. And in the conversations around the table, we shared about the difficulty we all face teaching kids. But we also heard each other’s hearts, compassion, love and the patience we have for the kids in our care.

We may not see the fruit of our labours now, but in due time, we will see God’s good work in their lives just as He has done in ours.

And as we continue to teach with much love and faithfulness, we are reflecting Christ Himself!

To all teachers, have a blessed Teachers’ Day!