“May every child see Christ in me”: Christian educators share prayers and practical tips at NCEC 2025

How can I help students who are struggling? How can I be a witness for Christ at the workplace?

At the National Christian Educators Conference (NCEC) on December 22, 2025, three panellists shared from their journey in various institutions.

The annual NCEC – 2025 being its third year – is an event that gathers educators from all walks of life together to be encouraged and equipped before school reopens.

In this first article on NCEC, Salt&Light shares highlights from the panel discussion, which focused not only on how to help students navigate transitions, but also on how each educator can make a difference wherever God has placed him or her.

Moderated by undergraduate Nicole Soh, the panel consisted of:

• Michele Koh, Cluster Principal, Little Olive Tree
• Esther Foong-Tan, former Primary School Head of Department and Co-Founder of Kidmin Singapore and The Treasure Box Singapore
• Shaun Goh, former Polytechnic Lecturer, now University Career Advisor

Supporting students through transitions

Zooming in on what students at different ages – from early childhood to tertiary level – struggle with during transitions, each educator shared their observations.

Having journeyed with undergraduates, Shaun said that one of the things he has noticed is the “spirit of fear” that grips many of them.

He meets with some of the youngest, brightest minds, but finds that many of them feel they are not good enough when they compare themselves against their peers.

“That fear enters into their being, their psyche … and it really messes with them,” he noted.

“That prevents them from confidently pursuing their dreams or the callings that God has given to them.”

Creating that safe space for students to come to you when they are trying to figure things out is so important, Esther said.

As Christian educators, “sometimes all we have do for children who are going through transition is to let them know that you have a space that is safe, that allows them to fail,” she said. 

As a former Head of Department for Character and Citizenship Education, Esther once had to deal with the case of a Primary 6 “couple” who were “caught” for their public displays of affection.

When children are going through puberty (from primary to secondary school), they are exploring, searching for belonging and looking for people whom they can seek solace in, she explained.

“Handling transition is more than just calling parents, right? Before you can correct, you need to connect.”

Recalling her conversation with the boy, Esther said that while he was made aware of what was inappropriate and what would happen if things get out of hand, she also reassured him that she was a safe space for him.

“At any point of time, if you have done something that you know you shouldn’t have and you’re freaking out and you’re so scared, I want to let you know that you can come to me,” she had told the student.

When we start cultivating safe spaces from young, perhaps our children will not be so fearful of failures by the time they reach the tertiary level, said Esther.

For Michele, helping a preschooler transition well into primary school goes beyond making sure they are academically ready.

In those early years, what is important is building social-emotional skills.

Whether they are fearful or angry, it is necessary to acknowledge how they feel. But after doing that, the child has to be taught what to do.

“How is the child going to connect with their peers? How are they going to connect with their teachers? It’s all about building relationships,” said Michele.

At that preschool phase, the role of the parent is also extremely crucial, as they are the child’s first teacher and spiritual leader, she pointed out.

As such, partnering with parents is key.

Being a faithful witness at work

Turning the attention back to educators, the panellists then addressed the question of how one can be a good witness in the workplace, even if other Christians around them are not.

Inspired by Joseph Schooling, who once reflected on the challenges of being a pioneer, Shaun said that the “first person through the wall is always the bloodiest”.

To win Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal, the former national swimmer had to put in an inordinate amount of effort. But this paid off, as his achievement set a precedent for every other Singaporean swimmer with similar aspirations.

“Sometimes I feel that we are called to be the first one to make that hole through the wall; we are called to role model,” Shaun remarked.

“You’re not there just to follow or to find a Christian leader in the institution, but to be the Christian leader.”

To be a leader, it does not mean you need an official title, he elaborated.

“It just means setting the standard for others to follow, as God tells you to set the standard.”

Encouraging fellow educators to see themselves as an influencer instead of a follower, Shaun said: “I know it’s tough, but I also feel that sometimes you are called there to be the tea bag, to be the thermostat and not the thermometer.

“You’re there to change the culture, and culture changers are the ones that will usually face the most opposition.”

Even the smallest things such as your email signature can make a difference. Shaun told the room that signing off all his work emails with “Blessings” led to a conversation in which someone asked if he was Christian.

When sharing about his holidays, Shaun also often talks about how God has blessed him on that trip, a habit that has not gone unnoticed by his co-workers. His subtle influence has inspired one colleague – not a believer – to say to Shaun when talking about his own trip overseas: “I was so lucky… no, I was blessed.”

Always remember your identity, said Shaun. “You just need to know who you are and whose you are. From that identity of knowing that you are God’s child, He can use you.”

Offering practical tips, Esther shared how she suggests to new teachers to define their core values from the beginning, so that they can stand by them.

This is also a great exercise for all teachers as the school year kicks off.

“If there are three things that are non-negotiable for you at your workplace, what would they be?” she asked.

“If you set those as the ground rules for yourself, then I think you’ll be able to navigate more confidently.”

Emphasising how convictions always need to be established before a decision point, she added: “Prepare yourself before making a decision … because at that point, there are too many emotions for you to make a wise and sane decision.

“I strongly encourage all of us to define your boundaries, your space, your non-negotiables.”

Persevering even when it’s difficult

Acknowledging that it is tough to work in schools, Shaun said: “You have multiple stakeholders to please. But above all else, choose to please God. Choose to please Him first.”

Revealing that God has been teaching him about discernment over the past year, he has been learning “when to be the lion and when to be the lamb”.

When problems come up at work, one may instinctively enter into flight or fight mode, but those may also be the times when God tells you to surrender and lay all your grievances at the altar, Shaun pointed out.

“Discernment is regardless of whether it makes sense to you, whether it’s fair, whether it’s logical, whether you understand it.

“Can you discern when He’s telling you to do certain things and not do certain things, and then can you take the step to obey?”

When you are able to discern and obey, an exchange happens in the form of redemption, effectiveness or influence, he observed.

“If you are stuck … you can tell God, ‘God, I don’t know how to handle this, I don’t know how to love this child. Show me how.’ God will definitely be able to show you that,” said Michele, who found this to be true in her own life.

Responding to another question on how to love a student who goes around hurting others, Michele recounted how even a Christian teacher at a centre she once worked at had written off a child with anger management issues.

Before the boy was due to join her class, Michele decided to channel all her worries into prayer instead.

“I prayed, ‘God, You created him, right? You made him, so You know the method, the strategy. Teach me how to manage him.’”

Opening up that God had to first change her heart, Michele said she learnt to put aside any prejudice, and to look at the boy through God’s eyes and love him.

Soon, God began to show Michele the child’s strengths.

Realising that he loved to read, she would go to the library every week to stock up on new books, which helped to engage him. Over time, the child also learnt how to control his anger.

Reminding Christian educators that they have been called for a purpose, she urged them to “never give up”.

“Teachers, you need to set an example in reflecting God’s love and who He is.

“We ourselves are a living testimony of God’s goodness in our lives …. we are here to speak life into the children.”

Admitting that the role of an educator is not easy, Michele said: “Every day, without fail, pray. Look up to God.”

Now that she is a Cluster Principal, she does prayer walks on the grounds of her faith-based preschool, inviting the presence of God in.

“Everywhere I go, I will go and pray.”

Esther is also an advocate for prayer. Throughout the 14 years she taught in school, she would ask God for favour – even if it was just uttering a quick prayer.

“Because with favour, we can influence and impact, right?”

Giving a final word of advice, Esther shared what she has been meditating on in her ministry with children.

“May I see Christ in every child, and may every child see Christ in me,” she said, adding that this also applies to colleagues and anyone you work with.

“I think that will change how you’re going to enjoy your workplaces.”

Missed the National Christian Educators Conference? Look out for more stories from NCEC in the coming days.

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