When Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu first left Albania for India in 1929 at the age of 19, it was to be a teacher at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta. In the classroom, she was more than just a presence. Her charity, generosity, and courage; her capacity for hard work; a natural talent for organization; and a joyous spirit left an indelible mark on the pupils and the boarders of St. Mary's who loved and admired her. She was certainly more than just a teacher.

"More than just a teacher' was surely a theme aptly chosen for this year's Christian Teacher's Day Celebration" organized by the Malayan Christian Schools' Council in collaboration with the Catholic Teachers' Association, Scripture Union and the Teachers' Christian Fellowship. Held on 17 June 2006 at Wesley Methodist Church, it was warmly received by 315 participants from schools in Selangor and the Federal Territory.

Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung was the theme speaker. Referring to Galatians 6:9-10,

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith"

He stressed on the importance for teachers to break through mediocrity, jealousy and betrayal in order to spread the fragrance of our Lord in our profession.

According to Rev Dr Hwa Yung, three principles form the backbone of an excellent teacher set apart for God:
• a clear sense of calling
• a clear grasp of our goal as a teacher and
• a firm desire to go beyond routine

Present day education is often seen as a tool for social engineering and promoting economic growth but no where in the ancient world or in the Bible is education documented as such. Con-fucius, for example, based world peace and the exemplary governing of the State on the cultivating of a person.

Therefore the focus of knowledge should be in the transformation of a person and Prov 1:7 says, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

So what then is a clear sense of calling?

A cursory glance at present day teachers often leaves us with the impression that women choose teaching because of the prospect of stability teaching offers. Men, more often than not become teachers because of a lack of a better option. The question remains whether we are just wandering through the teaching years or we are impacting the lives of our charges.

Having a clear grasp of our goal as a teacher will certainly help us impart Godly wisdom to others so that their hearts will be inclined to hear God's words. (Deut 5:29) Unless Christian teachers have a clear philosophy of education based on what they believe, the road to be more than a teacher will be elusive.

Finally, a firm desire to go beyond the routine is the hallmark of the teacher set apart for God. The nation faces colossal problems in the education arena and we need men and women who have been transformed by God to dig out the stones and set straight the path.

The clarion call for us who teach to be more than just a teacher is now. As in the words of Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, whom we all know as Mother Theresa, "I want to be only all for Jesus ... I would give everything for Him even life itself"

Koh Soo Ling
Assoc Prof Koh lectures at UiTM and writes for Learning Curve, New Straits Times.