By Josephine Denise Dumont, Good Shepherd Student Care Teacher, Marymount Convent School, Singapore (Province of Singapore / Malaysia)

It was through attending a vocation retreat, listening to powerful vocation testimonies, and my ongoing journeying with Sr. Fiona Yeo that I first learned about Good Shepherd Student Care (GSSC), the after-school care for Marymount Convent School students. I had been searching for more meaningful employment that would make a difference to others and had long been touched by the Good Shepherd mission and motto that “one person is of more value than the whole world.”

After discernment, I decided to apply for the role of a student care teacher. I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a burning desire to care for and offer guidance to children. As I visited the center and had some time to meet the students, I was touched by how generous the teachers were with the attention and care they gave to the students. They went above and beyond to ensure that the student’s need for love and care was met while still maintaining the necessary levels of discipline. The teachers excel in communicating with the students and listening to their sharing. This positive experience helped me to decide that I wanted to be part of this team.

After I started working at GSSC, some of the teachers would go daily to the school foyer to collect the students. On the top floor of the school, the Good Shepherd motto takes pride of place. Every day, as we waited for the students to be dismissed from school, I would ponder on that motto and the story of how Jesus the Good Shepherd would leave the ninety-nine sheep to go after the lost one. I thought about how I could live out that motto as a teacher in how I care for the children. Then, recently, I was challenged to live out the motto when one of the students in my class was experiencing an emotional breakdown.

I was worried that taking time to sit with her would take away from serving the rest of the class. However, I reflected on the Good Shepherd motto and felt compelled to express its message. I asked the student to sit with me outside the classroom and to let her emotions out in that safe space. I had the opportunity to listen to her story and empathize with the sadness and confusion she had within her. I was thankful that she trusted me with her story, and I realized that it would take dedicated work with her to help her grow in self-confidence and love. It is not just education but all aspects of the growth of the child that we need to care for as student care teachers.

In 2023, I had the chance to emcee at Marymount Centre’s “Celebrating Our Partnership” event. During the rehearsals, I had the opportunity to meet the women and girls from Marymount Centre’s other services. Witnessing the close relationship that sisters, staff, and social workers had with the girls and how well they knew each person and their needs inspired me to continue working to put the same love and heart into role as a teacher.

It helps keep the flame burning of that desire to serve the children with my entire self. Though it may be challenging at times, I feel blessed that I am able to put my entire being into caring for the students and that I can learn and grow professionally and personally through how I listen to and show love to the students. I have learned so much from my colleagues and the students themselves. It heartens me to see how dedicated the center is to not just educating the students but for the holistic growth and care that every child requires. I am continually inspired to live out the Good Shepherd mission and motto by putting my whole self into caring for the children, just as my colleagues do.

If you feel called to be a sister of the Good Shepherd, please contact us at vocations@gssweb.org.

If you feel called to volunteer or become involved in the Good Shepherd mission, please contact us at partners@gssweb.org.