By Jian Naputo
In 2010, I arrived in Singapore with a heart ready to learn and a suitcase full of uncertainty. Fresh out of university, I didn’t have a five-year plan — just a desire to grow and do my best in the role I had taken on. I thought I would stay two years, learn what I could, then move on.
But life often unfolds in unexpected ways. Fifteen years later, I’m still here. And as I reflect on this journey, I see a thread that’s been quietly running through it all: God’s faithfulness.
The beauty in small beginnings
My first few months in the classroom were filled with learning. I quickly realised that teaching wasn’t about delivering lessons; it was about building relationships.
I found joy in the small, ordinary moments — seeing a child zip their bag on their own for the first time, hearing a first word, or watching their eyes light up as they discovered something new.
These small beginnings became sacred spaces for me. Over time, teaching stopped being just a role — it became a calling.
If I were to describe my journey in one phrase, it would be this: sowing and tending. Over the years, I’ve come to see that every interaction — every word of encouragement, every moment of patience, every second spent listening — was a seed. Some sprouted quickly, others lay dormant for a while. Many I may never see bloom. But the work has always been about showing up, sowing faithfully, and tending the soil with care.
I’ve seen those seeds bear fruit: in children who once struggled to speak but now share their thoughts freely; in families who return years later with gratitude; and now, in teachers—who grow in confidence, take brave steps, and pour into others, just as someone once poured into them.
Growing with APS
I joined Anglican Preschool Services (APS) in 2015, and this year marks ten years with the organisation. It has been a place where I’ve been given space to grow — professionally, personally, and spiritually. I never imagined I would become a principal, but through seasons of stretching and growth, I found myself stepping into leadership — not out of a desire for promotion, but simply a willingness to be of service in any way I could.
Singapore has become more than the place I came to work, it has become a place I now call home. Over the years, I’ve been shaped by the children, families, colleagues, and mentors I’ve encountered. Each one has played a part in this story of growth.
Here, I’ve learned that every child matters. Each one is a gift. I’ve come to understand that education is more than just school readiness — it’s about nurturing hearts, minds, and character. Leading a centre is a big responsibility, but I carry it with a deep sense of purpose and a desire to honour the God who brought me here and continues to walk with me.
A faith that anchors
My faith is the foundation of everything I do. It reminds me to press on during the tough days, to lead not for applause but out of a heart to serve. To love—even when it’s not easy. To trust that even small acts of faithfulness can become offerings.
I’ve learned to keep showing up, even without all the answers. To keep sowing, even when the soil feels dry. Because I’ve seen firsthand what God can do with seeds planted in faith.
If I could speak to the 2010 version of myself, I would simply say:
“He who calls you is faithful…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NKJV)
And to my fellow educators—especially those who feel unseen or unsure—I want to say this:
Your work matters. You matter. Keep going.
The seeds you plant today may grow into something far greater than you can imagine.
To find out more about our career opportunities, visit https://www.anglicanps.edu.sg/careers-main
Jian Naputo is the Principal of Little Seeds Preschool (TSA-Ang Mo Kio).
