Maria Iskander's Blog

Since ancient times, teachers have imparted wisdom and knowledge. With imparted wisdom and knowledge, teachers were also involved in creating and preserving literature, art, science, and religion. In this modern age, teaching is still considered a noble profession that shapes future generations. It continues to encompass a department of spectacular human beings, all inspiring children to grow into adults, well-appointed with self-efficacy, self-awareness, and self-empowerment. Being an English teacher, I love language features and apply them in many instances. One of my favourite invented personifications and allegories is teachers as bees. As bees are VITAL for the survival of our ecosystems on Earth, I perceive teachers as VITAL for the optimized existence of humanity. Teaching English, in particular, continues to create a universe of opportunities for students- in and outside of the standard classroom. From classical and modern literature that shifts our students' perspectives to experiencing consequences of choices without having to live them ourselves, the English subject serves as a gateway to understanding and applying ideas in everyday life.
Back to the bee message, I love bees. And I am not the only one. Bees, in diverse cultures, are perceived as individual messengers of blessing, positive energy, and empathetic guidance. Likewise, a teacher's role is perceived the same in many cultures worldwide. Despite being in a digital age, teachers have innate value in society. Teachers are far more than a curriculum orator and content creators. Most, if not all, teachers are remarkable. You and I can agree that we remember the teachers who negatively or positively impacted our development.
Regarding the latter, the teachers allow students to expand their capabilities. What makes a teacher memorable for all the right reasons is their demonstration of one or more of the following bee-like traits: individual messages of blessing, positive energy, and empathetic guidance. Hence, students' sense of self in a chaotic world can be accommodated when a teacher exhibits these bee-like traits.
Another teacher correlation with bees stems from the process of pollination. Bees pollinate over ninety per cent of flowering plants worldwide! Pollination enables plants to grow and flourish. Without pollination, the plant species would die out. Indefinitely. Similarly, without teachers, the lights of civilization would dim, and the bridges to progress would crumble, leaving the future in vain. Simply put, we would not want to live in that world.
According to recent statistics, there are approximately one hundred and ten million teachers worldwide. I don't have to be a mathematician by trade to know this is a trivial number. After all, with nearly eight billion people worldwide, one hundred and ten million teachers make up only 1.38347378 per cent. Hence, recent projections call for an additional thirty-one million secondary school teachers and thirteen million primary school teachers to be required. In contrast, the bee population has increased from ninety-nine million to one hundred and one million worldwide.
Furthermore, to maintain this feat, an annual Bee Week initiative aims to celebrate bees and recognize their vital role in global food production systems. Therefore, teachers need to be celebrated and recognized on various occasions. From World Teacher's Day to prestigious education awards, teachers' abundant help in maintaining and surpassing the global economy and society is acknowledged and appreciated. A sublime outcome for the teaching profession, indeed.
In a 2023 study, researchers found that students with a higher reading ability level had better social-emotional skills than those with a lower reading level. As English teachers, it is about time we ask for specific, actionable feedback and calibration. As bees do not see flower colours but patterns that guide them to a nectar source, we must also focus on the source of student engagement. Now more than ever, students passively sit in a stream of information, usually absorbing none. With passive consumption, your students will not authentically or deeply achieve the learning intentions you prudently prepare. None of that will matter if you don't form connections, compress information and connect it to your student's knowledge graphs. That can only be attainable if students engage in cognitive labour. Teaching is a synergy. Still, effective ways to encourage student engagement are through the following pattern:
• Explicitly explaining content's importance.
• Providing cognitive exercises and processing time to think.
• Asking clarifying questions and giving relatable examples that embody a complex idea.
Moreover, by implementing this pattern, your students will develop practical skills applicable to various careers. Writing, research, and class discussions develop students' skills such as developing persuasive arguments, carrying out analysis, and communicating in an articulate manner. Skills foundational for professional success.
Should we 'bee' or not 'bee' an English teacher? Well, that is a tremendous Shakespearean question! Yes, teaching English can be challenging. Sometimes, the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax rules can appear tedious, repetitive, and laborious. But that should not omit the beauty of teaching the English language. Teaching the English language tests your creative mind, inspires innovation, and provides a practical, everyday tool that enlightens, educates, and inspires all those interacting with it. So, what are you waiting for? Teach like a bee today? Search for the plants and flowers around you- not rubbish bins. Seek earnestly for the good in your teaching practice and students every day.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew 13:31-32 highlights the idea that even a little faith, can lead to extraordinary outcomes. While this is the case, the mustard seed, to the people in our Lord Jesus Christ’s day, could have been a controversial choice. Particularly for a parable teaching about the kingdom of Heaven. Furthermore, as the mustard seed grows into invasive bushes, the Messianic law required people to solely plant it outside the boundaries of the city. Far away from other crops. Hence, was our Lord Jesus Christ foreshadowing the Gentiles? Just a thought. Overall, this is one way this parable challenged me to ponder, more deeply, about the way God operates.

So, we’ve established that mustard seeds don’t grow into trees, and that this parable foreshadows Gentiles, what now? Well, I’d say the notion of transformation is a second prevalent point to consider.
For as mustard seeds grow into bushes, not trees. We too, have been transformed by embracing the Church Sacraments. For instance, Holy Communion provides us an intimate experience with God. So much so, that our soul is nourished to live out God’s Kingdom in our own lives. Indeed, like a mustard seed – however inadequate it may seem– we are planted in darkness to grow. Moreover, cueing in Biology class, the process of photosynthesis comes to mind. Allegorically speaking, we - humans- are the mustard seed. The soil and darkness are the world’s trials and tribulations. Making the sun - our Lord Jesus Christ- Whose presence changes our mundane life comprised of water and carbon dioxide, into sugar. The sugar in this case is our journey in the narrow path. Difficult, different and complex, terms and conditions that shape us for eternity, with Him.

Finally, the third point you can take from this parable is how our Lord Jesus Christ esteems us. He sees our potential. After all, if 12 disciples and then 72 apostles could expand Christianity across the globe, how much more can we do to help? I mean, we have technology and transportation that the disciples and apostles could have never imagined. But why are we shy about sharing our lives with others?

So, as you finish reading this contemplation, I invite you to join me in reflection. After reflection , we - a mustard seed personified- can surrender to Our Lord Jesus Christ. We can plea to Him to guide us to make a real impact in this hurting world. It doesn’t have to be a grandiose gesture. Let’s just start with
those around us. Whether that be at school, work, church, or our mundane activities. For like a plant, we will grow over time. We just have to be patient. But don’t you worry about how you’ll get there. Just trust in Him - who is always rooting for us. You are going to make it through. Beleaf in Him. Case in point.

Look up, into my eyes.

Can you tell, I haven’t seen the sunrise?

It’s been long. Too long.

Is anybody else out there?

Does anybody in this big world, even care?



Days and days keep going by.

Can’t sleep so I’ll just cry.

Wish I could somehow be rescued.

To somewhere safe and secure.



You hate school or work,

I’ll tell you I hate this curse.

A curse on my family and friends.

A curse of fighting with no end.



How many more people have to die?

For these two worlds to collide?

You live on and on, chasing your dreams.

While all I hear is blasting bombs and screams.



You can’t sleep from your screen time excess.

I can’t sleep without feeling trapped- distress.

Planning travel itineraries , and holidays, stress you.

But I’m stuck here in this war zone- so tell me , what would you do?



Two worlds, one family.

It’s a common term.

But if it was a reality,

We’d never have wars going for so long.



Two worlds, one family.

Sounds like a cause.

Where people are treated with humanity,

Everyone lives peacefully, with no wars.



Two worlds, one family.

But I think it’s time for families to expand.

Watch me make another family,

Where incessant war and violence, is banned.

Would you like a drink of water? My former name is the Samaritan Woman, Afterwards, I changed my life, So, St Photini, became my new name outside.


Starting when I went by the “Samaritan woman”, I remember going to the well everyday. I would go during the middle of the day. Yet despite my efforts to see no one, I met Jesus Christ one day.


Initially, I was thankful He wasn’t a man from my past. However, He was a Jewish man, asking for water from my flask. Being already vulnerable because of my wrongdoings, I thought it was some kind of warning.
Yet, when Jesus talked with wisdom and love, I immediately recognized He was from God, above.


With His acceptance, I was comfortable enough to hear Him out.
In turn, sharing my own self-doubt. Then He invited me to get in touch; Particularly, with the thirst in my soul, at once.

I then, finally, realized I had found someone, Who could fulfill my deepest longings, unlike anyone.

So, from that moment forward, I ran to Samaria. Spreading the Good news. The people were enlightened but also confused.

No matter the chatter, I chose to leave behind; All the hurt and past shortcomings, To become Saint Photini. A manifestation of my new life.

As I woke up to another sticky, humid day- Summer, I silently thought to myself that I should go far away. I wanted something more than my family.
Basically, my father was ‘good as dead’ to me. So, I requested to have my inheritance from him. Immediately.


Freedom at last! No more work and expectations to bore my head. Uno return card: For a life of sheer comfort and excess. What more could you want or expect?

With my fake friends around me, who loved me for my money, Oh how I hoped they would turn out to be true. For when my dough was gone, they too were gone. Disappearing like a magic act gone wrong. I was no longer a poor soul, to use.


Bankrupt, alone and hungry, That was my freedom gain. Does it make you jealous? Clearly, I’m being vain.
Not long after, I became bitter and angry, My familiar discontentment came.


As months had gone by, not one soul showed me mercy, compassion, or care.
The only attention I received from this foreign town, was empty. A bunch of empty stares.


I tried to adapt my mind and body. Insisting that my life wasn’t so bad. Lie, after lie, delusion after delusion, I was too stubborn to admit, I was terribly sad.


My body kept score, as you all know, how the body is smart as can be. Soon, my once crunchy bones became weak and flimsy.


With hunger and thirst that could put to shame, any newborns cruelly left to die.
I joined a pig’s shelter, Essentially went non-kosher, Eating the pig’s food, not the pig, just to survive!


Whilst eating like nobody was watching, I had a little epiphany. I could return home, work as a servant and be happy. ,
For the life as a servant, at my father’s home, would be better than this misery.


Shaking off the dust from my clothes, and the ego in my head, I left this foreign town, with my shadow of relent.


Walking for days, I became weary on the final road, And as I was reaching my final steps, I saw a familiar face. Running towards me as a lightning bolt, Was the man, my father, oddly overjoyed. He came and embraced me: Taking me back to when I was a little boy.


A surprise lavish party, my father threw on the same night of my return. I, the prodigal son, was now celebrated, for no reason- unheard. Even my older brother was envious from the surprise. But, I couldn’t blame him, As I didn’t deserve a celebration, I deserved to be chastised.



This is my story, a prodigal son who treated his own flesh and blood, My father as “good for dead”. A son who hocked his inheritance. In mundane terms, I was lost and dead, simultaneously. Merely, thanks to my father’s agape love, a second chance, I, the prodigal son, can see clearly again.

Red, white, green
What does it mean?
Christmas colours all over the place
Or Israel and Palestine’s festering , insane and terrible fate?

Red, white , green
What do you see?
A time for beauty from Christmas fashion or decor
Rather than reminding -yourself- on the people suffocating from war.

Red, white, green
What do you feel?
Gratitude, subliminal messages and rest
While other people- ‘not your problem’- die from hunger and distress.

Red, white, green
Three colours that mean a lot,
For many it’s merely symbolic of Christmas fun and cheer.
When for others- gone and present- the colours are an expression- suppression, spite and fear.

Dear God,

You made Abraham go through a test, but You intervened when he was in the midst of it.

You allowed Joseph to be sold by his own brothers, yet You never left him. You even You turned the storms of his life, into a field of pasture- satisfying all in a famine.

You permitted Daniel to be placed in the lion’s den. Despite the odds, Daniel was left unharmed. This story showed how I too, can stop worrying how things work out.

You allowed Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Instead, You joined them in it. Proving to me that in my fiery furnace, You will not deliver me out of it. Rather, You will join me in it.

Oh my God, help me to never forget these historical figures and stories. Help me to remember that I am where You want me to be. Even when it hurts, help me to trust in You. Then, I will take courage, for I will know that You are for me. Always. Amen 🙏

To serve well, remember those before you. Perhaps a Sunday school teacher, Father of confession or close friend.

Here are more pointers to 'glow up' your service life:

1. Get from the source - Jesus Christ. You must be filled to fill others. Think of the airplane analogy of placing your own oxygen mask BEFORE assisting others to place their own oxygen masks.

2. Utilize the Church altar. It is there with unseen power to solve any problem you face. Try it for yourself.

3. Do not worry about the results or metrics per se. Just be honest and have integrity; to provide people with all the necessary tools for their salvation. For example, ensure every child in Sunday school, knows that God loves them.

4. Remember that you have different sets of talents and duties entrusted. Percentage is the same. Keep accountable and go a 100 percent.

5. Remember when it gets hard, look up and behold the Lord, and the Heavenlies (saints and angels) above. Trust that it will get better. Do not give up.

6. Look at John the Baptist as a case study ( Luke 3: 2-9).Like John, clearly say who you are. Furthermore, John the Baptist being called a 'voice crying' alludes to us being like a sound wave in service. Hence, as servants, our role is fleeting. We must leave an impact when we get the chance. The impacts can be from our words and actions. Finally, as John the Baptist identified the problems of the Pharisees. As a disciple, we must be aware of our children being exposed to problems. We must assist them and ensure they have personalized strategies to cope in this world. Remember, service is not a 'bulk billing exchange. You must personalize it.

7. Serve the Lord of the house NOT the house of the Lord. We are expected to serve the Lord of the house. Have margin in your life according to your father of confession.

8. Seek wisdom, guidance, mentorship, feedback sandwich, seek the next person.

9.Read the passage Matthew 10: 5.

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you “.

Main idea: Here the Psalmist talks about hiding God's word in his heart. It also helps us notice why we should memorize God's word. By memorising , it’s not that we will become “sinless”, but rather we will “sin less”.

Furthering this point, author-Jen Lyod Goodwin, notes that this Psalm is our call to internalizing God's word. We can internalise His word by reading it, studying it, believing it, marinating in it, being filled with it, being shaped by it. Not just things in the world.

Fast forward to when you all have your kids, remember that if we don’t teach our children to follow and love Jesus, the world will teach them not to. This is not a joke. It is a reminder of the importance of intentional communication between us and God.

In closing, please join me in reciting this prayer today:

Lord, thank you for the Holy Bible. We thank you that within the pages are everything required for us to live godly lives. Thank you also for the privilege of being a child of God. You are our hero and Heavenly Father. We love you. We all ask you to bless everyone here and away today. Finally, may our words inspire and encourage someone today and beyond. Oh , Lord Jesus , help us to stand strong in this troubled world. We are weak. But You make us strong. Please accept our prayers. Through the intercession of Saint Mary, St Joseph, St Demiana, Archangel Michael, and St Arsenius, please hear us when we pray: Our Father who art in Heaven. Hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses. As we forgive those who trespass against us. For thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory. Forever. Amen.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church Tasbeha is one of my favourite services. It gives you a glimpse of what eternity will be like- praising God always.

Tasbeha is an allegorical expression of humanity travelling from darkness to light.

Since the 4th century church, the church praised God in the early hours . Hence why Tasbeha starts with the hymn: “Arise children of light,”.

Furthering this notion, the progression of Tasbeha can be compartmentalized into the following : Praise God for victory ( 1st Hoas) ; thank God ( 2nd Hoas) ; prayer of Daniel answered (3rd Hoas) ; all creation praises God (4th Hoas) .

Following Tasbeha, the morning service of Matins occurs. In Matins, three takeaways can be noted:

1. Thanksgiving. To ask God to enter the sanctuary for praise.

2. Litany of the oblations. Where things for us change. God taking what is ours and giving us what is His. For instance, we give God our bread, wine , praise and hearts. And God gives us His body and blood. He gives us the eternal instead of the temporal. Heavenly instead of the earthly. We give darkness. God gives us light. This is so precious.

3. Live your Liturgy. Not just in church, but in everything we do. In everywhere we go.

All in all, Tasbeha and Matins are a reminder on us improving, but still having a long way to go.