BUKIT Panjang Government High teacher Ezra Sham Mohamed, 36, hails from a family of teachers.
His parents and stepmother are retired teachers. Four aunts and an uncle became teachers too.

His uncle, Mr Ismail Taha, is a former head of physical education at Victoria Junior College, and one of his aunts, Miss Fuziah Muhamad Taha, is principal of Fuhua Primary.

Mr Ezra's grandfather was principal of Telok Blangah Primary and his grandmother taught at Geylang Malay Girls' School.

(above) TEACHERS PAST AND PRESENT: Teacher couples (from right) Ezra Sham Mohamed, 36; and Madam Haslila Tahir, 34; with Mr Ezra's biological mother, Madam Siti Hana Satipan, 61; stepmother, Madam Aishah Muhamad Taha, 59; and father, Mr Mohamed Alamdin, 63; all three retired teachers. Mr Ezra's grandparents also were teachers. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

He has three siblings, one of whom, Nur Ezreen, 26, is also a teacher.

Mr Ezra married a teacher too. His wife, Madam Haslila Tahir, 34, taught at Greenwood Primary before switching to freelance teaching to take care of their children.

At family gatherings, it is hard for the teachers not to talk about schools, students and homework. 'But we do talk about other things as well,' said Ms Nur Ezreen with a smile.

For her brother, Mr Ezra, the love of teaching is something that runs in his blood.

'The passion for teaching grew inside the family. We see it as a noble job.'

Is this article useful to you?