Working with high school students is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. It’s not always easy—teaching comes with its fair share of long days and challenges. However, spending so much time around young people always keeps me hopeful and inspired. At Mount Royal Academy, this experience is even more special because of the school’s Catholic identity, which brings so much meaning into what we do every day. As Catholics, we believe that God is good, that he created the world out of love for us, that he was willing to die for us, and that there is a universal call to holiness. Every hair on our heads is numbered, and God has a plan for our lives. I think human beings rely upon truths like this in order to carry on in a world where things sometimes look very bleak.
Young people are naturally energetic and optimistic. Students are often curious, creative, and unafraid to ask serious questions about life, faith, and the world. It’s refreshing to be around that kind of enthusiasm. Here at Mount Royal in particular, students know that they are loved by God, and this truth shapes how they approach their school work, their friendships, and their lives in general. Our students know that education is not just about learning facts, but about gaining wisdom. It gives me great hope on a daily basis to see that young people can understand this, appreciate it, and work towards it. There are many negative voices in the world that would have us believe the rising generation in our world today is incapable of such things, but my experience at Mount Royal has convinced me otherwise.
Of course, there are days when the job feels overwhelming. There’s always more to grade, more to plan, and more to do. But what makes it worth it are the students themselves. Their kindness, their gratitude, and even their laughter on an ordinary day can make the difficult elements of the job feel insignificant. It’s humbling to witness a child remain faithful and joyful, even when life is difficult. As a result, my students are not just learning from me; I’m learning from them, too. Their belief in God’s goodness and their trust in the future inspire me to keep aiming high every day.
For all of these reasons and many more, Mount Royal Academy is a place I’m truly grateful for. It is a special and little-known gem in our small corner of the world. It’s more than just a school—it’s a community that is grounded in faith and built on a shared mission to grow in virtue and seek truth. Being part of this mission, alongside such impressive young people, is a blessing I don’t take for granted. Human beings need hope, and I have found quite a lot of it here.
Teaching here isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. And every time I step into the classroom, I’m reminded of just how rewarding that calling really is.
-Ambrose Bean, Humanities Teacher, Academic Advisor
Mr. Bean recently published his book, Catholic Revival: A Rallying Cry to the Rising Generation in the Church. Purchase a copy or learn more here.