Panthers of ISKL #298: Pat Hughes - The PE Teacher
I see Physical Education as much more than movement. It’s an environment where children learn what it means to be human: how to collaborate, negotiate, and engage in conversations that embody unity, growth, and play. My role is to guide those experiences while giving students the skills and confidence to carry them beyond the confines of the gym and into life.
Pat Hughes is a Third Culture Kid and lifelong educator who brings a unique and heartfelt perspective to his roles as an Elementary School PE Teacher and Varsity Volleyball coach at ISKL.
His journey has taken him across the globe, and he has found a home at ISKL, where he is a valued part of the school community.
Here is Pat’s story:
Please tell us more about yourself.
I’m a proud Third Culture Kid. I spent my entire school journey, from pre-kindergarten to graduating in Grade 12, at the Jakarta International School (now known as Jakarta Intercultural School).
Education has always been part of my life, as both of my parents were teachers. My career has been in teaching Physical Education and coaching volleyball and track & field.
I’ve worked in Kazakhstan, Vietnam, China, and now here in Malaysia. I’m here with my wife, Lisa Hughes, who teaches Grade 2 and also coaches at our school.
When and why did you join ISKL?
I joined ISKL 3 years ago at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. As I grew up in an international educational background, I really wanted to return to an IASAS school not solely because of my experiences through sports, but also because the values instilled in me were empathy, understanding, and a desire to do what is best for the people around me. This has become my approach to teaching and coaching.
Can you tell us more about your ES Physical Education Teacher position? What are your daily activities? What is the most enjoyable and most challenging part of your job?
In my role as an Elementary School PE Teacher, my daily activities focus on creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment where students build fundamental movement skills, teamwork, and confidence. My mornings often start with preparing lessons that connect to both physical literacy and social-emotional growth. I also make it a priority that students feel welcome, heard, and valued every time they walk into class. I strive to help students find pathways to joy throughout the day, because when students are smiling, they are open to learning and cognizant of others’ needs and feelings.
I also see PE as much more than movement. It’s an environment where children learn what it means to be human: how to collaborate, negotiate, and engage in conversations that embody unity, growth, and play. My role is to guide those experiences while giving students the skills and confidence to carry them beyond the confines of the gym and into life.
We understand that you are also a coach for the IASAS Volleyball team. Please tell us more about it, and what are you most proud of when it comes to coaching?
I’ve been coaching Varsity Volleyball for 10 years, and the last two have truly been the most rewarding of my career. The girls I work with are not only hard-working and competitive, but they’ve also built a genuine family dynamic that makes our team special.
One of the highlights last year was our path to earning the school’s first silver medal in over 20 years. What stood out most to me wasn’t the medal itself, but the journey; watching the girls refuse to give up, fighting for every point. We came back from being down 0–2 in the best-of-five matches twice at IASAS, something I’ve never experienced before, even as a player. That level of grit and resilience was inspiring.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. This year’s group carries that same passion, trust, and love for each other, and it’s an honor to be part of their journey—supporting them, guiding them, and celebrating the people they’re becoming both on and off the court.
Can you tell us more about your hobbies and interests? What do you do after work?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and doing activities that involve going to live sporting events, playing pickleball with friends, and we also enjoy travelling and tasting local cuisine through food tours. We really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I also enjoy working out at the gym, usually early in the morning, as I am too tired by the end of the day. I would say my guilty pleasure is watching documentaries.
Which Panther are you?
🐾 I am The Most Baik Panther – (Baik means kindhearted)
Share why you chose this superlative and how it shows your Panther spirit!
I'm The Most Baik Panther because… feelings are very important to me, and I place a lot of value on empathy. I genuinely feel for people when they are sad, struggling, or simply in need of companionship. I try to create a space where others feel seen, heard, and supported, because I believe that relationships are built on trust and care. Whether it’s with students, colleagues, or players, I make a conscious effort to check in, listen, and be present because sometimes what people need most isn’t a solution right away, but someone who understands and stands alongside them.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you:
I Suka (Like) ISKL because it’s a place I really feel at home. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms, and I really felt that ISKL is more than a place of work and it’s more than a community; it really has become my family.
What does ISKL’s Vision statement, “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world,” mean to you?
It’s both personal and professional. Knowing yourself means having self-awareness, not just of your strengths, but also of the areas where you can improve. As an educator and coach, I strive to model this for my students and athletes by being reflective and intentional about how I teach, lead, and interact with others.
Care for all speaks to empathy and inclusion, values that are central to who I am. I want every student and athlete to feel welcome, valued, and supported, and I work hard to create spaces where they know their voices matter. It’s about ensuring that no one feels left out and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
Finally, creating a better world reminds me that education is bigger than academics or sports; it’s about equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and compassion to make a positive impact in whatever path they choose. For me, this means helping students learn not just movement or strategy, but also how to collaborate, respect differences, and build unity through play and teamwork.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.