Singapore’s top teachers speak out!
What got you into teaching?
This is my sixth year teaching at CIS. Every child is unique and I’ve always been fascinated observing their development.
How do you encourage your students to be the best they can be?
My goal as a teacher is to nurture and support each child’s curiosity and to champion it. I do this by always believing in them and providing a nurturing, caring and safe environment where we celebrate mistakes as much as we celebrate achievements. What works for one child may not work for another. It’s about knowing and understanding who your students are.
How do you make lessons interesting?
I observe each child to understand them so I can guide their learning. It’s essential that I ensure their school experience gives them access to the knowledge they’re trying to gain.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at CIS?
The diverse community. We have children and families from many different countries, cultures, and beliefs, who work together in harmony to build respect and understanding.
How would you MOST like to be remembered as a teacher?
As someone who gave their best. I’m fortunate to see many of my students grow through their early years.
How long have you been teaching at AIS?
A year and a half. After studying in Australia I wanted to be a dancer. My teachers saw that I was a natural teacher, and my parents, being teachers themselves, saw something in me I did not yet see. After my first placement in university I was hooked on teaching. My calling found me!
What do you do to make lessons interesting?
I’m a huge fan of questioning the traditional role of a teacher and a student in the class that I experienced when I was in school. I like to encourage different modes of learning. For example, in teaching inferencing, my class modelled their inferences with playdough and then justified their answers.
How do you encourage your students?
Consistent accountability and clear expectations. I also have frequent check-ins with all the students in my class so they feel understood, seen, and importantly, they know someone cares about the work they’re doing. I also try to celebrate individual students in my classroom with written notes, shoutouts or rewards.
What do you most ENJOY about your job?
I like seeing the students grow in confidence and maturity, managing their self-talk when they perceive failure, cultivating their self-control and seeing what they do with trust given to them.
How would you like to be remembered as a teacher?
As one who doesn’t give up on you and who cares deeply that you’re growing, learning, and taking care of yourself and others.
How long have you been teaching?
The satisfaction I gain from watching the children evolve into confident and empathetic individuals has kept me going for 10 years. Based on my own schooling experience, I came to an understanding that children are meant to be unfolded, not molded.
What does teaching mean to you?
I believe it’s vital to give children ample time to experiment, explore, observe and construct. Through a hands-on manner, it gives the
children autonomy and agency in their own learning journeys, creating an intrinsic motivation for them to delve deeper.
How do you make lessons engaging?
Children have a hundred ways to express themselves and make connections to the world, so I offer open materials which allow them to make their thinking visible and express themselves creatively. I empower children to tap into their strengths and challenge themselves further whilst providing support from the side.
What do you love most about your work?
I’m blessed to work in a school whose view and image of the children aligns with mine. We work seamlessly together to present a way of education that is respectful, empowering and meaningful to the young learners.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
As a partner and friend in the children’s learning journey and time in school.