Canadian International School (CIS)
Ms. Bilo DIA, Homeroom teacher, French-English Bilingual Programme

How long have you been teaching at CIS?
It’s my second year here and I love it. My inspiration to teach came from a deep-rooted passion for learning and a desire to make an impact on young minds. Watching my students grow and develop critical skills, like empathy and self-management, is what fuels me.
How do you make class engaging?
With a mix of creativity, cultural exploration, and interactive activities. I like to use a variety of tools to encourage participation. I value open-ended questions, conducting polls, and having students work in groups to foster collaboration and engagement.
What makes your lessons stand out?
Interdisciplinary connection is my strength. I will connect the lesson to other subjects or disciplines to show its relevance and value. Bilingual education isn’t just about learning a language; it’s about fostering cross-cultural understanding, which is so valuable in today’s interconnected world.
How do you encourage students to be the best they can be?
I truly believe in them and I show genuine confidence in their abilities. I encourage them to focus on progress, effort and improvement.
What do you most like about your job?
I cherish my job when my students have “wow” moments – when they make connections between their learning and real-life situations.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at CIS?
The rich diversity of our bilingual and multilingual students. They bring unique perspectives, drawing connections between their learning and their individual identity and backgrounds, which makes for a dynamic and enriching classroom experience.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
As someone who was enthusiastic and made learning personal, passionate, and possible for all!

7 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore, 649414

Tanglin Trust School
Luke Hensman, Head of Upper School, Teacher of History and Politics

How long have you been teaching at Tanglin Trust School?
For 13 years. I grew up in NZ and come from a family of educators, and gained a BA in History and Political Science from Victoria University, before completing a PGCE in Wellington. I then taught at two independent schools in the UK. I have always had a passion for the value of education and a feeling that it would provide an engaging and fulfilling career.
How do you make your lessons interesting?
History and politics are about people and their stories. One of the best ways to engage students is through interesting quirks about iconic characters and fascinating stories from these subject areas.
How do you encourage students to stay motivated?
They know that I believe in them regardless of their current stage in the learning process. Clear expectations coupled with a lot of warmth and authentic interest in them as individual people is also essential.
What’s the best bit about your job?
It’s never boring! Working with young people is unpredictable and highly stimulating. It’s inspiring to be part of a young person’s journey of establishing who they are as a person, what they’re good at, and what they want to do with their lives.
What do you enjoy about teaching at Tanglin Trust School?
I never take for granted that I work at a school where there is so much aspiration from all types of stakeholders to do better than we did yesterday.
How would you like to be remembered as a teacher?
As someone who loved his subjects, and who believed in every student’s ability to become a better version of themselves.

Tangin Trust School, 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299

Dover Court International School (DCIS)
Rachael Cox, Primary Teacher, Year 4 Teacher

How long have you been teaching at DCIS?
Eight years. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to work with children. I was fortunate to have a very fulfilling work experience in a primary school as a teenager.
How do you make your lessons interesting?
I make relatable real-world connections and use storytelling to spark imagination. I use engaging activities within a flexible learning environment and promote student agency, and I always try to keep a sense of enthusiasm and positivity, using my energy to keep things exciting.
How do you encourage your students?
I always encourage them to try their best and show resilience when something is challenging. I create an environment where children aren’t afraid to push themselves, to ask questions or to get things wrong.
What do you most like about your job?
The children, and the excitement and energy they bring each day. It’s a privilege to see them learn, to watch them grow and to be a part of it all.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at DCIS?
The community feel we have here – like everyone is a part of one big family.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
As a teacher who made learning fun and engaging, and as a supportive and caring figure who believed in her students, encouraged them and ensured they felt valued. Ultimately, I hope my students carry with them a love for learning and the confidence to chase their dreams.

 301 Dover Road, Singapore, 139644

Chatsworth International School
Ms. Lorna Farmer, Teacher of English Language and Literature

How long have you been teaching at Chatsworth?
Nearly five years. One of the most significant inspirations for me to become a teacher was the impact my own teachers had on me when I was at school. They not only taught me academic knowledge, but also instilled in me a love for learning.
How do you make your lessons interesting?
I enjoy encouraging students to engage in higher-order thinking skills through regular class discussions. I also love exploring the rich language of different texts and teaching students about characters and themes which resonate with them.
How do you keep students motivated?
To make the lessons engaging, I try to create a real-world connection to give students a greater understanding of why they need to learn something.
What do you most like about your job?
Encouraging students to be the best they can be, I emphasise passion, fun and effort. If the learning is enjoyable, they are likely to do better. I find that if I’m having a good time in the lesson, the students are too!
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
Learning new things. It’s fun when students and teachers can do this together. What’s really special about working at Chatsworth is the sense of community spirit and a truly inspirational work culture.
How do you hope your students will remember you?
As someone who said that hard work pays off and to never, ever give up.

 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore, 289760

North London Collegiate School (Singapore)
Jonathan Guy, Head of Libraries

How long have you been teaching at NLCS?
I’ve been the Head of Libraries since the school opened in 2020, bringing with me 34 years of experience as a librarian. My passion for research and libraries guided my career, starting at the London School of Economics. At a loss as to where I wanted to go career wise, after university I wrote to every university library in London. LSE offered me an interview and a job!
Why is a school library so important?
I hope that the library environment encourages a love of reading, research, inquiry, and developing knowledge.
How does your role work?
My role as a librarian is to work with each student individually and support them to develop their own method of research. It’s important that I engage with them to ensure that they continue to develop a thirst for reading and a genuine enjoyment in reading for pleasure. Reading and research are lifelong skills.
How do you encourage students to reach their potential?
I believe that education is both holistic and personal. It’s not a competition; it’s about helping each student reach their unique potential. Education also involves fostering understanding, compassion, and empathy. It’s about growing into a global citizen who values and respects the diverse cultures that shape our world, not just where we live on the red dot.
What do you most like about your job?
Engaging with the students, discussing books, and recommending new ones. I love it when students recommend books to me. The discovery of something fresh, exciting and completely original is the essence of being a school librarian.

130 Depot Road, Singapore,109708

Nexus International School (Singapore)
Graeme Massey, Year 13 Leader, teaching Physical and Health Education, IBDP Sports Exercise and Health Science

How long have you been teaching here?
I’m proud to say since it first opened its doors in Singapore at the old Ulu Pandan Campus, almost 14 years ago. Since then, we’ve seen the school grow from 300 learners to over 1500 learners across both the Primary and Secondary Schools.
What’s important to you as a teacher?
Getting to know my learners as individuals early on is key to building successful and beneficial learning-focused relationships. It’s important to know what my learners’ interests are, how they best learn, as well as what they want out of the year ahead.
How do you make sure your lessons stand out?
In my Sports Science lessons, I believe it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends and research in Exercise and Sport Science. This ensures that the content is relevant and reliable for learners to engage in.
How do you encourage your students to learn?
Ultimately, my aim is to have every learner that I teach leave their secondary education with an understanding of the importance of regular physical activity and a positive attitude towards incorporating it to become a life-long habit.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
For me, it’s seeing the penny drop for a learner whether they are grasping a new skill or understanding a scientific concept. The energy and enthusiasm that comes from those moments is enough to keep you teaching forever.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at Nexus?
The emphasis that Nexus puts on relationships through our relational approach and the importance of community. These relationships extend to our peers, support staff and, of course, our incredible parent community. For these reasons, it’s a great place to come to work every morning.
How do you hope your students will remember you?
As someone who had a real passion for their subject and for holistic education, and as a teacher who shared valuable skills and tools for the leaders of tomorrow.

1 Aljunied Walk, Singapore, 387293

Marlborough College Malaysia
Mrs Laura Watson, Physics Teacher and Deputy Housemistress for Iskandar House (girls boarding)

How long have you been teaching at Marlborough?
I’ve been teaching for 13 years with the last five at Marlborough College. I took a break for two years after the birth of my third child and was delighted to return to MCM to continue my career.
How do you make your lessons interesting?
I take the time to develop relationships with the students so I can tailor my lessons as much as possible to their needs and interests. I’m also at a complete advantage as my subject is practical-based so it’s not hard for me to “jazz” up a lesson. Have you melted marshmallows to find the wavelength of a microwave recently?!
What do you do to make sure your lessons shine?
Often, the lessons stand out because we’re using everyday items to explain some pretty big concepts. The simplicity often makes my students go “Oh! Wow – okay!”
How do you encourage your students to be their best?
It’s about understanding their strengths and weaknesses and playing to those.
What’s the best bit about your job?
It’s dynamic and keeps me on my toes. No two days are ever the same.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at Marlborough?
There’s so much going on outside of the classroom for pupils to get involved in. Our students are very well-rounded and there’s a strong sense of “Let’s give it a go!” Students aren’t labelled as “academic” or “sporty”. Everyone can give it all a try and have the opportunity to succeed.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
That I was a warm and compassionate teacher, and that students knew I cared and brought out their best qualities, both in my subject and in school as a whole.

Jalan Marlborough, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Bronwyn Cumming, Grade 6 Classroom Teacher and CAS Coordinator

How long have you been teaching at SJI International (Elementary School)?
Almost nine years. As an avid sportswoman and coach, in my younger days, I’ve always enjoyed working with children and people to help them realise their potential, whether in sports or academics.
How do you motivate your students?
I try to revolve lessons around their world as much as possible, always asking them to make personal connections in their reading and thinking.
How do you make your lessons stand out?
Apart from keeping things light and having a sense of humour, I strive to create a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and exploring ideas.
How do you encourage your students to be the best?
I believe the role of a good educator is to empower students to take an interest and ownership in what they’re learning. Taking an interest in who my students are and what they enjoy doing outside of school also helps them know that you care, improves their general wellbeing, and provides an environment that fosters learning.
What’s your favourite part about your job?
SJII (Elementary) has a strong values-based and character education programme inspired by The Virtues ProjectTM and the school’s foundation of Lasallian education. Working somewhere that promotes a student’s personal and social development alongside their academic growth is refreshing and inspiring.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at your school?
I find great joy and fulfilment in my role, aside from teaching, as a Community, Activity and Service (CAS) Coordinator at SJII (Elementary School). Beyond teaching, service initiatives like our annual Lapathon has been particularly rewarding.

490 Thomson Road, Singapore, 298191

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)
Diana Yacou, Head of Grade 11 and IB Biology & Science Teacher

How long have you been teaching at the school?
Since August 2012. I had the desire to travel, and being in education allowed me to experience the world beyond Australia’s borders.
How do you make your lessons interesting for the students?
As a Science teacher, I capture our students’ wonderful imaginations by teaching complex material in relation to everyday phenomena and the many examples of innovation in the world around us.
What do you do to make your lessons stand out?
UWCSEA’s Science department is very collaborative, so we share our best practices with one another. I like to pose open-ended questions which encourages students to think critically and deeply about the topic.
How do you help students be the best they can be?
I’m always creating opportunities for them to feel safe and supported enough to ask questions, make mistakes, have discussions, listen to constructive feedback, promote curiosity, and develop practical skills for their future careers.
What do you most like about your job?
There’s never a dull moment as our students help me to become a life-long learner. I don’t think of teaching as a job; it is my way of living and shapes my identity.
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
The interactions I have with the parent community at UWCSEA. My colleagues have also become my close friends and are my family away from home.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
Just as I was inspired by my maths and biology teachers, I hope students remember me as a teacher who inspires a passion for the sciences.

UWCSEA Dover: v+65 6775 5344
UWCSEA East (Tampines): +65 6305 5344
 admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg

One World International School (OWIS) Nanyang Campus
Karen Sharon Brooks, Grade 5 Teacher

How long have you been teaching at OWIS?
About 26 years, with experience in Australia, Scotland, and Singapore. I’ve spent the last six years teaching at One World International School (OWIS) Singapore in Nanyang (Jurong West).
How do you make your lessons interesting?
I keep up to date with the latest professional developments OWIS offers and implement ideas from workshops into my daily teaching. In addition, I also run my own maths workshops and conduct personal research to stay informed. To make my lessons interesting, I ask my students what they enjoyed most about the lesson and what they would like to do more of.
What do you do to make your teaching stand out?
I employ various strategies. For example, in maths I set up stations, including a teacher-focused station where I support students at their level, which builds their self-confidence and self-esteem.
How do you encourage your students to be the best?
I have positive conversations with them each morning, and I create a supportive and positive learning environment where they feel safe to take risks and express ideas. I also provide regular feedback to help them identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
What do you most like about your job?
The opportunity to make a positive impact on students’ lives. Seeing their growth and development, both academically and personally, brings me immense satisfaction.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at OWIS?
The strong sense of community and collaboration among everyone, from teachers and leaders to administrators, cleaners, and supportive parents. Everyone is friendly and kind, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
What legacy would you like to leave as a teacher?
Ultimately, I wish to leave a lasting impression as a dedicated educator who helped students develop not only academically but also personally, instilling in them the confidence and skills they need to thrive in the world beyond the classroom.

21 Jurong West Street 81, Singapore, 649075

Australian International School (AIS)
Lisa Van Der Berg, Head of EAL Elementary (English as an Additional Language) / Year 2 EAL Teacher

How long have you been teaching at AIS?
I joined AIS in 2019. I’ve always been passionate about children having access to high quality education which shapes the future for the child and for society as a whole. It’s immensely rewarding to know that you’re playing even a small part in educating a child who’ll grow up to become part of the next generation of adults, leaders and decision makers.
How do you keep students captivated?
I invite them to bring their interests, experiences and prior knowledge to lessons to enrich the learning experience for everyone. The students make the lessons interesting by engaging, participating and sharing their ideas and perspectives with each other.
How do you ensure your lessons stand out?
AIS is a highly collaborative school that focuses on the success and academic wellbeing of our students in all their classrooms and activities. Our strength is in our teamwork where we support each other as educators to create the environment where students thrive. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with and learn from a team of exceptional educators at AIS.
How do you encourage students to be the best?
Each one brings with them their own needs, wants and strengths. Co-creating goals together with the student helps to keep them motivated. Providing timely and relevant feedback, instruction and encouragement, and a little bit of freedom, students are empowered to achieve their goals. I have a strong belief in every student’s ability to surprise their teachers and themselves in how great they can be!
What do you love about your job?
Listening to students’ ideas and perspectives and watching them grow in confidence, knowledge and skills. Playing a small part in helping students to thrive gives me great joy.
How would you like to be remembered as a teacher?
As someone who cared. Each child needs a champion and as teachers we can be that champion for students every day.

1 Lorong Chuan, Singapore, 556818

Brighton College (Singapore)
Andrew Stratford, Head of Music

How long have you been teaching at Brighton College?
I’ve been teaching for 27 years, mostly in the UK, and at Brighton College for just over a month. Having been a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral from a young age helped in influencing me to become a teacher and share my passion and drive for music holistically.
How do you make your lessons interesting for the students?
Providing varied activities throughout the session keeps them engaged and interested. Of course, the practical nature of the subject helps with this! Topics that the children can relate to also makes lessons fun and interactive.
What do you do to ensure your lessons stand out?
What other lessons combine activities like singing and acting as a penguin with vocal warm-ups and playing percussion instruments, before exploring the social history of a topic and composing and performing it?!
How do you encourage your students to be the best?
Keep encouraging, keep rewarding, keep challenging.
What do you most like about your job?
There are so many things! But seeing the children grow up and progress musically is rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Brighton College?
Meeting new colleagues, parents and children, especially with the mix of cultures here in Singapore.
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
As somebody who encouraged, inspired, listened and made time for all.

1 Chuan Lane, Singapore, 554299

Dulwich College (Singapore)
Harry Banks, Year 4 Teacher, Head of Student Leadership

How long have you been teaching at Dulwich College (Singapore)?
This is my sixth year here. Teaching has been my passion since I was 15, when a supportive work experience at my old primary school made me realise this was the path I wanted to follow. I haven’t looked back.
How do you keep your classes engaging?
I believe knowing the students is key. I tailor lessons to their interests, giving them space to express themselves. Dulwich’s curriculum emphasises conceptual learning, allowing students to explore what excites them and create their own paths. When students connect learning to their lives, they’re more engaged and interested.
What makes your lessons stand out from the rest?
At Dulwich, we focus on giving students ownership of their learning. I guide them in connecting past knowledge with current studies, helping them see the real-world relevance. This empowers them to take charge of their education.
How do you keep students motivated?
Students know that my classroom is a safe space to express themselves and make mistakes, which are seen as part of learning. I’ve found they give their best when you genuinely know and care about their interests outside of class.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Nothing is more rewarding than watching a student overcome struggles and grow in confidence. As Head of Student Leadership, I’m proud to see students confidently speak before nearly 1,000 people – something I’d have feared at their age!
How would you most like to be remembered as a teacher?
I entered this profession because of a teacher who saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself. I hope to inspire students in the same way – by encouraging them to pursue their passions and helping them recognise their own strengths.

71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966
 singapore.dulwich.org

The Perse School (Singapore)
Kephren Sherry, Head of Primary, The Perse School (Singapore)

Tell us about your teaching journey …
I love guiding young learners and creating environments where they can thrive academically and personally. I hold a Master’s in Educational Leadership and have led teams in both Early Years and Primary schools, as well as helping to establish schools in Malaysia and Dubai. Now, I’m excited to bring The Perse School’s tradition of excellence here in Singapore.
How do you ensure that learning is engaging and relevant?
At Perse School, we focus on creating an interactive and hands-on learning environment. We incorporate project-based learning, real-world examples, and activities that help students apply their knowledge. Additionally, we prioritise building a safe and supportive environment where students feel confident to explore, ask questions, and take risks without fear of failure.
What do you do to make sure your lessons stand out?
We create lessons that not only meet academic standards but also ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking. By integrating subjects in a holistic way, I connect topics to make learning more relevant and engaging for students. Additionally, we leverage technology and creative resources to bring lessons to life, ensuring they are both memorable and impactful.
How do you encourage your students to be the best?
Students should be praised when they’re doing things well and putting in effort to be successful. We believe that students thrive when they feel valued and are in an environment where they’re encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and explore new ideas.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
To observe the growth of students and support their development plays a key part in what I like most about my job. Watching students learn new skills and grow in confidence is always so rewarding. Additionally, building a curriculum to have a meaningful impact on students is a source of joy, and I enjoy being able to support teachers to do the same.
What do you most enjoy about teaching at your school in particular?
The Perse School (Singapore) has a unique community atmosphere where both students and staff feel supported and valued. I love how we integrate “The Perse Way” into everything we do, ensuring that students not only excel academically but also grow as well-rounded individuals.
What legacy would you like to leave as a teacher?
As an academician who truly cared about each student’s success and wellbeing, someone who inspired curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning.

58 Chestnut Drive, Singapore, 679301
 perse.com.sg

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