August 2, 2010
Mr Samuel Lim Kok Boon has a zeal to develop the best in his students, despite their shortcomings. Yet this History teacher at Swiss Cottage Secondary School and recipient of this year's Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) recipient says, "I'm not out to change the world. I believe in celebrating my students' successes with them. I believe in affirming them publicly and frequently," he declares.July 20, 2010
Ask Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) recipient Mr Muhammad Fadylla Rashiman what he believes, and this is what he'll tell you: "I see the kids as opportunities for growth. We need to provide them opportunities to experience success, and school is the main platform to do this, given that they spend more than half a day at school." As a PE and Track & Field teacher, Mr Fadylla's approach is to give his pupils at Boon Lay Garden Primary School a taste of success, so as to encourage them to strive harder to achieve success again.July 15, 2010
Watching bubbles rise from the bottom of a test tube, seeing colourful crystals form as a result of chemical reaction, and hands-on experiments and demonstrations that help students develop an enquiring mind - these are some of the reasons why Ms Yuen Chai Lin usually conducts her Chemistry lessons at Pioneer Secondary School in the laboratory rather than in the classroom. "My students learn better when they can observe something as it's more tangible," she says. She is one of the recipients of this year's Outstanding Young Educator Award (OYEA).Continue reading “Finding the Right Chemistry with Students”»
August 18, 2009
Ms Leow (left) was in charge of giving out tattoos to participants at a Sengkang West National Day Carnival.
Getting young people excited about what's going on in the community - that's what that teacher Ms Leow Hwee Fen believes in, both in and out of school. As the Subject Head for Mathematics in Anderson Secondary School, she has adopted innovative teaching methods that get her students more interested in learning about mathematical concepts. And as an active member of the Youth Executive Committee (YEC) of Anchorvale Community Centre, she tries to draw young people into a closer bond with the community.
"Not only do I have fun being involved in events, it's also my way to give back to society," Ms Leow reflects. "It's been enriching for me too, as I pick up valuable lessons in organising and managing events." Her dedication to school and community was recently recognised when she received the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) 2009.
Ms Leow's involvement in community activities began when she was a child, as a participant in such activities. Living across the road from Jalan Kayu South Community Centre, her whole family were regulars at activities such as the children's spot-art competitions, lantern festival celebrations, National Day parties and monthly jog-a-walk sessions. "The people working at the CC basically watched me grow up," she laughs.
Continue reading “Building a Community Spirit among Youths”»
July 16, 2009
2009 OYEA recipient Mr Eugene Ng sometimes plays the school mascot Liger, a lion-tiger hybrid whose name is a reminder of the school values (Loyalty, Integrity, Generosity, Enthusiasm, Responsibility).
"It's my personal mission to make people laugh," declares Eugene Ng Ming Teck, recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) 2009, "because when they laugh, it shows that they're happy, which in turn gives me joy."
This Jing Shan Primary School teacher loves using drama and "over-the-top" ways to make both pupils and colleagues laugh in school. He has assumed the roles of the God of Fortune and Big-headed Doll during the school's Lunar New Year celebrations. And he was not only part of the team that created Liger, the school mascot (a cross between a lion and tigress), he's also donned a furry "liger" suit complete with a long tail to play the role. "The children loved to pull my tail," he kids.
But what Mr Ng has accomplished as a teacher is not just entertaining his pupils - he also opens their eyes to the world beyond the school and how they can contribute to it.
July 14, 2009
2009 OYEA recipient Mr Muhammad Rezal is the president of the Tchoukball Association of Singapore and a qualified tchoukball coach who trains not only teams in his school but also the national women's team.
"You never know what might hit them, or when - that's why I like to expose young people to as many activities as possible," says Mr Muhammad Rezal bin Ramli, one of the three recipients of the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2009. What might hit them, he hopes, is a spark of interest or a cause, which would move the individual deeply to pursue it in what Mr Rezal calls "auto mode" - as an integral and natural part of his life.
For Mr Rezal, a geography teacher and Head of Student Leadership (Internal) at Ping Yi Secondary School, he was "hit" twice - first by tchoukball (a sport similar to handball) when he was an undergraduate, then by community service in 2006. In fact, he was so crazy about the former that he borrowed and set up the equipment in his university classroom, hoping to interest his friends in a game. Although no one took up his offer, Mr Rezal made a note of the game for future reference. After all, it would be suitable for schools as it is a non-contact sport, and can be attempted by players of all shape, size and ability.
July 18, 2008
Mr Melvin Cher sharing tips with pupils in the guitar elective programme.
July 16, 2008
Miss Chua is a Girl Guides captain and plays an active role in the CCA.
July 14, 2008
Mr Quek believes pupils need to hone their "adversity quotient", in addition to academic and physical prowess.
Continue reading “From Flab to Fit, and It Takes Only a Sharp Eye”»
November 9, 2007
Ms Sukhjeet Kaur is always looking at ways to draw out the best in her students and spur them to scale greater heights.
An interview with OYEA 2007 winner, Miss Sukhjeet Kaur
When Miss Sukhjeet Kaur taught English Language to a Normal (Technical) class at Swiss Cottage Secondary School, she developed such a rapport with the students that by the end of her two years with them, they were correcting her English if she ever slipped up. "It was initially a challenge to win them over, but after some time, they amazed everyone - and themselves, I think - with what they could achieve," she reflects.
As for them playing teacher to her language skills, Miss Sukhjeet took it all in her stride. "I didn't mind them correcting my English. After all, they were getting better at the language and were using more sophisticated vocabulary - what more could I ask for?"
November 7, 2007
Mdm Huang Yiyan injects elements of fun into her P.E. lessons and hopes to inculcate good values through P.E. classes.
An interview with OYEA 2007 winner, Mdm Huang Yiyan
Teaching PE isn’t only about ball games and having a good time in the sun. For Mdm Huang Yiyan at CHIJ Katong Convent, the challenge was to motivate her students to take an interest in healthy living. So even for something as potentially mundane as training for the 2.4 km NAPFA run, she jazzed up PE lessons with an improvised orienteering run, Amazing Race-style.
The students had fun - and ran well! But the more important lesson Mdm Huang hopes they will remember are the lessons in life and values that PE can teach them. “Sports teach us life lessons, like learning to persevere and focus on the
Continue reading “OYEA 2007: Lessons about Life, through Sports”»