These educators are innovators. They bring textbooks to life, uncover hidden talents, and know all the hacks to get brains buzzing.
More than that, they build dreams, nurture confidence, and shape tomorrow’s leaders.
They are 2024’s President’s Award for Teachers (PAT) recipients and finalists. Hear what they and their students have to say about how they make learning come alive.
“As their cheerleader, coach and counsellor, I help students see possibilities.”
“When students taste success with basic skills, they want to progress to broader, more challenging tasks.”
“No child should be left behind, not even in PE and sports. I adapt lessons for students with special needs. When their classmates skip to improve physical coordination, they can jump, hop or gallop.
A student with delayed muscular development used to feel tired after 10 minutes of PE. Now, he can comfortably complete a full period.”
Students say…
“Mr Shang taught me to be wise, responsible and stay on the right path. He recognised my leadership qualities and my interest to be a better leader.”
Read more about Mr Shang at Schoolbag.edu.sg“My philosophy in life is that our choices are guided by good values.”
“To teach values, I wanted to create something that students could learn through play.”
“This card game involves matching school values like respect and responsibility to actions that demonstrate these values. I called it CATCH! because values are taught and caught.
As students play, they internalise the meaning behind each value. It’s also a counselling tool. Students are now able to articulate actions like ‘I cannot give up, I must persevere’.”
Students say…
“Rather than providing direct answers, Mr Kevin Francis guides us to generate our own solutions as we navigate through challenges.”
Read more about Mr Kevin Francis at Schoolbag.edu.sg“Our students jump up to answer questions about green spaces.”
“They learn patience and hard work, growing alongside the plants they tend to.”
“When my Environmental Club students and I built the wetland pond, we created more than
a
wildlife habitat — we made a living classroom. Here, they develop curiosity and care for
nature.
Their excitement and sense of ownership are the true rewards. The science they’re
learning? That’s the icing on the cake.”
Students say…
“Instead of just reading about animals and insects, I got to see and touch them in person. I never knew real fish could feel both rough and slippery.”
Read more about Mr Mohan at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I believe in growing a deep sense of belonging in my students.”
“When students find answers to questions like ‘Who am I? What can I do? Who’s around me?’, they build resilience and self-awareness.”
“Children are never too young to learn skills for navigating their world.
Social-emotional skills and a sense of belonging prepare children for life. By believing in every student, we help all students engage fully in school.
These small actions have a big impact: we’re seeing typically quiet children shine, revealing hidden talents.”
Students say…
“Ms Chua turned my friendship conflict into a lesson about understanding and resolution.”
Read more about Ms Chua at Schoolbag.edu.sg“Secondary school is where students start to find their way.”
“If they know you care about them, they’ll fight battles for you.”
“As part of the school’s student leadership programme, I lead the Science Research
specialisation.
It was a ‘proud father moment’ for me when the first batch of students made it to the
Singapore Science and Engineering Fair finals. One of them remarked, ‘I don’t feel like
a
small fish anymore. I feel like I can compete with the other top teams.’”
Students say…
“Mr Tan inspires us with personal stories about never giving up and keeping optimistic.”
Read more about Dr Tan at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I see myself as a gardener, nurturing the unique character of each student.”
“Teaching involves a ripple effect – the more I care for my students, the more they care for others.”
“I shared with my students about my relationship with my parents, and how much they
sacrificed for me. By being open with my emotions, it helped to establish a connection
between me and my students.
I invited them to call their parents to thank them. I was so surprised that the first
student to do this was someone with a strained family relationship at home.”
Students say…
“Mdm Nan doesn’t just focus on whether we can speak Mandarin, she teaches us gratitude and filial piety.”
Read more about Mdm Nan at Schoolbag.edu.sg“There’s a hack for students to find their intrinsic motivation to learn, beyond just their GPA.”
“I organise hackathons, in collaboration with industry partners. Students solve real and current problem statements from the engineering industry.”
“They present solutions to the top management of partner companies.
This exposure builds their confidence.
This also helps them articulate their ideas, receive real-time feedback, and understand
the practical implications of their work in the professional landscape.”
Students say…
“Ms Chia’s moral support encourages me to move past mistakes and look towards doing better.”
Read more about Ms Chia at Schoolbag.edu.sg“Data is my secret weapon for stretching kids in the right ways.”
“As a research specialist, I want my students to appreciate the synergy between data and their work.”
“Data drives my teaching by revealing how students learn. I use this insight to create
tailored, gamified assignments and real-world simulations that challenge students beyond
their comfort zones.
From Excel-based escape rooms to entrepreneurship bootcamps, I’ve seen creative students
embrace data and research, realising they’re capable of making informed decisions and
driving innovation with confidence.”
Students say…
“When we had to learn about basic functions in Excel, Ms Sim turned the lesson into an exciting escape room challenge.”
Read more about Ms Sim at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I help students find their voice. It’s their avenue for creativity.”
“AI or technology may not help a child grow in confidence. Teachers can.”
“Whether it’s English, Maths or Social Studies, there are activities to help students
understand the world around them.
Through debates and discussions, students learn to project their voices. It also compels
them to reflect deeper about the issues they care about. This drives them to be
passionate
about something and find ways to make a change.”
Students say…
“Whenever we get a question wrong, Ms Guo reassures us that mistakes are checkpoints to success.”
Read more about Ms Guo at Schoolbag.edu.sg“The search for answers is often more important than the answers themselves.”
“Every problem is an opportunity. I guide students to find their own solutions.”
“During lessons, we don’t just solve equations. We measure tables with frisbees and sort
shapes to learn geometry. These hands-on activities make abstract concepts tangible.
Maths
isn’t just numbers – it’s a tool to understand our world.
I aim to show students they can master new skills, even things they didn’t think they’d
be
good at. With practice, they can achieve what once seemed impossible.”
Students say…
“The thing I will remember most about Mr Chan is his jokes. He makes Maths both memorable and easier to understand.”
Read more about Mr Chan at Schoolbag.edu.sg“A life changed, a life that is grateful, a life that reciprocates – that’s why teaching is meaningful.”
“I want to impress on my students that there are many things in life they can reverse.”
“When I started out as a teacher 15 years ago, I saw that the greater impact lay not in
grades but in less tangible results.
The most important lesson anyone should learn is to ‘zuò rén’, which is how a
person lives an upright life for himself and the community.”
Students say…
“When we’re too shy to speak up, Miss Ng shares our ideas with the class, teaching us that every thought is valuable.”
Read more about Miss Ng at Schoolbag.edu.sg“Teach what you love, love who you teach.”
“I switched to teaching Tamil when I realised I could pour more of myself into these lessons.”
“Teaching Tamil blends my identity with professional passion, giving my work deeper
meaning.
I draw from my heritage to build our community, creating an environment where the
language
nurtures and is nurtured.
I want students to experience more than just words on a page. I create immersive
experiences
for them to see, hear, and taste the richness of Tamil language and culture.”
Students say…
“Mrs Bala’s passion for teaching Tamil is inspiring. She comes up with interesting ways for us to learn. Her classes are rarely the same.”
Read more about Mrs Balasubramanian at Schoolbag.edu.sg“Where the world is growing increasingly complicated, school can be a beacon.”
“Our team of educators band together to be a champion for every student.”
“I create programmes to provide all-round support.
Students wanted more one-on-one time with their Form Teachers, so we structured that in
the
timetable. We also created safe spaces for open conversation. Opportunities for
peer-support
were strengthened.”
Students say…
“When I struggled in Geography, Mdm Ang brought the subject to life through real events like volcanic activity in Indonesia, turning my grades around.”
Read more about Mdm Ang at Schoolbag.edu.sg“It’s about the joy of learning, making language-learning fun and engaging.”
“We must help every single student reach their potential and develop a greater capacity to learn.”
“I prefer to let my students experience an idea rather than simply hear about
it.
For a writing assignment on disability, I use props to simulate physical impairments,
like
getting bespectacled students to write without their glasses. Or I would use the four
corners of a classroom, and get students to present four corners of an argument.”
Students say…
“Through Mdm Tong’s one-on-one talks, I’ve grown more confident and gained a better understanding of myself and the world around me.”
Read more about Mdm Toh at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I prepare students for work by introducing agency life and high-energy competitions.”
“When my students collaborate on real-world projects, they reveal their talents.”
“My goal? Preparing students for success beyond the classroom, where attitude meets
aptitude.
Studio-based learning reveals diverse strengths: some students excel in animation,
others in
planning. Together, we realise projects by leveraging these individual
talents.
I also incorporate competitions into the curriculum, boosting students’ confidence and
skills. Wins elevate self-esteem, while peers’ successes motivate others.”
Students say…
“His lessons on perspective really stuck with me, helping me guide my friends who were struggling with visual effects.”
Read more about Mr Leong at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I emphasise the concept of love, respect and ethics in my Artificial Intelligence classes.”
“A respect for self and humankind builds ‘real intelligence’.”
“My students deliver AI ‘with love’.
They see technology as an enabler to solve a problem and to benefit a community.
One student developed a programme to moderate inappropriate content on forums. Another
engineered an alert system that buzzed if users left their tables without clearing their
trays.”
Students say…
“She not only connects classroom theory to real-world applications but also takes a personal interest in our future.”
Read more about Ms Jebaraj at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I enjoy working with students and developing practical applications for them to learn.”
“Through tech, students see that they are capable of contributing to everyone’s lives, including the less fortunate.”
“I find great satisfaction in shaping my students’ mindsets towards emerging
technologies.
Lessons are not so much about imparting technical knowledge, but about enlightening and
empowering learners. This empowerment has a ripple effect. Once learners experience the
benefits of these technologies in their own lives, they soon become advocates, sharing
their
insights and experiences with colleagues and family.”
Students say…
“By observing his interactions with various stakeholders, I developed interpersonal skills that will serve me well in the workforce.”
Read more about Mr Lim at Schoolbag.edu.sg“I developed AI programmes that help develop students’ soft skills.”
“My app helps students to visualise skills that might be difficult to measure.”
“The app maps out qualities that benefit students from different industries. It displays
the
skills in a gamified way.
For example, empathy is key for students in the hospitality industry. They can visualise
their growth through an ’empathy tree’. The bare branches of their tree fill up with
leaves as they progress through their list of tasks and activities.”
Students say…
“Dr Zhang sparks curiosity that extends beyond the classroom, giving us such deep understanding of topics that we’re inspired to keep learning.”
Read more about Dr Zhang at Schoolbag.edu.sg