How to WIN
at teaching
Our OYEA finalists and recipients reveal their favourite item in their inventory.
2 Jan 2025
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Hold up… What’s OYEA?
It stands for Outstanding Youth in Education Award, a national award that recognises young teachers for their…
1
Enthusiasm
2
Youthful idealism
3
Ability to inspire students and their peers
OYEA teachers’ power-ups
Pick one to start!

A little pick-me-up for when life gets you down.

The journey’s long, some nifty gadgets could help.

Objects bestowed with sparkly mystical power.

HEALTH BOOST
HANDY TOOLS
MAGIC ITEMS
Mr Edwin Lim
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Empowerment Elixir
“This gives students a confidence boost, to believe they can overcome anything they set their minds to.”
Dazhong Primary School
Teacher
English, Math, Social Studies
Ms Kua Li En
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Healing Heart
“The heart soothes students so they’re emotionally and mentally ready to learn.”
Alexandra Primary School
Teacher
English, Math, Social Studies, CCE
Mr Andrea Ang
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Teleportal
“I’d teleport my students anywhere in the world to learn Geography – for now, I do that with virtual reality.”
Compassvale Secondary School
Subject Head (Geography)
Geography
Mr Edwin Ong
OYEA 2024
Recipient
Power-up item:
Magic Megaphone
“It gives students the courage to speak up, even when it’s hard to do so. What they say matters, even if they don’t say it perfectly.”
St. Anthony’s Primary School
HOD (English Language)
English
Ms Amirinazeb
D/O Aurangzeb
OYEA 2024
Recipient
Power-up item:
Compass
“The compass helps me guide my students to find their true north, no matter their circumstances.”
CHIJ Kellock
Subject Head (Ed Tech)
English, Science
Ms Priscilla Chia
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Magic Glasses
“I would put the magic glasses on my students so they can see the best in themselves
and others.”
Hwa Chong Institution
Chemistry Teacher
Chemistry
Ms Charlene Tan
OYEA 2024
Recipient
Power-up item:
Talking Leaf
“The leaf would tell students stories of the beauty of nature.”
St. Andrew’s Secondary School
Subject Head (Science)
Science
Mr Jerome Lim
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Magic Quill
“With this magic quill, students would be braver and dare to play ‘The Fool’.”
Whitley Secondary School
Subject Head (Acting), Literature
English Literature
Ms Tsering Choden
OYEA 2024
Finalist
Power-up item:
Magic Wand
“Everyone has a creative instinct; this magic wand brings students to a realm where they can discover that.”
Yuanching Secondary School
Subject Head (ICT)
Art
Ms Sheena Ng
OYEA 2024
Recipient
Power-up item:
Guiding Sceptre
“This sceptre helps students see that learning is about building a life they’re passionate about.”
Nan Hua High School
Subject Head (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Mr Joel Lee
OYEA 2024
Recipient
Power-up item:
Winged Boots
“I believe in empowering every student to soar in their own way. These boots would help!”
Riverside Secondary School
Teacher
Social Studies

For more interactive stories,
visit Schoolbag.edu.sg

What’s his teaching ‘win’?
“When my students start to see that success is within their reach.
They may feel helpless and give up when they meet with a setback. I find great satisfaction in equipping them with the skills to learn on their own.”
– Mr Edwin Lim
Mr Edwin Lim
He guides students to develop environmentally sustainable solutions.
Read more about
Mr Lim on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“When my students feel supported enough to enjoy learning.
I think everyone needs to be in the right mental and emotional headspace to take in new information. It’s a ‘win’ to me when I can support my students to get there.”
– Ms Kua Li En
Ms Kua Li En
A big part of the Maths equation for her students’ success is: Providing a listening ear.
Read more about
Ms Kua on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s his teaching ‘win’?
“When learning comes alive in my classes.
I design lessons for my students to gather and make sense of real-world data – like how Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour affected Singapore – because this lets them see how Geography is applicable to their lives.”
– Mr Andrea Ang
Mr Andrea Ang
By planning interesting field trips and using technology, he helps students relate better to what they are learning.
Read more about
Mr Ang on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s his teaching ‘win’?
“When students dare to step out of their comfort zone.
I use ‘talk moves’ liberally in class – a card game for students to learn communication techniques to build on or challenge an idea. Discussions can get intense, but this approach fosters a culture of respect, open-mindedness, and collaboration.”
– Mr Edwin Ong
Mr Edwin Ong
He brings out his students’ unique voice and their ability to debate and disagree in respectful ways.
Read more about
Mr Ong on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“Seeing smiles light up my students’ faces.
They tell me that understanding has dawned, and signal a sense of confidence and joy in learning. My goal is to use e-Pedagogy to get more of these smiles out of my students.”
– Ms Amirinazeb D/O Aurangzeb
Ms Amirinazeb D/O Aurangzeb
Tech in teaching isn’t just about iPads and robots; she uses it for more customised teaching.
Read more about
Ms Amirinazeb on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“When students see there’s more to life than good grades.
I’ve seen students feeling crushed when their hard work doesn’t seem to pay off. So I incorporate positive and reflective prompts – like ‘What did I do right?’ and ‘What do I need to do to improve?’ – in my classes…so they can learn from both their successes and failures.”
– Ms Priscilla Chia
Ms Priscilla Chia
She embeds opportunities to learn compassion and gratitude in her classroom experiences.
Read more about
Ms Chia on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“When students don’t ask ‘Will this be tested in exam?’ as much anymore.
It tells me they care about what they’re learning more than mugging for a test. I feel this especially in my work developing the school’s Green Envoys – a group initiated by six Secondary 1 boys to do more for the environment as a school.”
– Ms Charlene Tan
Ms Charlene Tan
She teaches the Science of getting students to care for society.
Read more about
Ms Tan on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s his teaching ‘win’?
“When my students dare to be The Fool.
In Shakespeare’s works, this refers to characters who may seem silly but surface thought-provoking questions. I especially enjoy lessons where students share their considered views freely, even at the risk of looking ‘silly’.”
– Mr Jerome Lim
Mr Jerome Lim
He gets students to speak up, embrace the creative process, and not fear getting the answers wrong.
Read more about
Mr Lim on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“Being able to excite my students about art.
I believe everyone can be artistic with the right tools and mindset. And I love helping our students see how creativity can be applied for good in the world.”
– Ms Tsering Choden
Ms Tsering Choden
She brings out her students’ confidence in their artistic abilities.
Read more about
Ms Tsering on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s her teaching ‘win’?
“When students see learning as a key to fulfilling a dream.
Studying well then becomes a way to equip oneself with the skills needed to achieve their dream job. It helps to add some drama to Chemistry lessons too, like designing an escape room exercise where students pretend to be chemists in the Water Quality Department at PUB.”
– Ms Sheena Ng
Ms Sheena Ng
She struggled with Chemistry as a student. Now, she turns her past challenges into fuel for teaching.
Read more about
Ms Ng on
Schoolbag.edu.sg
What’s his teaching ‘win’?
“Being able to remove hurdles to success for my students.
Students have an innate desire to do their loved ones proud. But some may have obstacles hindering them from doing so. When I help my students achieve their personal goals, and develop their moral compass in the process, that’s true success to me.”
– Mr Joel Lee
Mr Joel Lee
He doesn’t just tell his students about society, he shows them their potential to shape it.
Read more about
Mr Lee on
Schoolbag.edu.sg