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Steering teachers in the Teach Less, Learn More (TLLM) landscape, Senior Teachers have much to provide in terms of perspectives and curricular knowledge.
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| STs and aspiring STs were treated to a range of exciting fringe activities, including a display of self-created games and resources to support the learning of the Malay language. |
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By sheer coincidence, the word ‘steering’ begins with the letters S and T which together, form the acronym for Senior Teacher. (Check out The East Zone ST Symposium Logo) Indeed, the ST (Senior Teacher) is a beacon to teachers in the TLLM landscape as one who has broad perspectives and deep knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment; one who has attained valuable experience and much wisdom in the teaching profession; one who continues to thrive as an outstanding instructional leader.
Addressing a gathering of 160 STs and aspiring STs at the East Zone ST Symposium, Mr Gan Chin Huat (Deputy Director, Schools East) celebrated the roles he saw STs playing in the TLLM landscape—as inspiring guru, innovation activist and mentor. These were roles that should not be seen in silos, he emphasised, but roles that interacted with one another meaningfully. He urged STs to sustain their passion, continually broaden their perspectives and deepen their content knowledge to engage pupils; and push the pedagogical frontiers through action research; while nurturing and encouraging others in the teaching fraternity to move in the same direction.
At the same time, he commented on the number of STs who came forward voluntarily to share their teaching practices, “(This) reflects a zeal that is admirable (and) is a clear witness of the true spirit of ST-ship—the humility to recognise the need to learn from each other and the acknowledgment of the power of building on shared knowledge and wisdom.”
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| It’s back to the classroom for these teacher participants at the ‘TLLM with the Brain in Mind’ session led by the Temasek Junior College Senior Teacher Council. |
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Winds of Change
In his keynote address, Mr Gan cites the title of Senior Teacher as one who has much experience to share. “This is certainly important if we want to build a quality teaching service,” he stresses. “It’s only from learning through sharing, and building on that learning to create new knowledge, that the entire service would progress.”
To support STs in their sharing role, they must be given favourable ‘winds’, the unfailing support to learn and grow with fellow practitioners. The most favourable winds would be determined by the STs themselves. It was with this principle in mind that the East Zone set up a Committee of STs to design learning for their fellow STs in East Zone schools.
“As I set sail on a journey as a Senior Teacher,” relates Ms Fazidah Abu Bakar, ST at Changkat Changi Sec Sch, “it’s very heart warming to note that I’m not alone. I realise there is a wonderful ‘crew’ that is willing to collaborate to ensure that the ‘ship’ will be able to withstand the ‘choppy waters’ and that the ‘ship’ will continue to sail into a brighter future.”
Back to School
The concept of ‘by STs for STs’ was fully played out in the East Zone ST Symposium. The inspiring keynote address by Mr Gan flagged off twelve concurrent sessions by East Zone STs, covering pedagogies and learning experiences in different subjects and for educational levels. Participants were back in the classroom as learners, taking in the craft wisdom and experience generously shared by their fellow STs.
Mdm Hah Lee Wha, an ST from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ Sch (Pri) is glad for the chance to coach and lead fellow colleagues “in developing their pedagogical skills and content knowledge so that they too become self-directed learners excited about the education of our young.” She says, “I will continue to not only inspire my pupils but also grow professionally so that my contribution is always relevant and current to the moulding of the future of our nation.”
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| Mrs Nora Teo (right) and Ms Jeyalaxmy, conducting a sharing session on the life of a Master Teacher at a concurrent session |
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STs and aspiring STs were treated to the reading of poems that reconnected them to the heart of teaching and the pupils whose needs they serve. (See An Inspiring Poem for Teachers) Fringe activities included a Read@TN mobile library to promote a culture of reading and reflection and a display of self-made teaching resources by a Master Teacher, modelling the potential of the human mind and heart to create and innovate. There were also various stalls promoting healthy living. Conversations with two Master Teachers helped participants gain insights into the life and work of a Master Teacher, thus fuelling their aspiration to similarly reach for the pinnacle of the Teaching track.
At the end of the East Zone ST Symposium, participants reflected on their roles as STs, how the day had touched their hearts and engaged their minds, and the one thing they would do as an ST. This ‘end’ marked a beginning—the launch of a new voyage as a community of East Zone Senior Teachers, captains who would raise the sails of their ships one foot to catch ten feet of wind on the TLLM high seas!
The logo was designed by Mr Alan Varella, Senior Teacher, Temasek Junior
College. The steering wheel within the 'ST' in the word 'STeering' depicts the stewardship role the ST plays in the TLLM landscape.
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“If” for Teachers
~ Anonymous ~
If you can see your students
as diamonds in the rough
Inspiring to do their best
and not just good enough
If you can open doorways
light sparks and keep them glowing
And see the love for learning
as seeds that you are sowing
If you can keep on caring
and remember why you teach
You’ll give your students wings to fly
and show them stars to reach |
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