Jointly presented by The Straits Times and the Speak Good English Movement and supported by the Ministry of Education, the Inspiring Teacher of English Award honours English teachers who have inspired their students and fellow teachers/colleagues in one way or another. Following the success of last year’s inaugural Inspiring Teacher of English Award, a total of 124 teachers were nominated for this year’s award by their students, parents and fellow teachers.
Last year, 9 inspiring English teachers were awarded for their passion and commitment. This year, 10 teachers were chosen to receive the award as the most Inspiring English teachers of 2009.
From left:
1. Mr Arthur Kok – Nan Hua High School
2. Ms Chan May Ling – Clementi Pri Sch
3. Mr Ong Chin Meng – Anderson JC
4. Ms Toh Ji Rong – Greenridge Sec Sch
5. Mr Kelvin Yew – Millennia Institute
6. Mr Alan Johnson – St Joseph’s Institution
7. Mrs Yvonne Cheen-Tay – Hong Kah Sec Sch
8. Ms Foo Soo Ling – Nanyang Girls’ High Sch
9. Mr Adrain Bell – Anderson JC
10. Mdm Jaswinder Khosa – Huamin Pri Sch
Find out more about them at here!
The Inspiring Teacher of English Award ceremony was held at the Pod in the National Library Building at 7pm on 22 October 2009. Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minster of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education graced the ceremony as Guest-of-Honour.
Mr Goh Eck Kheng, Chairman of the Speak Good English Movement, delivered the welcome address. In his speech, Mr Goh announced plans to form an action group of Inspiring Teacher of English Award winners, which aims to tap on their insights and skills. “We want to make it possible for them to share their passion and expertise not only with other teachers, but also to help the Movement inspire, impress and intoxicate then man on the street with good English,” explained Mr Goh, referring to the tagline for this year’s Speak Good English Movement – Impress. Inspire. Intoxicate.
In his congratulatory speech to the award winners, Mr S Iswaran said, “By sharing their expertise and passion and, where necessary, offering their guidance and support, our awardees, and other teachers like them, can develop a truly collegiate spirit towards the development of English. Such camaraderie and commitment will be vital to nurturing a whole school culture of English proficiency and fluency.”
Before the certificates were presented to the nominees, students from Huamin Primary School treated the audience to a vivacious performance. They performed a rap titled “It’s Her”, which was written by the students themselves, in praise of their teacher Mdm Jaswinder Khosa.
3 girls from Nan Hua High School also staged a sketch called “Nan Hua Speaks” – a programme pioneered by Mr Arthur Kok, in hope to bring awareness to the commonly mispronounced English words. The witty exchange between the girls demonstrated the highs and lows of learning English in Singapore.
Nominees from the primary schools
Nominees from the secondary schools and junior colleges
The 10 recipients of the Inspiring Teacher of English Award 2009 were then presented with a trophy each and a personal cash award. Their schools’ principals were also present to share this significant moment with them, accepting a plaque on behalf of their schools.
These 10 winning inspiring teachers went through 2 rounds of selections and an interview before being chosen as the award winners. The panel of judges included English Language Master Teachers from the Ministry of Education, and representatives from The Straits Times, British Council and the Speak Good English Movement.
Mr Peter Hamilton, British Council, receives a token of appreciation.
Ms Laraine Bamrah, British Council, receives a token of appreciation.
Ms Connie Seng, Ministry of Education, receives a token of appreciation.
Mrs Joy Lee, Ministry of Education, receives a token of appreciation.
Mr Philip McConnell, Ministry of Education, receives a token of appreciation.
The English Language Master Teachers from MOE and representatives from British Council received tokens of appreciation at the Inspiring Teacher of English Award ceremony for their tremendous support and great help in the selection of this year’s most inspiring English teachers.
“The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The GREAT teacher INSPIRES.”
– William Arthur Ward
