Awards and Accolades

President’s Award for Teachers 2023

Established in 1998, the President's Award for Teachers recognises outstanding educators for their dedication and hard work in nurturing our young. This year, two teachers from our Knowledge Building community have attained the award.

We will like to congratulate Mr Melvin Chan (History Senior Teacher, Chua Chu Kang Secondary School) for being one of the eight teachers to receive the prestigious honours with the President’s Award for teachers 2023 in affirmation of his dedication and excellence in teaching.

Mr Melvin Chan has consistently demonstrated his dedication and commitment to his work. His achievements exemplify the outstanding qualities that we value in our community. Being a prominent member and co-founder of the Knowledge Building community in Singapore, he has been inspiring the teachers that he meets and continues to do so. In his own words, “Community starts with the classroom but it cannot end there. We needed a network where we can come to learn together and for schools to connect.” His efforts will serve as a beacon for the teaching fraternity. We look forward to witnessing his future accomplishments and celebrating his ongoing achievements.

His story is shown below. Once again, congratulations to Mr Melvin Chan on this well-deserved recognition.

https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/the-ideas-never-stop-coming-until-the-bell-rings-how-one-teacher-makes-history-this-riveting

We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Ms Chen Siyun (HOD ICT, Fairfield Methodist Primary School), an exceptional educator who has recently been recognised for her outstanding contributions and innovative practices in the field of education. It is no easy feat to be one of the eight teachers to receive the prestigious honours of the President’s Award for teachers 2023.

Harnessing the power of technology, Ms Chen Siyun has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have breathed new life into classrooms. Being an advocate of Knowledge Building, she had infused knowledge building scaffolds into an AI chatbot in her school through her recent collaboration with NIE. By seamlessly integrating digital tools and platforms with the Knowledge Building pedagogy, she has opened the doors to potential opportunities for the community.

Her story can be found below. Congratulations once again for the great accomplishment!

https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/she-buddies-up-with-ai-to-cultivate-emotional-and-cyber-wellness

Leading Foundation Teacher Award 2021

Congratulations to Sulochanah Kanapathy!

Teacher Sulo is our Knowledge Building teacher from Sarada Kindergarten, who has been awarded the Leading Foundation Teacher Award 2021 for Early Childhood and Special Needs Education. This award recognises passionate teachers who have significantly contributed to making a difference in their students’ lives.

Teacher Sulo has actively engaged her students in KB pedagogy for the last three years. By providing students with ample opportunities to share their ideas, her students have gained confidence in sharing and working on their diverse ideas. Teacher Sulo’s facilitation has also allowed her students to become more aware of their own learning process.

Congratulations once again as we continue working together to cultivate a KB environment for preschoolers. Here are Teacher Sulo’s reflections upon receiving the Award:

After receiving the Leading Teacher Foundation Award by the NIE for Knowledge Building practice, I thought it will be good to look back and reflect on the journey I have taken to receive this prestigious award. I feel enormously proud for receiving this award. This feeling will always be treasured throughout my life. It's just wonderful to be recognised for the efforts and milestones I have put in my teaching profession.  I now feel more recognised in the community and I feel a sense of worth that has strengthened my professionalism. It has enriched my career that evidences my enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to Knowledge Building practices. Winning this award has inspired me to continue my enthusiasm and move forward with my efforts that will hopefully bring further possibilities throughout my career. Winning this award had given me the confidence to move forward and share my Knowledge Building practices confidently to my fellow colleagues.

As I recall back 3 years ago, I was introduced to the Knowledge Building approach. With the guidance of Dr Chew Lee and her team, I was able to gradually apply this approach confidently during my class projects. Failures are stepping stones for success, there were many times I did fail to find the ‘Big Idea’ during my class theme. However, my perseverance and the determination given by Dr Chew Lee and her team has always got me on my feet. The biggest challenge I encountered during the KB practices was when I have to sustain the KB discussions with the 5- to 6-year-olds. Getting them to ask questions and build on their peers’ questions is not an easy task. I have to be on my feet to find innovative and creative ways to sustain their attention. However, after a few rounds of embarking on the KB approach I became more confident and was able to prompt the children to actively participate during the KB talks.

The biggest satisfaction as a preschool teacher is when I see my children gradually becoming open to ideas and discussions. Even a reserved child was able to open up after at least two cycles of KB approach in the class. Children became constructors of their own knowledge. They designed their own projects and suggested ideas to explore different ways to find answers to their own project questions. Importantly, children respected each other’s ideas and politely debated if their ideas were different from their peers.  I also could see my classroom transform into a KB classroom whereby children’s work was filled around the class. Gradually each of the children’s self esteem grew and they felt good about their own achievements.

When I shared the Learning Journey of the kids to their parents many a times, they were surprised to see the progress in their children. They also shared that their children had come back home to ask them for answers to a certain question during the project. This has helped me to close the gap between the school and home. Parents had become part of their children’s learning.

Moving forward, I would like to challenge myself to find ways in getting the children to concurrently work not only on one big idea but addressing a few ideas that will lead to a vast learning on a particular project. Apart from improving their ideas I would like to think how I can get my children to think of diverse Ideas and Rise-Above Ideas which can lead to higher order thinking skills.  

Outstanding Knowledge Building Designer Award 2019

The Outstanding KB School Award (Singapore) 2019 is an award that recognises and applauds Singapore’s schools that have been strong supporters, advocators and champions in the advancement of the Knowledge Building pedagogical practices and/or its educational research. This award is jointly supported by the Learning Sciences and Innovation Research Programme, NIE and KB Community Singapore.

Outstanding KB Designer In Education Award 2019

The Outstanding KB Designer in Education Award 2019 is an award that recognises exceptional Knowledge Building practitioners in their design of innovative idea-centric classroom practices and their active involvement in building a culture of future-ready collaborative youths. This award is organised by the Learning Sciences and Innovation Research Programme in OER, NIE NTU and KB Community Singapore.

All nomination form can be submitted to Dr Teo Chew Lee via email (chewlee.teo@nie.edu.sg) by 10th Nov 2019. The Award winner will be announced at the KB Design Studio 2019.

Contact

Dr. Teo Chew Lee, Senior Research Scientist, Programme Director (LSI)

OER, NIE, NTU Singapore

 chewlee.teo@nie.edu.sg, Tel: 67903349