Getting to know your new teachers - Miss Magdelene Sng

In the new school year, a batch of new teachers have entered SST and be part of the SST family. However, what are their thoughts about us? 
So here is an interview segment with two of our new teachers, Mr Yeo and Miss Sng. 


Miss Magdelene Sng has joined SST as an English Language teacher. Her hobbies includes running, rollerblading and surfing the net. She enjoys having a chat over a cup of coffee with her friends.


Q: What is your opinion of SST students compared to other previous(if any) school's students?


Ms Sng: Students here are definitely more tech-savvy. They are also more well-behaved and innocent and there is not as much discipline cases as the schools I have seen previously. However, I find that students are not as resilient as many of them are sheltered heavily.


Q: What made you join teaching as your career?


Ms Sng: Before I came to teach, I spent a lot of time working in the corporate sector and there was once I have to rush a project overnight and went to sleep at 8 in the morning yet I have to get back at 12 noon. It was a lot of time spent and I might as well spend the same time on living things(human beings) like teaching. It's more meaningful that way.


Q: How do you feel about being in a new school with a different kind of learning experience?

Ms Sng: It feels too good to be true! I knew that I have a lot to learn here and has been eagerly attending loads of workshops.


Q:  Has SST students impacted you in any way? Please share your experience(s).


Ms Sng: I feel motivated to teach again, and students here really want to learn and are willing to give more. I feel passionate about teaching again.

Ms Sng currently has a Degree in English Language and Socialogy. She has also completed NIE training.

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Getting to know your new teachers - Mr Teoh

Mr Teoh is one of the new teachers that had recently joined the SST family. He teaches Chemistry. Before coming to SST, he has done research work. 

So here's more about him!


Q: Can you do a brief introduction about yourself?

Mr Teoh: I graduated from NUS Department of Chemistry and did my research paper in NUS as well as in Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands. 


Q: What do you like to do during your free time?

Mr Teoh: I read, played badminton and watch movies during my free time. I enjoyed traveling and exploring new places.

Q:What makes you want to teach in SST?

Mr Teoh: The reason I chose SST was because of the new environment. A new way of teaching and learning, the classroom size, the students, and of course the new campus makes it all exciting to be in. It is always a privilege and an honor to be one of the teachers in a new school. I can experience the transformation which takes place and it is really dynamic. 

Q: What's the difference between teaching in SST and in your previous school?

Mr Teoh: I enjoy the different way of teaching and learning, the classroom size as well as the students.

Q: What was your first impression of SST students?

Mr Teoh: They are very polite. 

Q: What do you think about the enormous new campus?

Mr Teoh: The new campus is very impressive. There are a lot of facilities which the community can tap such as the huge Indoor Sports Hall, the Lecture Theatre, Auditorium and the Science Labs. It is also very tiring to move in such a huge campus. =) 

Q: Do you think students having the learning device would make them learn better?

Mr Teoh: Not necessarily. 

With learning devices and internet, the whole learning experience had changed. Teachers are no longer the only person who provides the students with information. The internet such as google, wikipedia, yahoo answer, blogs and youtube are platforms where students search for more information. And if the students just take the time to read a little more, they will be "smarter" than the teachers in term of information.

On the other side, this also makes the student a "reluctant thinker". They expect to know the answer immediately and no longer think or organize their thoughts in an orderly manner. Information is everywhere. This is where the teacher comes in to "facilitate the learning and thinking". 

However, the learning device has help tremendously in the daily teaching and learning. But learning devices do not necessarily make the students a better learner. 

Q: How has your teaching experience been so far in SST?

Mr Teoh: So far, my teaching experience in SST has been positive. I have more attention for my students and they are "closer" to me thanks to the classroom size and Facebook. The school has really made an effort to forge a strong relationship between teacher and students. 

Q: Is there any particular student or class that has left a deep impression?

Mr Teoh: Not at the moment. I'm still getting to know my students better. In general, most of the students are wonderful. 

Q: What’s your new year resolution for your classes or personally?

Mr Teoh: My new year resolution is to read more, learn more, and relax more.

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Getting to know your new teachers - Mr Thomas Yeo

In the new school year, a batch of new teachers have entered SST and be part of the SST family. However, what are their thoughts about us? 
So here is an interview segment with two of our new teachers, Mr Yeo and Miss Sng. 


Mr Thomas Yeo has joined the SST family as a math teacher and is also a teacher mentor for Media Club CCA. He has taught perviously in schools like Woodlands Secondary. He plays computer games(PS3 and Xbox) and board games in his free time.

Q: How do you find SST so far?


Mr Yeo: I find it fun. Students here are very vocal and like to ask a lot of questions. I have realised I knew so little compared to the students and I'm still learning from them. They have impacted me positvely.


Q:  What made you decide to come to SST/teach students?


Mr Yeo: I was attracted to the tech-savvy environment like the learning devices as I am a tech-savvy person myself so I like to use technology to teach.


Q: As a teacher, what are your qualifications?


Mr Yeo: I have a degree in Computer Engineering and also a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education.


Q: What kind of qualities do you want to find in students?

Mr Yeo: I feel that students must be able to be willing to learn and willing to try. They also have to put in effort in whatever they do.


Mr Yeo has also claimed himself as a shopaholic and have more clothes and shoes than his wife!

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