Mr Rishvinder Singh finds synergy in his work teaching physics and character and citizenship education (CCE) at Changkat Changi Secondary School.
“Science teaches ethics and values such as reasoning, resilience, and empathy,” said the 33-year-old, who leads the Singapore Youth Flying Club as the second-in-charge.
He co-planned the Changkat DroneDash Competition, which helped build students’ STEM knowledge through drone programming while simultaneously honing their project management and public speaking skills.
As the CCE Subject Head, he also hands out affirmation cards and awards that encourage students to think about the ethical and environmental impact of science.
These efforts have not only bolstered his school’s focus on aviation and aerospace, but have also earned Mr Rishvinder the Outstanding Youth in Education Award (OYEA) this year.
Introduced in 1999, the OYEA is a national award that recognises young teachers aged 35 and below for their passion for teaching, enthusiasm, creativity, and active involvement in their students’ holistic development.
Six teachers received the OYEA from Minister of Education Desmond Lee at the National Institute of Education (NIE) Teachers’ Investiture Ceremony on July 1.
In a fast-changing world shaped by geopolitical shifts, AI, climate change and more, the central role of our teachers remains ever constant, Mr Lee noted.
“As teachers, you will help students become confident, self-directed learners. Many of you experienced this from your own teachers, and I am glad that you are now passing on that torch,” the minister added.
Mr Lee then cited Ms Anandakumar Divyanandhini, 26, from the post-graduate diploma (PDGE) Primary programme as an example.
A once-quiet student, Ms Divyanandhini’s talent for the written word was noticed by her English and Literature teachers who encouraged her to write, and nominated her for writing competitions.
“She now creates space for every child to be seen and heard, just as her teachers did for her,” Mr Lee said in his speech.
This year’s OYEA recipients were selected from 11 finalists, which included Mdm D. H. Ayesha Thasneem, 31, the Subject Head for Social Studies at Woodgrove Secondary School.
One of the common misconceptions that Mdm Ayesha hears from her students is that Social Studies is about Singapore’s history – and therefore, boring.
To make the subject more relevant and engaging, she conceptualised two board games for students to play in class.
“Culture Vultures” helps them recognise the impact media and technology can have on local and popular culture, while “Privilege” allows students to take on different identities (based on factors such as race and socio-economic status) and understand the complexities that come with each of them.
“Students can’t choose the cards they are dealt in the game, and that’s similar to how life is. It makes their learning more hands-on, as compared to reading the textbook or writing an essay,” Mdm Ayesha said.
The OYEA finalists were selected by a panel comprising representatives from the Ministry of Education (MOE), NIE, the National Youth Council, and members of COMPASS (COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools).
This year’s award drew a total of 2,965 nominations from schools and members of the public, for over 1,426 teachers from 230 schools.
The six recipients will be fully sponsored to attend an overseas professional learning programme and will share their learning with the education fraternity. They will also each receive a trophy and a certificate. The other finalists will receive a grant of S$1,000 to attend either overseas or local conferences, seminars, or courses.
