If you recall our last bulletin , we reflected upon what the Singapore Teachers’ coat of arms would look like if we were to have one. I’m glad to share that we’ve had quite a few responses from our teaching fraternity.

The one that I’m featuring in this issue is conceptualised by Mdm Siti Annazia Hamzani, our Art teacher from Millennia Institute. The mortar board represents teachers as life-long learners who continuously seek new knowledge and skills for the benefit of the students they teach as well as their own personal growth. The owl represents wisdom and its spread wings mirror how teachers contribute to the knowledge reservoir of others, while co-creating new knowledge with students and colleagues alike. The Latin phrase means ‘Knowledge is Power’ while the letters ‘T’ and ‘N’ are initials for Teachers Network.

Another colleague, Ms Brenda Shum, from St Margaret’s Secondary School suggested we have the Singapore Teachers' Vision: Lead. Care. Inspire. as the motto, while a heart would symbolise teachers winning the hearts of our children and a plant would represent teachers nurturing them. Thank you to all who responded to our call for suggestions - we do indeed have talented creators and innovators in our midst!

At the end of the day, we would have to revisit the Desired Outcomes of Education whenever we refer to our roles and purpose as teachers. The DOE are attributes that we as educators aspire for our students. They present a common purpose, direct our policies and programmes, and allow us to self-check our education system. In brief, we want every student to be a confident person; a self-directed learner; an active contributor; and a concerned citizen.