Professional Growth

My professional growth journey has been driven by a commitment to continually improve my teaching and coaching practices so that I can better support students of varying abilities and needs. I strongly believe that effective educators must remain lifelong learners who are open to new ideas, reflective practices, and collaboration.

A key milestone in my teacher-coach journey was taking on the role of Badminton CCA IC in 2021. At that time, the programme was largely recreational with limited structure and no formal coaching support. I did not have any background in badminton, but I recognised the students’ enthusiasm and potential and worked to develop a more structured training framework. With a limited budget, I collaborated with an ActiveSG coach to support approximately 85 students, focusing on strengthening foundational skills such as footwork, serving, and basic shot execution. This experience strengthened my ability to plan progressively and manage a large group with diverse abilities.

To further enhance student learning, I introduced several pedagogical innovations. I developed a Badminton Rule Book to support independent learning and reinforce key technical and tactical concepts. I also explored the use of video analysis as a teaching tool by incorporating their NSG footage for reflection sessions. This helped students better visualise techniques, positioning, and match strategies while developing their ability to analyse their gameplay critically. To further strengthen this process, I also developed a reflection handbook to guide students during peer coaching discussions. The handbook provided prompts and observation points for students to give constructive feedback and reflect on the strengths and areas for improvement for their teammates. This encouraged students to take greater ownership of their team’s learning while fostering communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. The positive impact on student learning encouraged me to further innovate in my coaching methods.

Life Outside Work

Outside of my professional commitments, I enjoy exploring new experiences and continuously learning new skills. I find value in stepping out of my comfort zone, as it allows me to grow both personally and professionally. This mindset of lifelong learning extends beyond the classroom and into different aspects of my life.

I have been involved in volunteering with the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) since 2018, which has given me meaningful opportunities to serve the community while developing discipline, resilience, and teamwork in a different context. These experiences have helped broaden my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for service and collaboration.

21- Day Outward Bound Singapore 

In addition, I completed a 21-day Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) expedition in 2023, where we undertook multi-expeditions involving sailing, hiking and kayaking in Singapore and Perak. It was a transformative experience that challenged me physically and mentally. It reinforced important values such as perseverance, adaptability, and teamwork, while also deepening my self-awareness and leadership skills.

Horse Riding Expedition

More recently, I embarked on a horse-riding expedition in Kyrgyzstan during my holiday. This unique experience pushed me beyond familiar boundaries and allowed me to appreciate different cultures, environments, and ways of life. It also reminded me of the importance of embracing challenges and staying open to new adventures. Through these experiences, I hope to embody and model values such as resilience, humility, curiosity, and perseverance in my interactions with students, so that they too are inspired to approach challenges with confidence, openness, and a growth mindset.