Issue No: 1/2010 - MINDS

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Two Outstanding SPED Teachers within MINDS Text by Desiree Lim & Jeanie Morgan On 13 November 2009, three teachers in Singapore received the Outstanding SPecial EDucation (SPED) Teacher Award (OSTA) from the hands of Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education. The OSTAs are given out annually to honour the recipients as outstanding SPED teachers who have demonstrated the passion, commitment, courage and perseverance needed to nurture and inspire our children with special needs. Out of the three award-winning teachers are two of our very own teachers from MINDS SPED schools and they are Mdm Jenny Lim Geok Hong of Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (LGS) and Ms Erni Noorhaidah bte Ahmad of Woodlands Gardens School (WGS). Mdm Lim devoted her entire career life to teaching children with intellectual disability at MINDS. Her commitment to the school and dedication to her pupils was apparent since she first joined MINDS in 1988. Her passion instilled in her a thirst for knowledge and this led to her further achievement of Diploma in Disability Studies on top of her basic degree. Today, Mdm Lim is the vice principal of LGS and is pursuing her Masters degree. Mdm Lim (middle) and Ms Erni (fourth from right) with their colleagues from MINDS at the MOE- NCSS SPED Teacher Award Presentation Ceremony 2009. Ms Erni began her SPED teaching career with MINDS in 1992. She teaches pre-vocation skills to students of senior level. Talented in music and dance, Ms Erni choreographs and teaches her students dance as well. She has also been a regular volunteer for Special Olympics for the past 17 years. On her receipt of the award, Ms Erni said, “This award to me is not an individual win but a collaborative effort from everyone that has touched my life direct or indirectly in this field. It is a win for all special education teachers and a reminder for us to strive even more to enhance the standard of teaching and learning in SPED. With this award, the work of special educators is being recognised and is highly regarded. And hopefully it will attract more people into this field.” A career in teaching children with intellectual disability is a very demanding and tough choice. People who stayed on and become effective educators are few. But those who went further as to make a difference to the children, the school and the industry are rare gems. Here within MINDS, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of two of own gems. To Ms Erni and Mdm Lim, thank you for your hard work all along. You have made us proud. 11 mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people
Our Valedictorians for 2009 Photo by Tan Chuan Mien A total of 119 graduants left the four MINDS SPecial EDucation schools at the end of 2009. The graduation ceremony was held at Spring Singapore on the 14 November 2009, and the Guest of Honour was Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. The two valedictorians were Cassie Goh Jia Jing of Towner Gardens School (TGS) and Brandon Wong of Fernvale Gardens School (FGS). Our Editorial team seeks to know more about them through an email interview. How do you both feel about being selected as the valedictorians for MINDS this year? Cassie: I feel very happy and proud. Brandon: I feel very happy, excited and surprised. What do you think you will miss most about your life as a student? Cassie: I will also miss going to school to learn new skills like Math, reading, dancing and cooking. Brandon: I will miss Mdm Ross, Mrs Chin, Miss Lim, all the activities and my friends. One thing my teachers taught me which I will always remember is ... Cassie: …to be confident about myself and to believe that I can achieve all my dreams. Brandon: …the housecraft lesson because I can cook egg, fry rice and chicken wing. Brandon Wong (left) and Cassie Goh (right) What are your plans for the future? Cassie: I want to get a job and make many new friends at my workplace. I hope that I can find a job that I really like. My dream is to work in an office and to be a good dancer. I want to travel around the world and represent Singapore in dance competitions. Brandon: In future I want to work at Woodlands EDC, I want to earn money to buy clothes. Any other comments that you wish to share with our readers? Cassie: I want to thank all my teachers at TGS for everything they have done for me. Without them, I would not be who I am today. I will miss you all very much. I hope to meet all of you again when I come back to the school to visit you. I hope to keep in touch with all of you through email. Brandon: I want to thank all teachers, Godma, Aunty Doris, and I want to thank GOD. 12
Page 1 and 2: Wild Brother Three Boats Boats at S
Page 3 and 4: Message from the President When the
Page 5 and 6: Sports for the Mind Text and photos
Page 7 and 8: Celebrating Volunteerism Text and p
Page 9 and 10: New MINDS shops Text by Leroy Lee P
Page 11: Quotes ... From Winner and Nominees
Page 15 and 16: Warming the Hearts through Art Text
Page 17 and 18: PAT Programme @ MINDSville Text by
Page 19 and 20: Fast Forward Parents and caregivers

Issue No: 1/2010 - MINDS

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