20 Years 20 Stories
Join us as we look back over two decades of supporting and empowering teachers. Every other week in 2025 we will publish on this page a short story of an educator or education researcher who has shaped – or been shaped by – SingTeach. These stories are originally published on SingTeach Instagram so follow along and relive these moments with us!
From the Dean’s Desk: Honouring 20 Years of SingTeach
Professor Kenneth Poon (Dean, Office for Reseach, National Institute of Education)
“Teachers are active changemakers within education. Through research, teachers are empowered and inspired to innovate. Having been a long-time supporter of SingTeach, I see this magazine as a vital platform for connecting educators with research that enhances their teaching practices. As we celebrate 20 years of bridging research and practice through SingTeach, I hope to see deeper collaboration between researchers and teachers in Singapore, co-creating solutions that shape the next generation. It is through this collaboration that we will build a more dynamic, adaptable education system for the future. Together, we can ensure that education continues to evolve in ways that truly meet the needs of all learners.
As we embark on this 20-story journey, I trust that the stories shared will inspire and challenge educators to continue growing and innovating in their classrooms.
Happy 20th Anniversary, SingTeach!”
Professor Kenneth Poon, Dean of the Office for Research at NIE, strongly believes in the transformative power of education research. As such, he works with his team to translate research into actionable insights for teachers and in so doing, bridge the gap between research and practice. Beyond his role as Dean, Professor Poon leads DREAMS, a commissioned study by MOE, tracking the development of over adolescents through secondary schools.
Professor Poon guest-edited SingTeach Issue 70 "Transition in the Early Years" and Issue 41 "Supporting Special Needs".
Driving Research, Shaping Policy and Practice
Dr Dennis Kwek (Centre Director, Centre for Research in Pedaogogy and Practice, National Institute of Education)
“SingTeach is more than just a publication – it’s a bridge between rigorous research and real-world classrooms. I’ve always believed in its mission of bringing evidence-based practices to teachers in a way that’s practical and meaningul to apply.”
I recalled a moment early in my early career when I worked closely with teachers to co-create classroom strategies informed by research. It was in those discussions that I saw how powerful research could be when it’s shared with teachers in impactful ways. SingTeach embodies this philosophy, offering teachers the tools and insights to innovate and make a difference in their classrooms.
Through the NIE flagship CORE research study, my team and I continue to uncover critical insights into Singapore’s educational landscape, from pedagogies to student engagement. I believe the real value of such research lies in its ability to empower educators.
As SingTeach celebrates its 20th anniversary, I look forward to strengthening collaborations with educators. Together, we can ensure that every piece of research translates into real, actionable change that benefits our students and shapes the future of education in Singapore.”
Dr Dennis Kwek, Associate Dean of Strategic Engagement at NIE's Office for Research, has long been a champion of bridging the worlds of research and practice. As Centre Director of the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice (CRPP) and lead investigator of NIE’s flagship pedagogical study, CORE, his work examines the intricacies of classroom teaching and learning to uncover what truly works for policymakers, educators and students.
Dennis guest-edited SingTeach Issue 75 "Lessons from a Pandemic: What Have We Learnt?" and Issue 65 "The Heart of Classroom Pedagogies".
A Constant Companion: Teaching and Learning with SingTeach
Mr Melvin Chan (Lead Teacher, History, Chua Chu Kang Secondary School)
"Congrats, SingTeach, for reaching a significant milestone in your 20 years of continuous pursuit in imparting knowledge, illuminating practices and inspiring the fraternity! Thank you for being my constant learning compass and accompanying companion throughout my teaching journey. 
My colleagues and I are always looking forward to reading the latest articles and amazing write ups in the quarterly SingTeach issues, where the learning and acquisition of established, promising and innovative instructional practices is creatively, critically and concisely presented in a manner that is:
Simple to understand
Inquisitive in nature
Novelty in engagement
Generative in thoughts
Thorough in description
Ease in comprehension
Authentic in orientation
Concrete in application
Humanistic in practice
With the rapid changes and shifts in the educational landscape, SingTeach art of bringing and bridging the research-practitioner nexus within its reach, in a timely and accessible manner, becomes even more precious, valuable and cherished by the teaching fraternity. Thank you for continuing to be our source of information, instruction and inspiration in discovering, deepening and developing our pedagogical and curriculum innovations for a future-ready learning environment.
Happy 20th Anniversary SingTeach!"
Melvin Chan is Lead Teacher (History) at Chua Chu Kang Secondary School and is a prominent leader and co-founder of the Knowledge Building Community in Singapore. He has written and presented at numerous educational conferences on his practitioner papers that ranges from pedagogical practices in history to structures and processes in professional development.
Melvin was featured in an article in SingTeach Issue 90 titled "Beyond Memorization: Implementing Progressive Approaches in the History Classroom". He also contributed an article in Virtual Staff Lounge in Oct 2022 titled "Empowering Learners to be Future-Ready".
From Brain to Classroom: The Science of Learning
"For two decades, SingTeach has served as a crucial bridge between research and classroom practice, empowering educators with insights that enhance their teaching. As an advocate for translating research into meaningful learning experiences, I deeply appreciate SingTeach’s commitment to fostering dialogue between researchers and educators.
The launch of the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC) marked a pivotal moment in integrating neuroscience and education research. At that time, SingTeach played a critical role in amplifying this momentum by dedicating a special issue to the Science of Learning in Education, catalyzing conversations among educators, researchers and policymakers. It felt like a big bang moment – a bold step toward making the Science of Learning more accessible and actionable in classrooms.
As Guest Editor for this landmark issue (SingTeach issue 76), I was honored to work alongside trailblazing teachers and researchers who are pushing the boundaries of how we understand learning. SingTeach not only highlighted cutting-edge research but also showcased educators who translated neuroscience insights into real-world teaching practices. Their stories were a testament to how research and practice can co-evolve, shaping the future of education.
Looking back, SingTeach’s commitment to bridging research and practice has been instrumental in sustaining this dialogue. Congratulations on 20 years of impact—here’s to many more years of innovation in learning!"
Asst Prof Azilawati Jamaludin is Assistant Centre Director of NIE's Science of Learning in Education Centre. Her research spans the Science and Technology of Learning, Digital Game-Based Learning, Neuroprotective Learning Spaces, Educational Innovation, and Impact. In March 2021, she guest-edited SingTeach Issue 76 "Science of Learning in Education".