EduDrama Department

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Teaching Studies and Drama, St Mary’s University College, UK, 1997 • Speech Communication Arts Primary Teaching Certificate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, 2004

I started teaching in a British primary school after finishing university and was class teacher to many lively 7 to 11 year olds for the following four years, taking responsibility for various subject areas including computer technology and drama. I had the opportunity to direct and choreograph a number of productions, including Joseph’s Technicolour Dreamcoat and Pirates of Penzance. I have also taught secondary age children and, briefly, before coming to Singapore I ran my own business as a freelance drama teacher. Enjoyable, but hard work!

The theatre has always been a passion of mine, whether it be onstage, backstage or in the audience, and continues to be so, although it’s a while since I was last seen ‘treading the boards’.

I love reading, both literature for children and adults, especially beautifully illustrated books.
I am currently working on a performance diploma offered by LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) to encompass both my love of reading and theatre.

My parents always labeled me as the ‘bossy one’ in the family from the time I used to choreograph dance shows and fashion shoots for my younger sisters to perform before visiting friends and relatives.

Throughout my youth I assisted my drama tutor with her classes, and I guess she had a great deal of influence over me! So, with aptitude for bossiness and a love of theatre, the most obvious career path for me became that of a drama teacher!

• Teacher • M Ed (Early Childhood), Queensland University of Technology, 2005 • Julia Gabriel Teaching Cert (Speech and Drama), 2005 • Bachelor in Human Behaviour Technology (Clinical Psychology), Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 1989

I have been a preschool educator since 1990, working with children between 18 months to 7 years old. Because of my love for the arts, I have handled clubs and activities in this line. I have been involved in putting on school plays and performances. My greatest achievement was a musical play, The Wizard of Oz that I organized for an English club.

I have two wonderful children, Celine and Ryan. They have been the source of my joy since I married my equally wonderful husband Alfred in 1998.

Aside from teaching and the arts, I am also a fan of psychology. I like to keep abreast of the latest research and findings in human behaviour. I’m a book collector, mostly of non-fiction. I consider reading a good book an inexpensive holiday treat.

There’s nothing like witnessing a child’s face light up when he/she discovers his/her own competence for the very first time. Making a mark in someone else’s life comes with great responsibility. I believe that my biggest reward as a teacher is being able to touch lives — hoping that my effort will help each of my students develop into a man/woman of character. It is said that if you want to be remembered, you may want to plant a tree, write a book or procreate. I believe that as teachers we can do all of these for teachers truly leave the most important mark in the world. I hope that as a teacher, I leave behind little good marks along the way.

• Teacher, EduDrama • Bachelor of Arts (Drama) from Queensland University of Technology • Julia Gabriel Teaching Certificate (Speech and Drama)

I joined Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts Singapore on the BA Drama course in 1995 and began teaching in 1996 as a part-time speech and drama teacher in Canossian Convent and Marymount Convent. That was the beginning and the start of a new and exciting career — to mould young people, to lead and to change attitudes. This opportunity demanded honesty, care and most of all, love. I’ve learnt a lot from children. Their laughter made me smile from within and my soul awoke. I have been teaching through drama ever since.

My interests include backpacking, preferably to non-tourist destinations, to discover culture, meet people and laugh at the humour each country has to offer. What I’m attracted to is smiling faces of people amid their hardships.

• Diploma in Early Childhood by Modern Montessori International, 2002 • Speech Communication Arts Primary Teaching Certificate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama London, 2004

I’ve been an early childhood teacher since 2000. My interaction with children (especially with my daughter, now age 8) sparked my interest in Speech and Drama, which I studied at Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning in 2004. I am currently a Nursery 1 teacher at Chiltern House where I thoroughly enjoy working with our youngest students and their families, and also teach EduDrama classes at JGCL on Saturdays.

My daughter has been the source of my passion in teaching. She has been a joy and has helped me to learn again! Another passion of mine is animals. We have two cats (we used to have five!) and a rabbit. We hope to adopt another rabbit soon but let’s see what daddy thinks first!

•Teacher • Julia Gabriel Teaching Certificate (Speech and Drama), 2004 • Certificate in Education – General (English) in 1970

I was a primary school teacher for more than 25 years where I had to put up choral presentations, sketches and plays and to be the presenter for various activities in school. As an English teacher, I had to encourage my pupils to read avidly to widen their knowledge and vocabulary and to write detailed and interesting accounts by using descriptive words and developing their ideas more thoroughly. I was absolutely thrilled when I was able to do all this through EduDrama at the Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning. Reading opens our hearts and minds and I love it immensely. I love singing too and am a member of the Seraphim choir in the Holy Trinity Church. Dancing and traveling are other activities I enjoy tremendously.