Behind every engaging classroom experience that captivates students lies a carefully crafted lesson which takes meticulous planning.
Mohamed Farhan Abdul Latiff recalls how complex biology concepts were broken down into digestible lessons when he was a student at Dunman Secondary School.
It was only years later, when he stepped in front of a classroom himself, that he finally understood his teacher’s seemingly effortless approach was actually built on hours of planning and years of experience.
Referring to his science teacher Mdm Nur Diyana Sulaiman, he says: “She had this knack for breaking down complex ideas using analogies and hands-on experiments in the lab. She made biology so simple and relatable, making it less daunting for me.”
Farhan only realised the challenges of preparing engaging lessons while juggling teaching responsibilities when he was training to be an educator.
So, when he was offered a posting with the Ministry of Education (MOE) at the Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST) in 2023, Farhan eagerly accepted it. As an academy officer overseeing professional development, Farhan saw it as an opportunity to support and uplift Singapore’s educators.
His mission was to create materials to help teachers cultivate the skills and mindset needed to promote mental well-being for themselves and their colleagues. By getting teachers to prioritise their own well-being, they can foster happier classrooms where students thrive.
Developed over four months, the materials were shaped by valuable insights Farhan and his team gathered through conversations with educators. These discussions helped them understand and address the current challenges teachers face.
The materials offer practical tips such as stress-relief exercises for busy periods, strategies to process emotions after a long day, and ways to support colleagues who may be feeling overwhelmed.
“Over the years, I have learnt to manage feeling overwhelmed during stressful situations and help other teachers do the same.”
– Mohamed Farhan Abdul Latiff, recipient of the MOE Education Merit Scholarship
Available on the MOE intranet and shared with schools, the materials are presented in bite-sized formats, making it easier for time-strapped teachers to make use of them. Farhan also actively shares them with his teacher friends, not just to “sell koyok” (sales talk) but to gather honest feedback.
“I am glad to say many of them find it useful and they do share the materials with colleagues in their schools,” says the 29-year-old.
“I take that as a good sign that we are doing something right.”
Inspired by Mdm Diyana, Farhan developed an interest in teaching, which led him to apply for the MOE Education Merit Scholarship in his second year at Temasek Junior College.
Even though he had initially applied for a local scholarship, Farhan was granted the opportunity to pursue a bachelor of science at Imperial College London in Britain.
It was a life-changing experience that marked Farhan’s first time flying and travelling overseas.
“It felt like I had been given a golden ticket to Charlie’s Chocolate Factory,” he recalls. “I remember the mix of excitement, anticipation and a hint of fear of the unknown as I headed alone to the boarding gate.”
Eager to make the most of his time in London, Farhan took a Spanish class and went on solo budget trips to places like Berlin and Croatia, immersing himself in new cultures and experiences.
This year, Farhan is back in the classroom as a biology teacher at Holy Innocents’ High School.
Like Mdm Diyana, he hopes to make science come alive for his students. But the well-being of educators will continue to remain a priority for Farhan.
“Over the years, I have learnt to manage feeling overwhelmed during stressful situations and help other teachers do the same. I look forward to applying these strategies at my school,” he adds.
