Interview with Clarice Lim (Academic Staff, SHL)

Ben (B): Please tell us more about your experience while pursuing a degree at NIE.

Clarice (C): As a Returning Teacher (RT) (those who have had teaching experience before returning to NIE to further their studies), everything that I read and heard is familiar and at the same time, enlightening. I used to feel frustrated over my own incompetency in helping students with their problems, be it personal or in studies. The pedagogical theories and methods that I learnt in NIE definitely helped to clear many of the doubts that I used to have.

During my first year in NIE, I sort of struggled to find my way around things and settling down was not easy since I was the only RT in my class. I had to figure things out on my own, since nobody else shared the same timetable or module code as me. But I was lucky to have a wonderful programme chair, Dr. Clara Tan, who had guided me in my lost moments in NIE.

After my first semester of study, I was sort nudged at the back by my confidant to try out mindmapping. I was skeptical initially, but after a few attempts (plus more nudging of course), I got the hang of it and eventually became its advocator! Mindmapping made a huge difference to the grades that I have achieved in NIE. I would say that I had started out as an average student and ended up as an award-winning first class honours student with the help of mindmaps! Up till now, I still use mindmaps and hope to advocate its advantages by modeling the usage in class.

My study principle then was “kiasuism”. I always reminded myself that I am not smart and definitely not the type who could get straight As with minimum effort. Thus, if I want to do well, I will have to do more than what an average student does. My study routine involves a pre-lecture mindmapping, post-lecture mindmapping (edition of the previous mindmap), and an end-of-module summary mindmapping, which would be revised again at least twice before exams. These mindmaps were usually produced from readings of journals and textbooks. After the entire process, I would have read through the same thing at least 4 times! Feel like puking already? Well, hard work is definitely one component that cannot be left out in the equation for success!

B: Share with us your philosophy in teaching.

C: Teaching is more than just a vocation to me. It is a mission, a role which plays a very important part in students’ lives. I believe that it is the teacher, who can and will make or break a student. Being a pragmatist, I make sure I teach what is most relevant (to what the society views it as) to the student and in the way that the student can absorb most easily. I encourage feedback and love answering students’ questions. I believe that questioning is the best way to learn and is the pathway to gaining knowledge.

I believe in setting high expectations for my students as that is the only way to let them feel that they are meant for more than they think is possible. I may appear harsh and demanding but I insist on giving the best to my students by presenting them with the hard facts of life.

B: What/who inspires you to take on this role as an educator?

C:I was not exactly inspired by anyone to teach. I actually chanced upon teaching after my ‘A’ Levels. At that time, I had not really decided on what I want to do in life and since teaching seems pretty accessible, there I went! To my surprise, after 3 years of teaching, instead of feeling sick of it, I fell deeply in love with the job. I realised my potential to touch lives and the joy that I derive from it. I never had the feeling of working when I teach. It was a truly indescribable experience to teach.

B: Why did you choose to facilitate in RP? What attracts you to RP?

C: Firstly, I was offered the job and I thought, why not try teaching a different age group? The experience will definitely extend my pedagogical knowledge. Right after the first interview, I was already looking forward to teaching in RP. Everything about RP attracts me - the paperless environment, the PBL pedagogy, the slogan of “learning with a difference”, the tablet PCs, the open concept. The thought that I will be working in an organization which is so susceptible to changes simply excites me.

B: What do you hope to achieve in this career?

C: Given that RP is a new school, my wish for now will be to aid the school in building its name, hoping that other institutions will learn the ways of RP and adopt similar if not, adapted teaching strategies and management style. I always feel that “change” is unavoidable and it is through “change” that we move as a civilization. I wish that RP will be the institution to spearhead this change in Singapore’s education system and benefit generations to come.