Our People and Impact
Bringing Learning to Life: Teeny Teh Named Finalist for President’s Award for Teachers 2020
Our People and Impact
President’s Award for Teachers
12 October 2020
For Teeny Teh, learning should be engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable. The School of Hospitality lecturer is known for her creative teaching style that brings lessons to life while helping students build confidence, curiosity, and important life skills. Her passion for inspiring learners earned her recognition as a finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2020.
RP School of Hospitality lecturer Teeny Teh believes students learn best when they are actively engaged, curious, and having fun in the process. Her creative and energetic approach to teaching has inspired many students over the years and earned her recognition as a finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2020.
The prestigious award recognises educators who demonstrate passion, dedication, and a strong commitment to nurturing their students.
Teeny is known for designing lessons that cater to different learning styles, ensuring students can better understand concepts in ways that resonate with them. One of her most memorable lessons involved performing a choreographed dance in various animal costumes to teach Event Marketing concepts for the module “Leisure Events and Entertainment Management”.
The lesson quickly became a hit among students and even gained attention from online media after students shared videos of the class on social media. Beyond creating an enjoyable classroom experience, the activity also introduced students to the concept of viral marketing, giving them the opportunity to create their own viral content as part of the learning process.
As an advocate for non-conventional teaching approaches, Teeny constantly reflects on how students experience learning.
I try to structure my lessons according to how I would like to learn if I were a student. This is why I try to incorporate fun, creative and hands-on activities in my lessons. I feel that when learners have a chance to be engaged through the sense in which they learn best, they are more energised and self-motivated.— Teeny Teh, Lecturer at RP School of Hospitality and Finalist for the President's Award for Teachers 2020
Teeny credits her father as one of the biggest influences behind her teaching philosophy. Growing up, he encouraged her and her sister to learn using all five senses through everyday experiences involving science, plants, and the world around them. These experiences sparked her curiosity from a young age and continue to influence the way she teaches today.
Beyond helping students understand lesson concepts, Teeny hopes her classes also leave students with valuable life lessons that they can carry into the future.
“Life lessons like positive thinking, being grateful for what you have, being adaptable to change, being curious and asking questions, and always doing your best are some of the lessons I try to incorporate into my classes,” she shared.
Through her creativity, passion, and student-centred approach, Teeny continues to inspire students to grow, stay curious, and become their #GreaterMe both inside and outside the classroom.
Congratulations to Teeny on being named a finalist for the President’s Award for Teachers 2020.
Read more stories of RP educators who inspire students to become their #GreaterMe through learning, growth, and meaningful impact.