President Tony Tan hosts tea for special education teachers

Working with special needs students requires passion, love and strength.

To recognise the efforts and commitment of special education teachers, President Tony Tan hosted tea at the Istana for about 80 teachers from 20 special education schools.

“We updated the President on what has been happening in special education, and gave ideas on areas that could be improved,” said Cecilia Lee, 44, Senior Assistant at Towner Gardens School.

President Tan encouraged the teachers to persevere and go the extra mile, despite the challenges and demands involved. He also acknowledged their continual efforts to raise the quality of special education.

“The students touched me. I found it meaningful and worthwhile to give my best to them,” said one of the educators, Mr Koh Poh Kwang, 70, who has been the Principal of Lighthouse School for 36 years.

It was an uplifting session for these special education teachers, who were grateful for the recognition and affirmation of their work. Many also shared that what kept them going was seeing their students tapping on their strengths and going on to lead confident and meaningful lives, despite their special needs.

Mr Dennis Tan, 48, a teacher at the Singapore School for the Deaf shared in sign language: “I understand their difficulties because I am deaf myself. Being a deaf teacher has been very fulfilling.” Mr Tan added that he chose to be a teacher so he can be an inspiration to his deaf students.

It was heart-warming to hear the stories of these special education teachers. A big thank you to everyone for your dedication and contributions!