Translating Passion to Profession: Angelene, Nurziana and Sharidah's Voyage in Early Childhood Education

In the world of early childhood (EC) education, where each day is brimming with the boundless potential of young minds, our EC educators Angelene, Nurziana and Sharidah have discovered their true calling. Despite their diverse backgrounds, their shared passion and dedication to children’s holistic development eventually led them to pursue an extraordinary journey in EC. The journey for these educators was not just a career choice, but a heartfelt commitment to nurturing and shaping the future generation. Their constant drive towards perfecting their craft led them to embark on the Professional Development Programme (PDP).

Different Beginnings but a Common Aspiration

Angelene Chan Wei Ling, Early Years Educator at Agape Little Uni @ Compassvale

Having pursued a certificate in Nursing, Angelene Chan Wei Ling found immense fulfilment in nurturing infants and toddlers. Inspired to make a profound impact on children’s formative years, Angelene courageously embarked on a pivotal career shift by joining the EC sector. From her humble beginning as an Assistant Teacher a decade ago, Angelene has since advanced to become a certified Infant and Early Years Educator at Agape Little Uni today.

Twin Sisters Siti Sharidah Binte Saleh (left) and Siti Nurziana Binte Saleh (right), Preschool Educators at Sunflower Preschool @ Punggol Field Walk, and Sunflower Preschool @ Punggol Field

Similarly, the journey of twin sisters Siti Nurziana and Siti Sharidah Binte Saleh took an unexpected turn from the initial pursuit of their Diplomas in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Sports Management. Their experiences with children during their respective courses of study unveiled a shared passion for educating the young. They decided to pursue an EC certification together after completing their tertiary education, and continued to encourage and support each other as they navigated through trainings and internships. Today, they thrive as dedicated Preschool Educators at the Sunflower Preschool.

Diverse Strengths to Nurture Holistic Development

Angelene conducting a peer sharing session with fellow colleagues

While they share the same love and passion for their careers, Nurziana and Sharidah have their own visions of their professional trajectories. Sharidah is focused on advancing her expertise in curriculum development and refining existing approaches. She aspires to impart these skills to fellow educators as a mentor in the future. “During my PDP journey, I attended many courses, including ‘Embedding Strategies Across Daily Activities for Successful Inclusive Practice’, which equipped me with strategies to improve existing curriculum models and promote inclusivity in the classroom”.

Children engaged in activities and puppetry with Sharidah

Conversely, Nurziana envisions a path towards leadership and management. As a preschool educator, she actively engages in administrative responsibilities and provides guidance to new teachers. Nurziana particularly benefitted from the PDP compulsory module ‘Developing the Leader in Me’, which expanded her perspective on cultivating a positive culture and promoting effective communication for the well-being of staff, children and parents. It also empowered her to reflect on her leadership style, fostering confidence and compassion. “Moving forward, I hope to be able to take on larger job roles and continue to develop and guide as many educators as possible”.

Sharidah (left) and Nurziana (right) engaged in discussion with colleagues on curriculum strategies

Professional Growth Through PDP

As centre leaders who have witnessed the educators' growth over the years, both nominators expressed high praise for Angelene, Nurziana and Sharidah.

 

Angelene with her nominator, Ms Lotus Lai (left)

Ms Lotus Lai, Senior Principal in Agape Little Uni @ Upper Serangoon, commended Angelene, “Her patience, creativity, and genuine love for young children make Angelene an exceptional Early Years Educator. Her participation in PDP courses has expanded her knowledge, enabling her to introduce innovative strategies in her classroom”.

Sharidah (left) and Nurziana (right) with their nominator, Ms Jegatheswary Sundarrajoo Pillai (middle)