A Journey Rooted in Service and Heart

Sarah Ng’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her belief that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Raised by her grandparents in a single-parent household, Sarah grew up cherishing empathy, resilience, and social responsibility. These values came to life in junior college, when she co-founded EJ Beautiful Minds — a student-led mental health initiative dedicated to promoting emotional well-being and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in schools.

Inspired by mentors such as her General Paper teacher and former school principal, and further shaped by a relief teaching stint at Canberra Primary School, Sarah pursued a teaching scholarship and continued her journey at the National Institute of Education (NIE). There, she embraced leadership opportunities, took part in international exchange programmes, and rediscovered her love for History through a final-year project grounded in archival research.

In the classroom, Sarah brings with her a clear mission: to uphold inclusivity and authenticity. She designs purposeful, inquiry-based learning experiences that extend beyond the academic syllabus — nurturing enduring conceptual understandings and instilling in students a passion for learning. To Sarah, students’ psychological well-being is foundational to education. She is dedicated to creating a classroom culture where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to grow into thoughtful, resilient individuals prepared to navigate the complexities of the future.

Sarah is deeply honored to have received both the Tan Poey Quee Practicum Book Prize and the Sembcorp Marine Book Prize. These awards are more than accolades; they stand as powerful affirmations of the commitments that guide her teaching journey — pedagogical excellence and subject mastery.

The Tan Poey Quee Practicum Book Prize pays tribute to Sarah’s formative experiences in the classroom. During her practicum, she learned under experienced teacher mentors who encouraged her to explore innovative approaches and experiment with diverse pedagogical theories. Working with high-needs students also revealed the real-world challenges and human dimensions of teaching that no textbook could fully capture. This experience deepened her conviction in the importance of connecting meaningfully with every learner.

The Sembcorp Marine Book Prize, in turn, reflects Sarah’s identity as a History educator who remains, first and foremost, a History learner. She thrives on engaging with historical debates — from in-depth readings to thought-provoking discussions with professors and peers. Her journey of writing a final-year History thesis was both intellectually rigorous and deeply fulfilling, reinforcing her belief in the value of critical inquiry and academic excellence.

Now, as a full-time educator, Sarah recognises that the demands of the profession can sometimes make it difficult to sustain both pedagogical growth and intellectual depth. Yet, the recognition from these two prizes — one celebrating practical classroom success and the other honouring scholarly achievement — continues to fortify her resolve. They serve as enduring reminders of the high standards she upholds, inspiring her to design meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity, nurture confidence, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning in her students.