USP Alum Lauded for Igniting Love for English Literature, Receives Inspiring Teacher of English Award
USP alum Chen Ying Rheverie (English Literature + USP, Class of 2016) was one of the seven educators to receive the Inspiring Teacher of English – Teaching Award (ITEA) 2020 for being an exceptional teacher and inspiring love for English Literature in her students. A virtual award ceremony was held on 27 October 2020 to recognise the award recipients. This is a national award now in its 13th year.
As an English Literature teacher at Unity Secondary School, Rheverie trains her students to ask probing questions instead of just answering them. Through this, they learn skills such as critical thinking, negotiating differences and challenging assumptions. In an interview with The Straits Times, she said, “One concern for me is that when my students leave the classroom, are they going to take with them knowledge that is going to become outdated, or are they going to walk away with something that will still serve them in the future. Obviously, we want it to be the second case.”
We salute Rheverie’s unwavering passion for teaching and hope she continues to inspire the younger generation. Congrats Rheverie!
Separately, we caught up with Rheverie in an email interview and she tells us more about this achievement below.
What interesting things have you done with your students?
Letting them run the show (re: lesson)!
A lot of the way I teach is framed by two particular paradigm-shifting experiences from USP (Prof Don Favareau’s Writing and Critical Thinking (WCT) class, and Prof Jeremy Arnold’s Ordinary Politics, where he introduced us to Hannah Arendt and “Thinking and Moral Considerations”) — these two experiences made me realised the difference between thinking and knowledge, and the difference between a learner and a know-it-all. Both consciously and sub-consciously, it has since shaped both the way I teach and my hopes for my students.
The time we spend with the students is limited. So my priority is never content, but the ability to critically and responsibly think, and take action thereafter. In a way, its to be thoughtful, in both senses of the word: a thoughtful and empathetic thinker.
With that in mind, one of the best lessons I’ve had with my students was probably when, for the term’s formal assessment, they have to come up with a set of readings, designing discussion questions and facilitate a 40min discussion with the entire class. That was the most fun I’ve had and the most impressed I’ve been with then students. They knew what questions to ask, how to ask, and how to negotiate different interpretations. I’ve never been prouder!
What have you learnt from the experience of winning ITEA, and your hopes and aspirations for the future?
From a personal and possibly narrower perspective, its a great affirmation. A lot of what I am doing is considered unorthodox in Singapore so there is some hesitation, regardless how much I believe in them. The recognition and affirmation from ITEA is the best dose of confidence, motivating me to continue innovating and doing what is best for the students and for Literature.
On the larger scale, my subject, Literature, is still very much a neglected subjected in Singapore and occupies a unique position between English and the Humanities. Hopefully, this win will help people become more aware of Literature and understand it and its value (accurately). I look forward to the day that Literature is embraced for its philosophical underpinnings, rootedness in critical thinking, and its timeless critical and ethical relevance.
Photo: ITEA 2020
Any words of motivation for your USP juniors?
I still remember that the day I received my admission notice to USP — I’ve never been happier, not even when I was awarded my scholarship (although, of course, that was a great moment too).
USP was an eye-opening experience that my experiences there continue to affect me and push me on. In many ways, USP opens your eyes and your mind, showing you a much greater horizon while also providing you with the skills to triumph in that bigger, brighter world.
USP taught me that everything is ever-growing and ever-evolving, and that includes ourselves. So do not set yourself a limit, set goals instead and push yourself to ever greater ones!