The journey into early childhood education is rarely the same for everyone. Sometimes, it begins with someone close to home.
A mother’s example, a twin’s encouragement and a spouse’s belief inspired the three educator pairs in this story to join the sector. Their stories are a reminder that while every educator’s journey is unique, each has the potential to make a difference in the lives of children and families they serve.
TWO GENERATIONS, ONE CALLING
Ms Jenine Koh (left) with her mother Ms Jaslyn Teo (right).
When Ms Jaslyn Teo switched careers after nearly a decade in interior design, she did not expect that decision would one day inspire her daughter to follow a similar path.
Ms Teo’s interest in early childhood education grew after becoming a parent. Wanting to help children build a strong foundation in their early years, she attended night classes while raising two young children, and trained to be an educator. Today, Ms Teo is a Centre Leader at E-Bridge Pre-School, guided by the belief that every child has strengths waiting to be nurtured.
For her daughter, Ms Jenine Koh, early childhood education was more than just her mother's profession. Growing up, she saw firsthand the dedication her mother brought to her work — whether teaching a class or helping out in the kitchen when staff were away.
“I often described her as an ‘Iron Lady’,” she recalled. “She would do whatever it took to support the centre, the children and the team.”
Inspired by her mother’s dedication, Ms Koh joined the sector and spent more than six years as an educator before discovering a passion for strengthening the systems and processes that support educators in their work. Today, she is the Manager of Educational Technology & Innovation at M.Y World Preschool.
Mother and daughter contribute to the sector in different ways, but remain united by a shared purpose. Ms Teo is driven by the relationships she has built with children, families and fellow educators, while Ms Koh focuses on improving systems and processes that help educators do their best work. Together, they continue to make a difference to children’s lives, each in their own way.
TWIN JOURNEYS, SHARED PURPOSE
Ms Kartini binte Sudirman (left) and her twin sister, Ms Kartina binte Sudirman (right).
Twin sisters Ms Kartini and Ms Kartina Sudirman have shared many milestones in life. Becoming early childhood educators was one of them.
More than 15 years ago, Ms Kartini had planned a career in finance. But while pursuing a business and finance degree, she took on relief teaching assignments and discovered a passion for working with young children. What began as a temporary job soon became a new direction.
A year later, Ms Kartina followed in her sister’s footsteps. Inspired by her sister passion for the profession and her recognition as the recipient of the 2014 ECDA Awards for Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher, gave her confidence to consider a career in early childhood education. “Seeing how she was enjoying her work made me want to join the sector too,” she said.
The journey continued side by side. They enrolled in the same ECDA’s Professional Development Programmes, attended night classes together and supported each other through assignments and studies.
Today, both sisters are preschool principals who share a belief in the power of quality early childhood experiences.
Ms Kartina leads a PCF Sparkletots Preschool centre at Canberra Blk 780D, where she champions hands-on learning, strong partnerships with parents, and educator development. Several educators she has mentored have since taken on leadership roles.
At PCF Sparkletots Preschool @ Bukit Panjang Blk 254, Ms Kartini serves families from diverse backgrounds. Her guiding principle is simple: “Every child deserves the same quality of education, regardless of circumstance.”
PARTNERS IN LIFE — AND IN THE CLASSROOM
Ms Lee Siew Ting and Mr Toh Kiat Boon with their daughter (Photo: My First Skool)
When Ms Lee Siew Ting joined the early childhood sector in 2018, she never imagined her husband would one day become her fellow educator.
Before becoming a preschool educator at My First Skool at Blk 135 Simei, Ms Lee worked at the National Library Board, where she enjoyed engaging children through storytelling as an associate librarian with MOLLY the Mobile Library. Years later, it was she who encouraged her husband, Mr Toh Kiat Boon, to consider a career change after more than a decade in his family's engineering business.
Having seen how easily he connected with her nieces and nephews, she believed he would thrive as an educator.
“I told him to just try it, and that he could do something else if he did not enjoy it,” she said.
In 2024, Mr Toh took the leap. Although the career switch meant learning an entirely new set of skills, he quickly found purpose in working with young children. As the only male educator at My First Skool at Blk 627B Tampines, he makes a conscious effort to build trust with families and be a familiar, reassuring presence during drop-off and pick-up times.
Drawing on his science background, he encourages children to ask questions and investigate the world around them. His K2 class is currently growing sugar crystals, learning to observe, record and predict changes over time.
At home, the couple’s conversations often revolve around their work with children. They exchange ideas, support one another through the challenges of the job and share caregiving responsibilities for their young daughter.
“I see the past me in him,” said Ms Lee. “I understand what he is going through, so I can support him better.”
While their stories began with family, they have grown into something much bigger. Across classrooms and communities, they are now inspiring the next generation through the same passion that first inspired them.
