It is a great honor for us to interview the winner of the first edition of the Malaysian Teacher Prize 2022 – Anuthra Sirisena, a passionate and innovative STEM educator currently based in Tenom, Sabah. We hope this interview would shed light on the projects driven by Cikgu Anuthra as well as to get to know her better.
Please introduce yourself.
I am Cikgu Anuthra. I’m teaching chemistry & science at SMJK Chung Hwa Tenom. It’s a school of mixed students despite being a Chinese school with the majority being B40 students. I am an avid STEM educator.
In 2013, you were a fellow for ILEP to the U.S. Can you share a bit about what you learned and also what was the most memorable thing from the program?
I was placed in Arizona State University & attached to North High School in Phoenix. I’ve learned so much, especially on how to be assertive. The PD module we worked on back then was on Backward design.. which is still very much relevant till today.
The most memorable thing about the program is that my views on learning, especially on students’ assessment, have shifted so much. I was able to see first hand how assessments were not merely grading & how can we truly assess learnings instead of what is written on test papers.
How did ILEP change you to become the kind of teacher that you are now?
I think I’m more outspoken, assertive and a changemaker; thanks to the experience I got back in the US.
You set up TIC in 2018. Can you tell us what it is and what made you and your team decide to set up TIC in the first place? What was the inspiration?
Tenom Innovation Center (T.I.C) is a makerspace for the Tenom community to make, learn and use basic programming and robotics. This center is run by a group of educators and all training is conducted, facilitated and supported by trained students mentors.
Mission
TIC is a pioneer in running and setting up makerspaces in schools in Sabah which eventually connects to their community; beyond their classroom walls. TIC aims to provide equal opportunities and access to digital learning especially in programming and robotics to rural schools students and community.
What inspired us to start TIC? Simple.. Our students…we see spark.. We see thirst for learning & we see hope!
Congratulations on winning MTP 2022! Do you mind sharing what motivated you to apply and also what do you plan to do with the prize money?
Thanks a lot. I’m blessed & very grateful.
Actually I never applied for awards. Many did pushed me, asked me to and etc but I’ve always ended up not applying. 2 days before the due date, my mentor texted me saying, Anuthra, apply! Think how much TIC can benefit with 50K.
That made me rethink my purpose. If it is going to be able to help TIC, then it also means I can help more students… Less privileged kids in the rural areas…. No child should be left behind & this pandemic has widened the gaps in learning.. hence the term learning poverty.
I plan to set up a pedalaman makers hub connecting Keningau, Tambunan, Pensiangan & Tenom… We are already in the talks & looking forward to push it through very soon.
Do you have any advice for other teachers out there who aspire to set up their own community level initiatives?
I would say, teachers, don’t do it alone. You are great but imagine how a team of great people looks like. Get a few like minded individuals, sharing the same mission, and start! We can learn later… Just do! Collaborate & enjoy the joyride!
HIVE Educators | Cultivating teacher-scholars 