Q&A with Maria Telmer of German European School Singapore

Find out why Maria Telmer loves teaching at German European School Singapore!

Teacher: Maria Telmer

What is your background and training?
I am a Canadian who has been living abroad in Singapore for 17 years.  I received my teaching qualifications from York University in Toronto, Canada.  I taught in Canada for eight years before coming to Singapore. While in Singapore, I have taught at three different educational institutions. I have been teaching English at GESS for 10 years.

What made you want to become a teacher?
I come from a family of teachers. My older sister is a teacher as well as numerous cousins and aunts and my mother in law.

What do you love about working at your school in particular?
I love teaching at GESS! I have spent 10 extremely happy years at GESS and have loved every moment of it.  I am lucky to have such passionate, dedicated colleagues and supportive and encouraging administrative staff.  My main goal is to foster a love of life-long learning in my students. Once you have achieved that, you will have children who want to come to school and parents that will be extremely grateful.

What is your take on ‘play-based learning’?
Play based learning should be an essential part of every school’s curriculum. The benefits of play based learning are numerous – development of social skills, academic benefits, strengthening brain pathways and developing physical skills. Playing develops fine motor and gross motor skills, it develops creativity and of course, it is fun.

What is your favourite game or activity to do with your students?
My favourite activity to do with children is to read them stories. Everyone from my youngest students to even my oldest students enjoy a good story.  Stories spark a child’s imagination, develop literacy skills and are just plain fun.  Many stories come from my favourite authors but some come from real life experiences from my childhood, those are often the student’s favourite.

What are a few fun facts about you?
I am a voracious reader. I always have a book that I am currently reading.
I’m a great baker. I love baking for people but I rarely eat anything I bake.
My favourite start to the day is to get up early (5am) and go for a run before school begins.