YOUR MERLIONSMAN

BOS SA OMIMERLIANG

Pride of the Lion City

I taught in Singapore's Ministry of Education as a Teaching Scholarship (Local) holder, calling five schools from January 2011 to August 2022 home: Eunoia Junior College (2019-2022), Catholic High (Secondary) (2017-2019), Pei Hwa Secondary (2015), Beatty Secondary (2013) and Choa Chu Kang Secondary (2011). I completed my bond by November 2021 and left service on 31 August 2022 at GEO 4 rank due to sustained abusive treatment from my superiors. While serving in Eunoia, I also came out as gay and non-binary on 1 September 2021 under Singapore's revised protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, the first-ever Singaporean civil servant, scholar and educator to do so in a government school and the second of only two Singaporean teachers ever to do so before the repeal of Section 377A in November 2022. I have continued to work with both Singapore schools and the wider education ecosystem since my resignation, running workshops and short courses at the Singapore Girls' Home and Singapore Boys' Home at the invitation of the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Nanyang Girls' High School, Crescent Girls' School, Overseas Family School and Nexus International School, and serving as a volunteer Majulah Community/MENDAKI youth mentor.

Beyond the classroom, I am also internationally recognised as the leader of the revitalised Kristang community in Singpaore, and for my work in revitalising our critically endangered heritage language, Kristang. I started and continue to lead the award-winning volunteer non-profit initiative to preserve Kristang in Singapore, known as Kodrah Kristang, and directed Singapore's first-ever Kristang Language Festival in May 2017. I have been featured by the BBC, Agence France-Presse, Channel NewsAsia, The Straits Times, Our Grandfather Story, and numerous other media outlets, as well as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Halimah Yacob, the latter of whom presented me with the President of Singapore’s Volunteer and Philanthropy Award (Individual – Youth) in November 2017, awarded to just one individual every year nationally, for my work in preserving Singapore’s intangible cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. For everything listed above, I was also awarded the 2017 Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement, also presented to just one individual every year, and was featured in Singapore's 2018 National Day Celebrations and Parade. Kristang continues to occupy my scholarly interest; I have presented original research on the language at conferences and invited presentations at the Universities of Cambridge, Hawaii (Manoa), Hong Kong, Macau, Mahidol, Malaya, SOAS, Tampere and Toronto, taught at the biennial Institute on Collaborative Language Research (CoLang) and served on its Advisory Circle, and published five peer-reviewed academic articles and book chapters as a solo author delving into the language's structure, socio-ecology and history, despite only having a Bachelor's degree.

And then, just in case you thought I was done, I'm also a published science fiction writer with no ties to the Singapore state: my first novel, Altered Straits, was longlisted for the inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize in 2015 and nominated for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2018, and the short story that inspired it, 'A Merlion for His Majesty', took first prize in the 2015 NUS Creative Writing Competition. In addition to short stories and poetry in various magazines, I have also been featured at the Singapore Writers Festival, the Light to Night Festival, Sing Lit Station, The Substation and elsewhere for my writing, and am the founder of Unravel: The Accessible Linguistics Magazine, a free online non-profit publication aimed at making linguistics accessible to everyone, and Kadamundu: The Spice Road Review, a new home for creole, marginalised and underrepresented literatures from across the world.

In all the realms of my very multifaceted and unusual life, I'm known for being driven, direct, authentic, independent, and deeply empathetic, loving and caring. I am quite willing to talk about my sexuality, my body image issues, my institutional marginalisation, my own long traumatic history of sexual and emotional abuse throughout my time in SJI, CJC, and things about the country and the world that don't quite make sense to me, not because I need the attention or the validation, but because I want you to know that it's okay to do that too, whether with GP, linguistics, literature or your own life. My best friend, even before my amazing husband who I married in Sydney on 6 December 2022, is still myself, because this is my body, my spirit and my own journey of growth and change, and I hope that you will come to get to know yourself in the same beautiful, fulfilling and enriching way if you think we might be a good fit (and hey, why the heck not? I'm quite sure everybody needs a gay non-binary Kristang tutor / life coach in their life!)

my qualifications
A lifelong commitment to excellence

Leader of the revitalised Kristang / Portuguese-Eurasian community in Singapore
Featured by the BBC on 19 March 2017
Agence France-Presse on 11 December 2017
Cambridge University on 17 March 2021
UNESCO and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages on 12 February 2023

Invited but declined to serve as a Nominated Member of Parliament
in the 13th Parliament of the Republic of Singapore in May 2017

Certified Solutions-focused Therapy Practitioner (CSFP)
Accredited by the International Alliance of Solution-Focused Teaching Institutes (IASTI)

University of Wales Trinity Saint David Class of 2025 (anticipated)
Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture
Currently reading M.A. (Cultural Astronomy & Astrology)

National University of Singapore Class of 2024 (anticipated) Research Scholar
Department of English, Linguistics & Theatre Studies
Currently reading M.A. (Linguistics) by Research
Supervisor: Assoc Prof Rebecca Lurie Starr
Proposed thesis: Exploring the potential for revitalisation of a lost ‘singsong’ speech variety of Kristang / Malacca Creole Portuguese in Singapore

National Institute of Education Class of 2019 MOE Teaching Scholar
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (English Language & Linguistics / Literature)
Practicum II Distinction at Catholic High School (Secondary)
Only student-teacher in cohort exempted from QUE513 Pedagogical Grammar of English
July 2019 NIE Teachers' Investiture Ceremony featuree for Lifelong Learning
by Associate Professor Dr Muhamad Faishal Ibrahim, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education
Nominated for the 2022 Inspiring Teacher of English Award
Nominated for the 2021 Inspiring Teacher of English Award
Nominated for the 2020 Inspiring Teacher of English Award
Nominated for the 2019 Inspiring Teacher of English Award
Nominated for the 2022 Outstanding Youth in Education Award
Nominated for the 2021 Outstanding Youth in Education Award
Nominated for the 2020 Outstanding Youth in Education Award
Nominated for the 2019 Outstanding Youth in Education Award
First and still only openly gay and non-binary civil servant in Singapore
First and still only openly gay and non-binary Scholar and Teaching Scholar in Singapore
First and still only openly gay and non-binary government school teacher in Singapore
Featured in Singapore's 2018 National Day Parade & Celebrations
"I am revitalising a language" NDPeeps campaign

National University of Singapore Class of 2017 MOE Teaching Scholar
Department of English, Linguistics & Theatre Studies
and College of Alice & Peter Tan
B.A. (English Language & Linguistics), Summa Cum Laude / First Class Honours & 2017 Minerva Prize & 2017 LHL-OAA
Graduated with near-perfect GPA of 4.89 out of a possible 5.00
Dean's List (top 5%) in every qualifying semester (x6)
Dean's Scholar's List (top 1%) in final 3 semesters (x3)
2017 President's Volunteer and Philanthropy Award Individual–Youth winner
2017 Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement winner
2017 Henry David Hochstadt Award for Outstanding Eurasian University Student
2017 NUS Student Achievement Award (Individual, Leadership)
2017 NUS Student Achievement Award (Group Initiatives)
2017 NUS College of Alice & Peter Tan College Award
2016 NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Student Leadership Award
2016/17 Minerva Prize winner for best graduating student in Linguistics
2015/16 Goh Sin Tub Scholarship winner for best 3rd year student in Linguistics
2015/16 Matricula de Honor recipient at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
2015 NUS Literary Society Creative Writing Competition winner
2014/15 Special Book Prize winner for best 2nd year student in Linguistics
2016 1st CAPT Student Symposium (CAPTISS) Chair
Additional language, linguistics and community training at
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Malaya
University of Tampere
and the College of Alice & Peter Tan at the National University of Singapore

Catholic Junior College Class of 2010 English Language & Linguistics Scholar
GCE A-Levels Straight As and 90 Rank Points / perfect score, one of four top scorers
1st in JC2 cohort for H1 General Paper
1st in JC2 cohort for H2 English Language & Linguistics
2010 CJC Academic Excellence Award
2009 English Language Elective Scholarship holder
2009 CJC Literary Competition Winner
35th CJC Student Council Vice-President (Head of Catholic Activities Wing)
2010 CJC Youth Olympic Games Ambassador
2009 CJC Pre-University Seminar representative
National Youth Achievement Award (Gold)

St Joseph's Institution Class of 2008
GCE O-Levels L1R5 of 10, including eight distinctions
2008 Lasallian Leadership Gold Award
2007 Goh Sin Tub Literary Portfolio Gold Award
2006 New South Wales ICAS (English) High Distinction Award
2005 New South Wales ICAS (Writing) High Distinction Award
2005 Royal Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition Highly Commended Award
2nd in Sec 4 cohort for English Language
Goh Sin Tub Trophy for 1st in Sec 3 cohort for English Language
2nd in Sec 3 cohort for Literature in English
2nd in Sec 2 cohort for English Language
2nd in Sec 2 cohort for Literature in English
2nd in Sec 2 cohort for Computer Science
1st in Sec 1 cohort for Computer Science
2nd in Sec 1 cohort for Language Arts
SJI Prefectorial Board EXCO
SJI Peer Support Facilitator
President of Legion of Mary (Our Lady of Good Counsel Praesidium)
Certificate of Distinction for Outstanding Achievement in Prefectorial Board
Certificate of Distinction for Outstanding Achievement in Legion of Mary
Featured in 2007 and 2008 SJI Prospectuses and Corporate Material

St Michael's School / St Joseph's Institution Junior Class of 2004
PSLE T-Score of 250
2004 Budding Writers Programme participant
Qualified for Gifted Education Programme in 2001 but declined to join

Director of Kodrah Kristang since February 2016
Editor of Kadamundu: The Spice Road Review since October 2022
Majulah Community/MENDAKI Youth Mentor since March 2023
Featured in Singapore's National Day celebrations and Parade in 2018
MCI IMDA Programme Advisory Committee for English Programmes 2017-2020
First Singaporean appointed to the CoLang Advisory Circle 2016-2020
Ministry of Social & Family Development Probation Order Supervisor 2016-2017
Editor-in-Chief of Unravel: The Accessible Linguistics Magazine 2014-2017
Assistant Editor of English Language Teaching World Online 2014-2017
NUS Writing and Communication Hub Tutor 2015-2016

Pioneering LGBTQ+ student and tutor in virtually all institutions attended:
Out as a student in St Joseph's Institution from 12 Mar 2007 (Sec 3)
Out and proud as a student in Catholic Junior College from Mar 2009 (JC1)
Out and proud as a student at the National University of Singapore from matriculation
Out as a student-teacher at the National Institute of Education from matriculation
Out and proud as a teacher at Eunoia Junior College and generally from 1 Sep 2021
Out and proud as the Merlionsman of the Republic of Singapore and leader of the Kristang community in Singapore from 31 Aug 2022

Survivor of multiple instances of sustained sexual, emotional and institutional abuse
1996-1997 as a child
2007-2008 as an out gay student, from St Joseph's Institution
2008-2013 from a friend in St Joseph's Institution
2009-2010 as an out gay student, from Catholic Junior College
2016-2019 from a friend in the Kodrah Kristang Core Team
2021-2022 from immediate family
2021-2022 as an out gay teacher, from Eunoia Junior College
2022 from a SFBT/coaching course provider
as well as projection from religious organisations and the Singapore state
throughout my lifespan, especially in 2007-2009 and 2022

Some of my many honours and awards over the years

2022 Outstanding Youth in Education Award [nominated]
2022 Inspiring Teacher of English Award [nominated]
2021 Outstanding Youth in Education Award [nominated]
2021 Inspiring Teacher of English Award [nominated]
2020 Outstanding Youth in Education Award [nominated]
2020 Inspiring Teacher of English Award [nominated]
2019 Outstanding Youth in Education Award [nominated]
2019 Inspiring Teacher of English Award [nominated]
2019 Teaching Practicum II Distinction
2019 Pedagogical Grammar of English exemption
2018 National Day Celebrations and Parade featuree
2018 Singapore Youth Award [nominated]
2018 Singapore Literature Prize [nominated]
2017 President of Singapore's Volunteer and Philanthropy Award (Individual – Youth) [won]
2017 Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement [won]
2017 Eurasian Community Fund Distinction Award: The Henry David Hochstadt Award for the Outstanding Eurasian University Student [won]
2017 NUS Minerva Prize for Best Student in English Language [Linguistics] in the Examination for the Degree of B.A. with Honours [won]
2017 NUS Student Achievement Award (Individual, Leadership) {won]
2017 NUS Student Achievement Award (New Initiatives, for Kodrah Kristang) [won]
2017 Singapore Youth Award [nominated]
2017 Director, Singapore's inaugural Kristang Language Festival
2016 Linguistic Society of America Excellence in Community Linguistics Award [nominated]
2016 NUS FASS Student Leadership Award [won]
2016 NUS Goh Sin Tub Scholarship (English Language) for Best Third-Year Student in English Language [Linguistics] in the Examination for the Degree of B.A. with Honours [won]
2015 Epigram Books Fiction Prize [longlisted]
2015 Special Book Prize (English Language) for Best Second-Year Student in English Language [Linguistics] in the Examination for the Degree of B.A. with Honours [won]
2015 NUS Creative Writing Competition [won]
2013 MOE Teaching Scholarship holder
2010 1st in CJC cohort for H1 General Paper
2010 1st in CJC cohort for H2 English Language & Linguistics
2010 CJC Academic Excellence Award

and some of the many tutors and mentors who helped me get them

Mr Bernard Stephen Mesenas

Kodrah Kristang

In memoriam ♥

1938-2021

Assoc Prof Rebecca Lurie Starr