Latest news with #StefanusLucas
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
RISE Educator Award 2025 for Sabah teacher, special-needs school
TAYLOR'S College and its student engagement arm The Risers have named schoolteacher Stefanus Lucas as this year's RISE Educator Award recipient. Lucas, from Sabah, was awarded RM5,000 in recognition of 'his impactful work in using music as a transformative tool to empower students with special needs'. With limited resources, Lucas worked with students who are visually- and hearing-impaired. Despite such limitations, he managed to establish a specialised music room and formed a student boy band, giving his students a stage to shine and a medium to express themselves confidently. His long-term vision includes forming Sabah's first student ensemble that combines traditional and modern instruments, as well as building a dedicated music space tailored for hearing-impaired learners. 'Lucas's work embodies creativity, empathy and the belief that every child deserves a chance to be heard,' said The Risers. In addition, RM50,000 was awarded to special-needs school SK Pendidikan Khas (P) Kota Kinabalu, where Lucas is teaching at, to fund a project that brings his educational vision to life. Four other finalists were each awarded RM1,000 in recognition of their contributions. Their schools also received RM10,000 each, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and learning environments to further support meaningful educational outcomes and student development. The award ceremony was held in conjunction with the recent RISE Educator Conference 2025, themed 'Impactful Teaching, Purposeful Learning'. Taylor's College campus director Josephine Tan said over the past five years, the RISE Educator Award has revealed the remarkable resilience and creativity of teachers who quietly transform the meaning of education. 'These educators don't wait for ideal conditions – they create opportunities with what they have. What drives them isn't just innovation, but deep purpose and belief in their students. Many even fund their own projects, expecting little recognition in return. 'RISE Educator Award has grown into more than just a reward, it is now a platform that brings educators, communities and changemakers together to celebrate impact, exchange ideas and inspire one another. It reflects our belief that when we invest in educators, we're investing in the future – and we're confident they'll continue to spark even greater change.' Tan added that the RISE Educator Award is more than a celebration – it is a commitment to uplift and invest in educators who are changing lives. Star of the RISE Educator Award 2025 Lucas said: 'To many, music may seem like a luxury but to my students, it is a lifeline. It's how they express emotions, connect with others and begin to believe in their own worth. I started with almost nothing, just a belief that music could change lives. 'This award is more than a recognition. It's a reminder that inclusion is possible and that our students deserve every opportunity to be seen, heard and celebrated. I share this honour with them, because their resilience is what inspires me every day.' SK Pendidikan Khas (P) Kota Kinabalu's headmaster Muhammad Hamka Eallie said: 'What Cikgu Stefanus has done is nothing short of remarkable. He's given our students a sense of identity, pride and purpose. He doesn't see their disabilities, he sees their potential. 'He has transformed the way our school views learning, inclusion and what it means to empower every child. The impact he's made is deep and lasting, and we are incredibly proud to see his work recognised on a national stage. Over a thousand nominations The RISE Educator Award 2025 received over 1,000 nominations nationwide and more than 65,000 public votes – 'a reflection of the deep appreciation for educators making a difference in classrooms and communities across Malaysia'. Following nomination submissions in March, 10 passionate educators were shortlisted and profiled on the RISE Educator website, giving the public a chance to vote for their favourites. From these 10, five outstanding finalists were selected through public votes, which accounted for 25% of the final result. Other finalists included Mohd Nur Hifzhan Noordan (SK Sungai Passai in Sibu, Sarawak), Dr Mohd Zamri Husaini (SK Kampung Tun Razak, Melaka), Izzat Fahim Ibrahim (SK Tagibang in Kota Marudu, Sabah) and Hallsen Justin (SK Timbua in Ranau, Sabah). Since its inception, the RISE Educator Award has celebrated 18 educators, and channelled more than RM200,000 in grants and development support to schools across the country. The success of this year's RISE Educator Award and Conference was strengthened by strategic collaborations with Teach For Malaysia* and the Education Ministry, who played key roles in the judging process and event endorsement. Additionally, the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association provided invaluable support in driving the smooth execution and impact of the conference. The award ceremony was graced by the Education Ministry's educational resources and technology division deputy director Fadzliaton Zainudin. In her speech, she said: 'Taylor's College has consistently championed quality education by recognising and supporting the incredible efforts of educators on the ground. The RISE Educator Award highlights how real change often starts with small, consistent acts of care and dedication. 'The Ministry of Education commends Taylor's College for establishing a platform that goes beyond recognising outstanding educators – one that also fosters collaboration, inspires innovation and encourages the exchange of impactful practices that uplift our schools and communities.' Championing meaningful change in Malaysian classrooms The RISE Educator Conference also featured a dynamic panel session titled 'Empowering Purposeful Learning for All', and moderated by head of partnerships at Pandai*, Aidiel Mat Isa. The discussion brought together passionate education advocates, including Teach For Malaysia CEO Chan Soon Seng, Projeck BacaBaca* founder Hema Letchamanan, and educator at SK Long Sebangang and RISE Educator Award 2021 recipient Muhammad Nazmi Rosli. Together, the panellists explored how purposeful teaching practices can break barriers and foster meaningful learning for every student. Taylor's College also hosted Purpose-Led Educators Masterclasses for nearly 200 educators attending the conference, providing them with valuable insights into practical methods, innovative strategies and resilient mindsets for effective teaching. For more information on RISE Educator Award, go to Taylor's College website here.. *Teach For Malaysia, a non-profit organisation and part of the global Teach For All network, recruits and trains outstanding graduates and professionals to serve as full-time teachers in high-needs schools through a two-year leadership development programme. *Pandai is an education technology app that offers a gamified and personalised learning experience aligned with the national curriculum for students aged seven to 17, featuring quizzes, video lessons, AI tools and live tutoring. *Projek BacaBaca is a community-driven literacy initiative that pairs young children from B40 communities with trained volunteer reading coaches who deliver personalised support in Bahasa Melayu and English.
The Star
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Music teacher wins Rise Educator Award for empowering students with disabilities
SUBANG JAYA: Stefanus Lucas, a music teacher for students with disabilities in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is named this year's Rise Educator Award winner. Lucas, a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pendidikan Khas, was awarded RM5,000 for his achievement, while his school received RM50,000. Although Lucas had no formal training in special needs education and limited resources, he set up a specialist music room and even formed a schoolboy band, giving his visually and hearing-impaired students a chance to showcase their talents. 'I'm very excited, and I didn't expect to win. 'Just making it into the top five was already enough for me. Overall, I'm very excited and happy,' he said after receiving the award on Saturday (June 14). Lucas said he intends to use the prize money to renovate the music classroom and buy new instruments for his deaf students. His ultimate aim is to establish a student ensemble that merges both traditional and modern instruments. 'So far, we have received some support from the Sabah Government Office to buy ukuleles,' said Lucas. The other four finalists were Mohd Nur Hifzhan from SK Sungai Passai, Sarawak; Dr Mohd Zamri from SK Kampung Tun Razak, Melaka; Izzat Fahim Ibrahim from SK Tagibang Kota Marudu, Sabah; and Hallsen Justin from SK Timbua, Sabah. Each finalist of the Rise Educator Award 2025 also received RM1,000, with an additional RM10,000 allocated to their schools. The winner and finalists were selected through a process that combined public votes (25%) with assessments from a distinguished panel of judges (75%). The Risers is the student engagement arm of Taylor's College, and the Rise Educator Award is their annual initiative that honours exceptional educators nationwide.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
RISE Educator Award 2025
Voting deadline: May 23 > Taylor's College is inviting the public to vote for their favourite teachers to honour their outstanding contributions in shaping the future of education and empowering students. > The 10 finalists for the Remarkable Impact in Student Education (RISE) Educator Award are: - Tan Meng Wei (SMK Pengkalan Aur/SMK Tat Beng in Perak): Developed accessible multimedia rooms for students with mobility and hyperactivity challenges; now teaches life skills through farming initiatives. - Stefanus Lucas (SK Pendidikan Khas Kota Kinabalu, Sabah): Uses music to support pupils with visual and hearing impairments; formed a boy band and a specialised music room. - Mohd Nur Hifzhan (SK Kuala Kenyana, Sarawak): Introduced co-curricular activities that took his pupils from a remote school – only reachable by boat – to international competitions. - Izzat Fahim Ibrahim (SK Tagibang Kota Marudu, Sabah): Boosted school spirit through sports, increasing attendance and reducing dropouts. - Sufina Halim (SMK Tunku Putra, Kedah): Founded Project Cikgu to help families in need by providing food, school supplies and emotional support. - Hallsen Justin (SK Timbua Ranau, Sabah): Teaches pupils in hospital wards, creating a supportive environment for those with chronic conditions. - Ainul Inayah Hamzah (SM Teknik Tuanku Jaafar, Negri Sembilan): Encourages students to recycle waste into eco-friendly soaps. - Shyamala Siva Sithambaram (SJK(C) Jerik/SMK Jengka 2 in Pahang): Uses creativity and technology to make learning Tamil fun and engaging. - Dr Mohd Zamri Husaini (SK Kampung Tun Razak, Melaka): Developed innovative teaching tools that make learning exciting. - Selvarani Uthra Kummaran (SJK(T) Ladang Banopdane, Perak): Creates engaging educational videos that make learning Maths enjoyable. > The five teachers with the most votes will advance to the finals, where a panel of judges will assess their contributions. > Grand prize: RM5,000 cash (for the winning educator), RM50,000 sponsorship (for their school), and RM500 cash (for the nominator). > Four other finalists will each receive RM1,000 cash (for the educator), RM10,000 sponsorship (for their school), and RM250 cash (for the nominator). Details:
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Three Sabah teachers Top 10 Finalists in RISE Educator Awards 2025
Hallsen Justin Izzat Fahim Bin Ibrahim Stefanus Lucas KOTA KINABALU (May 14): Three exceptional educators from Sabah have been named as Top 10 finalists in the RISE Educator Awards 2025, a prestigious national award organized by Taylor's College that celebrates teachers who go above and beyond in transforming education. One grand winner will walk away with RM50,000 in funding to scale their impact even further. What makes this even more remarkable, all three finalists – Stefanus Lucas, Izzat Fahim Ibrahim and Hallsen Justin – come from rural schools and special education backgrounds, proving that dedication and compassion can overcome any challenge. Starting with no formal background in special education, Stefanus (SK Pendidikan Khas Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran) is now one of the most inspiring figures in the field. He teaches music to students with learning difficulties, visual impairments, and hearing disabilities, and has successfully guided them to compete and win at international levels. Last year, he formed the school's first-ever boy band and began building a dedicated music room for deaf students, despite minimal resources. His guiding belief is simple but powerful: 'Focus on ability, not disability.' He dreams of forming a unique student ensemble that blends modern and traditional instruments and building Sabah's first inclusive music room specially designed for deaf learners. When Izzat arrived at SK Tagibang, a quiet rural school in Kota Marudu, he brought a mission: to ensure rural children get the same opportunities as anyone else. In 2022, he rode a motorbike through the forest with two preschoolers to attend a singing competition — one of them, Kristiannie Riduan, went on to become district champion and placed fourth in the West Coast region. He also trains students in sports as early as 5:30am. His efforts have led the school to multiple district and state-level victories. In 2024, one of his students, Clayvera Mastin, became the first rural athlete from Kota Marudu to represent Sabah at the national level, breaking records in the 4x100m and 4x200m events. As Deputy Head of Administration at SK Timbua, Ranau, Hallsen is not only a school leader — he's also a passionate advocate for students with thalassemia. As a father to a child living with the condition, he understands the struggles families face when juggling health and education. He began teaching thalassemia patients in hospital wards so they wouldn't fall behind academically. He continues to do this while managing school duties and administration. He also works closely with the Sabah Thalassemia Association and the Ranau District Education Office to raise awareness and push for better support in schools. His message is clear: 'If we don't act, who will? These children have the same right to education.' The public can now show their support by voting for their favourite finalist in the RISE Educator Awards 2025. Voting is open from 13 to 23 May 2025 via the link below: One vote could change everything — not just for these teachers, but for the students and communities they continue to serve with heart and purpose.
