Talking Heads: Andrea Naylor

1. Do you have a nickname? Most of the students call me “Miss Andrea”.
2. Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in Vancouver, Canada and lived between Toronto and Vancouver until I finished high school. I was very lucky to get to spend time in two such dynamic cities and still have family and close childhood friends in both places.
3. Where do you live in the city and why do you love it there? I live close to our school in Jurong, right beside the Chinese Garden and Jurong Lake. I love cycling to school each morning along the bike path that runs around the lake as the sun is rising. It’s a wonderful way to start the day.
4. What’s in your lunchbox? Nothing, actually! We have a wonderful school cafeteria and I always purchase my lunch from there. I usually have the salad bar.

1. What inspired you to become a Vice Principal? I have been fortunate to work with some amazing school leaders. I quickly learned that a great leader can transform a school by working to develop leadership capacity in others. This inspired me to complete a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and to work with teachers in schools throughout the Asia-Pacific region as a workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization. The more I learned about educational leadership and the role it must play in transforming education to meet the needs of the 21st more I became excited about getting involved in school administration.
2. Describe your school in 5 words or less! Engaging, enlightening, empowering, welcoming.

1.What’s your favourite thing on your desk and why? I have a quote by Carl Jung on my desk that is printed on Irish slate and was given to me by someone special in my life. It says, “Your vision becomes clear when you look inside your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” I love the idea that, as educators, our job is help children awaken their potential.
2. What are your 3 favourite children’s books? Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt, My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits, and Max’s Words by Kate Banks.

1. What is the best way for parents to be involved in their children’s education? Read to your child every single night. Provide your child with time for unstructured play. Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and enough rest. Get your child involved in daily chores around the house such as sorting objects, helping to make a grocery list or caring for a pet. Show your child that you, too, continue to learn, that it’s important to try new things, it’s important to ask questions and that it’s okay to make mistakes.
2. What’s the best advice a teacher or headmistress ever gave you? Ideas about what “good teaching” looks like may come and go. Focus on what “good learning” looks like and you can’t go wrong.

Canadian International School
7 Jurong West Street 41 Singapore 649414
+65 6467 1732
www.cis.edu.sg