Congratulations: Stefanus (far left) and Muhammad Hamka (second from right) receiving the mock cheques from Fadzliaton (second from left) and Tan (far right).
FOCUS on your pupils’ growth and avoid comparing yourself with others.
That is the message from RISE Educator Award 2025 winner Stefanus Lucas to his fellow teachers.
“You are great in your own way. What seems unnoticed to the world may already make you a hero in your pupils’ eyes,” he said.
A “hero” in his own right, Stefanus – who teaches at SK Pendidikan Khas (P) Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – has been using music to bridge the gap for pupils with visual and hearing impairments.
From having no music room at all, his school now boasts a specialised space for pupils to explore their musical talents, thanks to his initiative, which also included creating the school’s first boy band.
“It took me almost five months to build a music room due to a shortage of resources. I used all my own funds, brought music equipment from home, and appealed for additional funds from Sabah’s (Education) Ministry office,” he told StarEdu.
His effort won the hearts of both the public and the judges in the latest edition of the RISE Educator Award, where he was awarded RM5,000, while his school received RM50,000 to enhance its facilities and infrastructure to support a conducive environment for quality education.
According to Stefanus, deaf pupils are typically not taught music because teachers don’t know how to teach pupils with hearing impairments.
“In almost a year, I’ve seen that my pupils can learn – through vibrations, visuals and movement,” he said of his experience.
“That’s why I always tell my pupils to prove people wrong – by focusing on their abilities, not their disabilities.
“If we focus on ability, we will focus on potential, opportunity and space,” he added.
Looking ahead, Stefanus hopes to develop a national benchmark for inclusive music education, starting with a user-friendly music room for deaf pupils.
With the prize money, he plans to upgrade the music room in his school and invest in music instruments for his pupils.
His school headmaster Muhammad Hamka Eallie expressed immense pride in Stefanus’ achievement.
“I am very proud of him because he challenged himself to teach music to deaf pupils. I did that before, but it didn’t work out,” he said.
To fellow educators, Muhammad Hamka had this to say: “Stay grounded and meet pupils where they are.
“When we teach, we think we know everything. If we don’t meet pupils at their level, we won’t know whether they truly understand.”
The RISE Educator Award 2025 – run by Taylor’s College and its student engagement arm, The Risers – received over 1,000 nominations nationwide.
Stefanus was among 10 exceptional teachers shortlisted for their inspiring stories. These teachers were featured on the award’s webpage for public voting, which garnered more than 65,000 votes..
The five finalists with the most votes were then selected: Stefanus, along with Mohd Nur Hifzhan from SK Sungai Passai, Sibu, Sarawak; Dr Mohd Zamri Husaini from SK Kampung Tun Razak, Melaka; Izzat Fahim Ibrahim from SK Tagibang, Kota Marudu, Sabah; and Hallsen Justin from SK Timbua, Ranau, Sabah.
The other four finalists received RM1,000 each, with an additional RM10,000 awarded to their schools.
Commending the recipients at the award ceremony held at Taylor’s College in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on June 14, Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan said they are part of a growing RISE Educator community – individuals whose courage, creativity and commitment continue to elevate education across Malaysia.
“What sets them apart isn’t just innovation, but a deep sense of purpose and an unshakeable belief in their pupils’ potential. Many have brought their visions to life with limited resources, driven not by recognition, but by a desire to make a difference,” she said.
Also present was Education Ministry Educational Resources and Technology Division deputy director Fadzliaton Zainudin, who lauded the initiative’s nationwide impact.
“Whether in underprivileged rural areas, the hustle and bustle of the city, or in educating children with special needs, pupils struggling with poverty, or communities facing various constraints – these educators continue to press on, imparting knowledge and shaping the nation’s future,” she said in her keynote address.
This year’s winner and finalists were selected based on public votes (25% weightage) and by a panel (75% weightage) comprising Tan, Teach For Malaysia chief executive officer Chan Soon Seng, Education Ministry School Management Division deputy director of learning management sector Kartini Sahirin, and RISE Educator of the Year 2024 Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass.
Since its inception in 2021, the RISE Educator Award has celebrated 18 educators and channelled more than RM200,000 in grants and development support to schools across the country.
Teaching with purpose
PURPOSEFUL teaching practices can break barriers and foster meaningful learning for every pupil.
Underscoring the importance of such practices, SK Long Sebangang, Sarawak, teacher and RISE Educator Award 2021 recipient Muhammad Nazmi Rosli said schools can be transformed into platforms for pupil empowerment.
Citing his experience, he noted that hands-on, pupil-driven initiatives empower pupils to think, create and lead.
“We asked our kids to memorise texts for storytelling and act in a stage play,” he shared.
That initiative channelled the pupils’ natural flair for performance into filmmaking, where they found their voice by telling powerful stories about corruption and bullying.
“All we did was give them a platform,” he said, adding, “If you want to crack a mindset, you have to fight your own mindset first.”
Muhammad Nazmi was a panel speaker at the “Empowering Purposeful Learning for All” session during the RISE Educator Conference 2025, which also featured the RISE Educator Award ceremony. The event, held at Taylor’s College on June 14, drew 200 educators.
Teach For Malaysia (TFM) chief executive officer Chan Soon Seng, who was a panellist at the same session as Muhammad Nazmi, stressed that attracting passionate, ambitious individuals to the teaching profession is essential.
“But recruitment is only the beginning. We’ve also got to retain and reward our most talented teachers in the system,” he said, highlighting the importance of ongoing support for educators.
“On top of saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, there’s another common saying – the quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers,” he added.
TFM is an independent nonprofit that runs initiatives to upskill teachers; literacy and numeracy interventions for primary school pupils; and support systems to help teachers design learning experiences tailored to their pupils’ needs.
Weighing in, Projek BacaBaca founder and senior lecturer at Taylor’s University Hema Letchamanan, who was also a panellist, said the purpose of the initiative is to address foundational literacy issues among pupils.
“Many children can read but don’t understand what they’re reading – or they simply can’t read at all, even at 11 or 12 years old,” Hema said.
She noted that the further the initiative progresses, the clearer it becomes that many more pupils need such interventions.
“We started small with 30 pupils. Now, we’ve reached almost 700. But we’re getting a lot of calls from other schools and communities,” she said.
The session was moderated by Pandai head of partnerships Aidiel Mat Isa.
‘Keep going, teachers’
Encouraging words from four finalists of the Rise Educator Award 2025.
“Start small, stay consistent, and lead with heart. Making a difference can be as simple as listening, lending extra time, or trying a new approach. Your impact may not be immediately visible, but it will grow. Take care of yourself too. We are all learning and growing together. Making a difference is not about being perfect, but about showing up with purpose.”
Mohd Nur Hifzhan, SK Sungai Passai, Sibu, Sarawak
Introduced co-curricular activities that took his pupils from a remote school – only reachable by boat – to international competitions
“Teach with love. See your pupils’ worth. Even in the most unexpected places, your quiet efforts may become the loudest and most meaningful part of a child’s life.”
Hallsen Justin, SK Timbua, Ranau, Sabah
Taught pupils in hospital wards, creating a supportive environment for those with chronic conditions
”Continue to follow your passion. Even small changes can leave a big impact on our pupils. Keep striving for better, for the sake of their future.”
Dr Mohd Zamri Husaini, SK Kampung Tun Razak, Melaka
Developed innovative teaching tools that make learning exciting
”Always teach with sincerity. It will give you the drive to keep learning, accept feedback, and find joy in shaping young minds.”
Izzat Fahim Ibrahim, SK Tagibang, Kota Marudu, Sabah
Boosted school spirit through sports, increasing attendance and reducing dropouts
