Gary Alexander Tan Email & Phone Number

Singapore

Singapore

As the Head of Learning Horizon at Busy Bees Asia, I strategically drive initiatives to elevate enrichment programs, resulting in heightened revenue and improved EBITDA. These programs not only enhance educational standards but also attract a broader student base, positively impacting our financial performance and serving as a key differentiator in our competitive market.I have played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and executing initiatives that extend the reach and impact of enrichment programs, both within Busy Bees' brand portfolio and through collaborative ventures with external partners. These endeavors significantly broaden the scope and accessibility of enrichment opportunities, both within and beyond the Busy Bees community.Throughout my leadership tenure at Busy Bees Asia, I achieved notable milestones in company diversification and regional expansion. Spearheading the company's entry into the retail and STEAM sectors, I strategically guided initiatives that broadened our business horizons, resulting in substantial growth. Additionally, my efforts facilitated the regionalization of operations, particularly in Malaysia and Vietnam, highlighting my commitment to expanding Busy Bees Asia's influence across various industries and geographic boundaries.From 2018 to 2020, the Hanoi Education Department contracted me to lead teacher training initiatives in STEAM education, showcasing my expertise and leadership in the field. As a panelist at the 2020 RHT CABA Summit, I contributed valuable insights to the discussion on "Technology and its Impact on Education." Furthermore, I had the privilege of serving as a keynote speaker at the 2017 Global Leader's Summit in Abu Dhabi, addressing the topic of "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Our Children". These engagements underscore my dedication to staying abreast of educational advancements and actively contributing knowledge within the industry.

Singapore

In my role with STEM Academia, my responsibilities span diverse facets of business development and management.I provide crucial support in the research and development of comprehensive business plans, marketing strategies, and related developmental requirements. This involves a meticulous evaluation of STEM Academia's financial and business status to assess the viability of proposed initiatives. I provide guidance on micro and small business management practices, methods, and techniques, contributing to the enhancement of STEM Academia's operational efficiency.In the area of financial assessment, I rigorously evaluate business proposals, considering both financial and business perspectives, to ensure alignment with STEM Academia's objectives and long-term sustainability. This has resulted in STEM Academia consistently achieving its revenue and EBITDA targets.This comprehensive approach underscores my commitment to fostering strategic growth, financial sustainability, and operational excellence within the realm of STEM Academia's business initiatives.

Hanoi

As the Head Trainer in STEAM education, I conducted comprehensive training sessions for 2,000 educators from government preschools in the Hanoi city area. My approach involved tailoring international STEAM methodologies to align seamlessly with the Vietnamese education framework and adhere to the budgetary guidelines of the education system.The training sessions were well-received, with positive feedback from participants and several schools expressing interest in advanced STEAM training even after the completion of the contract. The success of the program underscores my ability to effectively localize and implement educational methodologies, fostering enthusiasm and demand for continued professional development within the STEAM education domain.

Singapore

As a co-founder of the Enrichment Ark, I dedicated myself to the mission of imparting technological learning and 21st-century skills to empower students for the future. A comprehensive analysis of the enrichment market segment revealed numerous companies offering intriguing programs, yet many fell short in demonstrating practical application beyond mere adherence to instructions. At the Enrichment Ark, our approach was distinctive. We meticulously designed programs to empower children to cultivate six crucial future skills, utilizing the Microsoft SRI 21CLD framework.The success of these programs was evident when the Enrichment Ark was acquired by BusyBees Asia in April 2018.My key achievements with the Enrichment Ark was in cultivating the company's culture and overarching vision, focused on delivering effective future skills education to K-12 students and adults through continual professional development. Building in the vision, I strategically steered the company's direction to achieve financial profitability within three months of its inception.At the strategic level, I identified and addressed challenges and opportunities for the company, demonstrating my ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of the education industry. I oversaw the creation of diverse business opportunities with domestic and overseas clients and partners, including education institutes in Shanghai and Japan. This created an environment conducive to exceptional performance and positive morale, resulting in financial profitability with an annualized profit margin of 34% and maintaining a 100% retention rate for essential staff roles.These achievements reflect my commitment to pioneering innovative educational approaches and ensuring the Enrichment Ark's success on both strategic and operational fronts.

Shanghai, China

I collaborate closely with the CEO, contributing to key initiatives that drive the educational vision of the organization. My responsibilities include:Curriculum Development: I actively source and meticulously review enrichment curriculum, emphasizing the cultivation of future skills in students. This involves identifying and incorporating cutting-edge educational methodologies to ensure the curriculum aligns with contemporary educational standards.Edutech Integration: I play a pivotal role in sourcing, integrating, and evaluating the use of educational technology platforms alongside enrichment curriculum. This involves staying abreast of technological advancements and strategically aligning them with the curriculum to enhance the overall learning experience.Stakeholder Reporting: A critical aspect of my role involves providing comprehensive reports to PE shareholders on the progress of both curriculum development and edutech integration. This includes highlighting achievements, challenges, and future strategies to ensure transparency and alignment with organizational goals.Through these responsibilities, I contribute to the organization's commitment to providing innovative and effective educational experiences, positioning it at the forefront of educational excellence and technological integration.

Singapore

As a curriculum advisor, I lead the oversight of diverse curriculum programs, ensuring their alignment with the company's curriculum objectives. This involves strategic planning and collaboration with educational experts to create programs that meet both academic standards and the evolving needs of students.Program Viability Assessment: I provide valuable insights into the viability of program activities, offering suggestions for improvement in areas that warrant refinement. This involves a comprehensive analysis of program effectiveness, aiming to enhance the overall educational experience for students.Edutech Platform Enhancement: I actively engage in the review and improvement of edutech platforms, aiming to create a seamless and engaging learning environment for students. This includes staying updated on technological advancements, optimizing platform usage, and integrating innovative features to elevate the overall quality of lessons delivered.Through these responsibilities, I contribute to the continuous improvement of curriculum offerings and the effective integration of educational technology, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of providing a dynamic and enriching educational experience for students.

In my role at the Keys Academy, I coordinated a diverse curriculum encompassing Academic STEM subjects, Future Skills enrichment, and College admissions. This involved aligning teaching pedagogy and assessment methods with the educational philosophy upheld by the Keys Academy. Additionally, I strategically managed the organization's performance using the Balanced Scorecard approach, ensuring a holistic perspective on success through both Academic and Non-academic Key Performance Indicators.My responsibilities extended to academic finance and resource management, overseeing the efficient allocation of resources to support the Academy's educational objectives. As part of curriculum design, I created leadership courses based on an experiential model, incorporating 'externships' with SMEs in Singapore. These courses included "Basic Leadership for Students," "Fundamentals of Good Leadership," "Delegating for Success," and "Change Management."Between 2016 and 2017, as part of my contribution to international education understanding of STEAM education, I spoke on "Designing Technology-based Curriculum" with ISA in Japan, followed by presentations on "STEM and 21st Century Skills in Education" at the Japanese School Singapore and "STEM and its Relevance in Pre-school Education" with Poppins Group, Japan. similarly, I conducted a professional development workshop on "Incorporating Technology use in 21st Century Curriculum" at GIIS Abu Dhabi.

Crescent Girls' School

I have achieved notable milestones in education, spearheading initiatives that have left a lasting impact on both pedagogy and student development. One key accomplishment was the successful implementation of the Model United Nations Conference as a level-wide pedagogy for Social Studies learning. I not only expanded this innovative program but also introduced a train-the-trainers initiative, benefiting teachers and students from various secondary schools in Singapore. My commitment to advancing educational methodologies was further demonstrated when I presented "ICT Supported Model United Nations Conference for Humanities Education" at the International Conference for Teaching and Learning with Technology in 2014.Additionally, I conceptualized and developed a comprehensive Talent Development Programme for the school. This three-year initiative incorporated the integration of the Future Problem Solving Programme and subject-based research along with philosophy modules, fostering holistic student development. Collaborating with Chiang Mai University, I played a crucial role in establishing an ASEAN learning lecture series for students in the Talent Development Programme, enhancing their exposure to regional perspectives.Furthermore, I actively contributed to the school's strategic direction by serving alongside school leaders in the conceptualization of the school Action Plan. These achievements underscore my dedication to advancing educational practices, fostering student development, and contributing to the overall growth of educational institutions.

Queensway Secondary School

I have played a pivotal role in enhancing the study of Humanities subjects by integrating common themes across Social Studies, Geography, and History. This approach enables students to recognize shared foundations and apply consistent analytic techniques across disciplines. My strategy contributed to a significant improvement in the school's performance in the Cambridge "Ordinary" level examination for Humanities subjects.An integral part of my achievements includes fostering international collaborations. I successfully facilitated Memorandums of Understanding between Queensway Secondary School and educational institutions in Japan (Kurihara Education District in Sendai) and in Indonesia (SMPN 115 and SMPN 1). These partnerships aimed to promote cultural exchange and enrich the educational experiences of students.Furthermore, I actively participated in the development of the school's strategic planning and review processes. This included the monitoring of Balanced Scorecard 2.0 Key Performance Indicators and Reviews, contributing to the school's overall performance and growth.As a testament to my commitment to professional development, I presented "Experiential Learning and its Planning Processes" to the graduating Geography cohort of 2011 at Nanyang Technological University, sharing insights on effective learning methodologies.In partnership with National Parks, National Environment Agency, and Singapore Environmental Council, I successfully co-planned and implemented the National Assembly of Youths for the Environment Conferences in 2011 and 2012. These conferences, involving schools from Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, aimed to foster environmental awareness and collaboration among students.

Queensway Secondary School

• Improved the school Geography mean subject grades by 1.1. • Planned and implemented the field research programme for the upper secondary geography students to create engagement and better understanding of geography phenomena. • Planned and implemented annual field investigation trips to Western Australia and Malaysia for Geographical learning.

Queensway Secondary School

• Successful implemented the School Cockpit student monitoring system for the school together with the MOE School Cockpit group. • Introduced ICT assisted pedagogy and mobile learning in class through the use of tablets and Personal Digital Assistants.

Queensway Secondary School

• Successfully planned, implemented, monitored and improved student understanding of Geography through a 5 year fieldwork research programme on forest micro-climate at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.• Awarded Singapore Green Leaf Award (Individual) in 2002 for outstanding environmental protection and conservation in Singapore.• Presented "The use of GIS and Spatial Analytical Techniques in establishing School Catchment Areas in Urban Singapore" at International ESRI GIS Day 2001.• Presented "The use of GIS in the Delineation of Forest Micro-climate" at International ESRI GIS Day 2002.

Masters Of Arts (M.A.), Educational Management

• Recipient of MOE's post-graduate award for Masters course. • Emphasis in Organisational Development and Backward Design pedagogy.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Honours 2Nd Upper, Geography And English Language

• Awarded Local Scholarship by Ministry of Education in 1999 • Top Geography student in the cohort of 2000. • Co-published ".

Diploma, Education