In a VUCA-BANI world, schools have to manage increasingly polarized views on how to make the best decisions on teaching and learning to cater for the diverse needs of their students. Much effort can be put into implementing a new programme only to have the pendulum swing back to the way things were done before in just a few years. Such pendulum swings can be minimized if we apply Polarity Thinking to tap on the wisdom of multiple perspectives in sense-making before we make important decisions in teaching and learning.
Participants in this introductory workshop will discuss local case studies to distinguish between difficult problems that can be resolved, given sufficient time and effort, and polarities that are unavoidable and unsolvable, but can be leveraged to put the inherent differences in the teams to work best for their schools.
Suggested Pre-Readings
Johnson, Barry (2020). And: Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarity, Paradox or Dilemma, Amherst: HRD Press.
Emerson, Brian & Lewis, Kelly (2019). Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And thinking to Lead Transformation, Washington DC: Paradoxical Press.
Kise, Jane A. G. (2014). Unleashing the Positive Power of Differences: Polarity Thinking in Our Schools, Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Mrs Tan Wan Yu is a Senior Consultant at Principals Academy. A seasoned school leader, she has been deeply involved in professional development initiatives with the Ministry of Education. Over the past four decades, she has found joy in shaping the lives of students and educators across primary, secondary, and pre-university levels, as well as in polytechnics, universities, and the National Institute of Education.
Balancing her leadership roles with raising three active children and a grandchild, Mrs Tan has also made meaningful contributions beyond the school setting. She has supported the Media Literacy Council’s cyber wellness efforts and served as a Council Member of ASCD Singapore, continuing her lifelong passion for education and holistic development.
Course Code: TWY160426
Topic: Navigating Polarities in Teaching and Learning
Presenter(s): Mrs Tan Wan Yu, Principals Academy
Date: 16 April 2026, Thursday
Time: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue: Orchard Hotel
Closing Date: 27 March 2026, Friday
Workshop Fee: S$250.00 per participant (subject to GST).
Please get in touch with Joseph Loy by email at joseph@pai.sg or tel: 6363 0330 if you require further information.
