THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN JOURNEYS SUMMER 2023. 

"Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire."
—W.B. Yeats

It only takes a spark to kindle the flames of inspiration. At Singapore American School, this passion for inspiring others is the guiding light that can set the world ablaze. In this edition of The Ultimate Eagle, we shine the spotlight on two exceptional educators whose steadfast commitment has made a lasting impression on countless students, empowering them to reach new heights and blaze new trails. Paula and Rick Silverman are educators who stand out as shining beacons of expertise and enthusiasm to their students. They left in separate years because of projects they wanted to finish, Rick in 2014 and Paula in 2016. However, the SAS community continues to be inspired by their loyalty and dedication to our shared values, and we strive to follow in their footsteps to leave a lasting impact on those around us.

Paula Silverman: First Dance Teacher at SAS

Paula Silverman's journey is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities and taking risks. Fresh out of college, Paula landed a teaching job in Australia through the Australian government's recruitment program. What started as a quest for interview experience turned out to be a life-changing journey that sparked her love for teaching and travel. She spent two years in Australia and then traveled for over six months across Asia and Europe before returning to the US. She continued teaching, but her thirst for adventure was far from quenched.

While in Australia, Paula met Rick, who was teaching there after being sent to Korea by the army in 1970 and then traveling and climbing in Europe. After getting married, a shared penchant for exploration led the couple to embark on a new adventure. They sought teaching opportunities in Southeast Asia, and after a series of interviews, they were both offered positions at Singapore American School in 1987—Paula as a dance teacher and Rick as an English teacher.

Between 1987 and 1996, Paula Silverman was the driving force behind the dance program at SAS, where she inspired countless students to take to the stage and find their passion in movement. As the first dance teacher at SAS, her influence extended far beyond the school walls, shaping the very landscape of performance arts in the SAS community.

In the 1990s, dance became an integral part of SAS’s performing arts offerings. It was not only an after-school activity but was also offered as a class. The dance program's growth was impressive! What started with a mere handful of students in 1987 expanded to four different levels of dance classes with an enrollment of over 100 students within seven years. By 1989, the school established a tradition of producing two major dance performances each year, one in December and another in the spring.

Silverman's teaching philosophy was centered on leading by example. She never asked her students to attempt anything she herself wouldn't try and refused to let the word 'can't' become a barrier. She encouraged her students to adopt an attitude of persistence and resilience, always saying, “I will endeavor to try, and try, and try.” She truly embodied this when she was challenged by a student to make a three-point basketball shot—if she did, the student would sign up for her dance class! In typical Paula fashion, she rose to the occasion and not only succeeded in making the shot but also convinced this male student to join her previously all-female dance program.This was the remarkable mindset of an extraordinary educator who transformed lives through her commitment to excellence.

After SAS moved campuses from Ulu Pandan to Woodlands in 1996, Paula Silverman stepped up to take on the role of theater coordinator, planning and executing the myriad events and stage productions that take place in the school’s theater facilities. Silverman shares, “One memorable moment for me was when I was asked to write up a theater director/coordinator position and shortly after, I was offered the position. We went from a one-theater experience at Kings Road to being part of the development of four theaters at the Woodlands campus!”

Calm, hardworking, and charmingly affable, Paula Silverman thinks any task worth undertaking should be executed with excellence. And she did just that when she not only played an instrumental role in expanding the school's dance program but also in supporting various theater-related clubs, including the theater tech club, theater makeup club, and usher society. Her vision and leadership have been crucial in building the thriving performing arts community that we see today.

In 2016, SAS upgraded its school auditorium with a cutting-edge acoustic system, thanks to the generosity of an SAS alumna. The donation was made to honor the exceptional teaching and mentorship of Paula Silverman and enabled SASto become the first school in Southeast Asia to install the Meyer Sound Constellation® system. This legacy is a testament to the power of a passionate educator focused on providing the best possible learning experience for generations of Eagles.

Rick Silverman: Unlocking the Joy of English

For many students at SAS, the name Rick Silverman brings back memories of lively English classes and a teacher who always went the extra mile. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English from Colorado State University, he secured a job teaching in a mountain town in the US. His desire to live and work overseas brought him to Australia and then to Singapore, where the Silvermans lived for almost three decades.

Silverman found his passion in introducing students to literature and helping them find their own voice in their writing. He reminisces, “I made an effort to include every student and tried to make English a fun class. When I was a kid I always thought of English as the class we loved to hate. I wanted that to be different for my students.” Part of that drive was to have interesting quotes plastered across every wall in his room.

One of the biggest milestones for Silverman was the move from the King’s Road campus to the Woodlands campus. Although he initially had reservations about the change, he quickly came to appreciate the new campus. He truly believes that despite the constant change, the best thing about SAS is the high quality of its educators. He shares, “I wanted to teach at my colleagues’ level. I also wanted to instill in my students a love for literature and to help them develop their writing abilities.”

Just like his fellow colleagues, Silverman worked hard to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment in his classroom, and he continued to adapt and evolve to keep his students engaged. Years have gone by, and he still receives letters or messages from his students. “A former student shared that he still uses some of the writing principles he learned in my class years before, which made me feel really good,” he reminisced.

Reflecting on his time at SAS, Silverman is proud of the work he did with his students, but remains humble as he mentions, “I’d be presumptuous in assuming that I was directly responsible for their success. I do believe that I, along with my other colleagues, pushed students to improve and do their best.”

After teaching at SAS for almost three decades, the Silvermans retired in 2013 and are currently living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They remain in contact with many of their former students through social media and in-person meetings.

The Silvermans are the embodiment of the Eagle spirit, igniting flames of inspiration that continue to burn bright for generations of Eagles. Their legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of every student who has had the honor of knowing them. They are truly the ultimate Eagles!