Meet the Canopy Team

Desmond

(Co-founder)

Hi, I'm Desmond, co-founder of Canopy, which I run alongside my wife, Michele. I began my career in education as a PSC-MOE scholar, and over the past 25 years, I’ve worked with children and youth as a Science and Math educator.

Today, I lead our team at Canopy with a focus on three things:

1) Building a strong and thoughtful curriculum

2) Hiring the teachers with the right combination of heart and skill

3) Giving them the tools and support to succeed

I’ve always believed that a good education program should feel right for the child. Too often student care centres fall into the “nanny plus tuition” model, but I’ve never been comfortable with that. As we journey with the child from P1 to PSLE, the process by which supporting the child is as important as the outcome itself.

And even if the education experience is not 100% idealised for every child's individual differences, the children can feel that it is a rewarding experience. I hope that we can kind of push towards a path where that rarity becomes the norm.

Teacher Michele

(Co-Founder, Principal)

Hi everyone, I’m Michele, co-founder of Canopy.

In the classroom, I lead children to see the best version of themselves and work alongside them to reach shared goals.

I stretch them academically, help them grow in awareness of how they impact and support those around them, and guide them to become confident, thoughtful communicators. I see mistakes as valuable learning moments, and I make sure every child knows that their voice, curiosity, and effort truly matter.

Teacher Mel

Center Director

Teacher Mel has experience in education and centre leadership, with a strong background in operations, guiding teams, and partnering with parents.

Her expertise includes designing and overseeing programmes that support learning, wellbeing, and personal growth in a safe and structured environment.

With a Master’s in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) and advanced training in Inclusive Education, she is passionate about helping every child build confidence, develop strong study habits, and grow into independent learners. She is committed to support Canopy to continue to be a trusted space where students are supported both academically and personally, while families feel connected and reassured.

Teacher Brenda

Assistant Teacher

Teacher Brenda is an experienced student care teacher, and she specialises in supporting children in their learning and daily routines- from homework guidance to enrichment activities, she seeks to help children build confidence and friendships. She is also pursuing related courses, showing her commitment to learning and growing.

“Every child learns differently, and I hope to support them with patience and care as I grow in this role.” - Teacher Brenda

Teacher Yeo

Asst. Center Manager
Head of Academic Program

I hold a degree in Statistics and have been teaching for over 8 years. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to manage a student care centre, which was even awarded one of the ‘Top 5 Model Centres’ in 2019. Before that, I was a Centre Manager at an abacus centre, where I also taught Mathematics to primary-level students at its affiliated tuition branch.

What truly inspired me to become a teacher was seeing so many children struggle with their homework and feel frustrated. I never want my students to simply rush to find the correct answers — I want them to truly understand the concepts behind each problem. That’s why I focus on breaking down complicated mathematical ideas in a way that’s easy to grasp and enjoyable for my students.

My teaching style is structured but also flexible. Every lesson is tailored to suit each child’s pace, and I make sure to include fun, engaging activities along the way. My goal is to help them build strong habits, a genuine love for learning, and a sense of confidence. More than anything, I want them to not just understand the concepts, but also enjoy the learning process itself.

I’m especially passionate about curriculum design, creative lesson planning, and helping my students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Even outside of teaching, I often find myself coming up with new ideas for academic activities that will inspire and challenge my students.

Teacher Ting En

Lower Primary Teacher

Teacher Ting En believes that the core is to educate, not just teach. For her, education is more than filling children’s minds with knowledge — it’s about nurturing lifelong learning and problem-solving skills.

In the classroom, she focuses on building an inclusive and inspiring environment where every child feels seen, understood, and supported.

More than helping with studies, Teacher Ting En hopes to guide children as they grow into independent learners who are curious, confident, and passionate about the future.