Beyond the Books: A PhD in Law’s Perspective on Empowering Young Students Through Education
Back in 2017, I left the courtroom and entered the classroom. I co-founded Think Teach Academy with a simple mission: to make education smarter, bolder, and better. Since then, I’ve never looked back.
If you’ve read my first article (and if you haven’t, I’d suggest starting there), you’ll know I didn’t leave law because I disliked the work. On the contrary, I enjoyed the demands of legal practice. I left because I believed I could contribute more by changing the way young people learn.
And yet, just when people thought I had left the legal path for good, I did something unexpected.
In fact, I did two things.
First, I made the decision to pursue a PhD in Law.
And second—I launched MACRO Academy, a new initiative designed to support students beyond the primary years and guide them through the complex demands of secondary education and life thereafter.
Cue the questions:
“Wait, aren’t you already running a full-time education company?”
“Isn’t a PhD one of the most gruelling academic pursuits?”
And my personal favourite—“Why would you put yourself through that again?”
The answer is simple: because the mission matters.
And because I believe that what we’re building—at both Think Teach Academy and now MACRO Academy—is worth it.
A Legal Mindset, An Educational Mission
Many see law and education as separate worlds. I’ve always seen them as deeply intertwined. A legal education doesn’t just teach you rules—it teaches you how to argue with clarity, write with precision, and think with relentless discipline. And these are exactly the qualities I bring into the classroom.
When I design curriculum, mentor teachers, or work directly with students—it’s the lawyer in me that asks:
“What’s the best way to present this idea?”
“Is the student thinking critically?”
“Have we anticipated the counterargument?”
My background in law helps me build frameworks, not just worksheets. It pushes us to teach students how to think, not just what to think. And my pursuit of a PhD only deepens this—sharpening my ability to navigate complex systems, to research thoroughly, and to build knowledge that is not only rigorous but relevant.
And yes, the PhD is demanding—hours of reading, writing, revising, and rethinking. But it is also a privilege. I’m fortunate to pursue it under a scholarship from Singapore Management University, which allows me to immerse myself in this intellectual journey while continuing to lead and grow our educational mission.
From Primary to Post-PSLE: Expanding the Vision
At Think Teach Academy, we’ve always focused on helping primary school students build strong academic foundations—particularly in preparation for the PSLE. But over the years, a new pattern emerged.
Parents began asking us: “What’s next after P6?”
And we noticed something important—many of our most hardworking, high-performing P6 graduates struggled once they entered secondary school.
Not because they lacked capability, but because the demands had shifted:
More subjects
More independence
More complexity in both thinking and communication
We realised they didn’t just need tuition. They needed mentorship, strategy, and a safe space to continue growing—not just as students, but as thinkers and individuals.
That’s why we started MACRO Academy.
Where Think Teach builds the foundation, MACRO builds the future.
We focus on advanced thinking skills, real-world application, interview readiness, current affairs, and the mindset shifts needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Education Beyond the Conventional
We’ve always said we’re not in the business of rote learning. We believe in smart thinking, deep understanding, and purpose-driven education. This means our teaching doesn’t stop at scoring well—it extends to helping students ask better questions, think critically, and communicate clearly.
Many parents tell me their children can memorise content, yet still stumble when asked to explain, reason, or reflect. They ace worksheets, but freeze in interviews. They score high, but lack direction.
This is where we step in—not just to fill academic gaps, but to guide students toward clarity, curiosity, and confidence.
So, Why the PhD?
Because the mission hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s evolved.
Pursuing a PhD isn’t about chasing another title. It’s about challenging myself to push the boundaries of what we know about learning, thinking, and leading—and bringing those insights back into the classroom, where they matter most.
It’s also about showing students that learning doesn’t end after an exam. It doesn’t end after PSLE. It’s lifelong—and it’s powerful.
Whether I’m standing in front of a classroom, building curriculum at MACRO, or refining my research for the PhD, I carry one goal:
To help students learn not just for school—but for life.
At Think Teach and MACRO, we’re not preparing students for a single test.
We’re preparing them to meet the future—with rigour, resilience, and readiness.
And if my journey helps even one child step into that future with more belief in themselves, then every moment of it is worth it.