Short & Sweet Singapore>>

Also catch our exclusive interview with STOMP Hotttest Male Teacher Shane Kwek.

Tampines JC student Choo Tze Keong wanted to get something special for his civics tutor this Teachers’ Day, his last before he graduates from the school.

He found what he was looking for in the STOMP Hot Teacher Award.

“It was something money can’t buy,” said the 18-year-old who nominated Ms Lydia Tan for the STOMP Hot Teacher Poll. He then persuaded his classmates and even his former schoolmates to vote for the fresh-faced General Paper teacher.

As it turned out, Tze Keong needn’t have worried about the outcome. Thousands of others were in agreement that Ms Tan is indeed the most attractive teacher among the 12 nominees in this category.

In fact, over 343,693 votes – that’s a whopping 51% of all votes in this category – were for Ms Tan.

How does it feel to be the STOMP Hot Female Teacher?

I’m surprised! Totally shocked. I want to thank everyone who voted for me, especially my beloved form class 05S01. Tze Keong will have to buy chocolates for everyone in class.

Ms Tan’s first form class – 05SO1 in Tampines JC

Is this the most special Teachers’ Day gift you’ve received so far?

It’s quite special, yes, and I’m touched. But, frankly, this pales in comparison to what the class gave me for Teachers’ Day this year. It’s a photo album documenting our time together over these two years, from our first Service Learning Project, our class ‘makan’ sessions to the various inter-class competitions in which I gamely participated with the class. The album ranks high in my list of ‘Most Treasured Possessions of All Time’!

My class girls were champions in the Inter-class Volleyball Championships.

Dinner at Fish & Co to celebrate our victory

Taken during an overseas Community Involvement Program.

Teaching is..

…not for the faint-hearted, the gutless, and the weak. It’s been 21 months of grueling fun so far.

So your students find you hot. Are you flattered or bothered?

I am flattered, but I think my students find me hot because I try to engage them in discussions and make them think during lessons, and they get all hot and bothered when I do that!

Do you think it’s important that a teacher looks good?

It`s important that a teacher looks more than good! A teacher must be indefatigable when thinking of innovative ways of teaching and most importantly have a good rapport with her students.

Did you have a hot teacher when you were a student?

Sure did! I had a fantastic GP teacher when I was in college. The age-old fallacy that teachers are antiquated beings with a stale sense of humour got thrown out of the window after that very first enlightening and captivating lesson.

How do you maintain your good looks?

I jog when I can spare the time to destress and I watch my diet carefully on top of maintaining good personal hygiene.

Are you currently single?

Yes, for more than a year now. But I’m not dating anyone and am enjoying singlehood. I can do what I want to do when I want to do it.

What does a man have to look like or do to catch your attention?

Physically, I’m drawn to men who look sporty, and are preferably taller than me. (Lydia is 1.65m tall.) I’m also drawn to someone who reads widely and enjoys traveling and the outdoors.

Taken on a backpacking trip to Japan in 2004

Fear of heights? Not me!

Tell us what your ideal man is like.

He should be intelligent, kind, understanding, enjoys my sparks of nonsensical tendencies and be an honest and genuine person. But really what’s most important is the chemistry between us. He should not be someone who is afraid of the sun, a couch potato or hates fruits and vegetables!

My ideal man must love the sun, like me!

You received 343,693 nods from the public. Do you ever get approached on the street?

Yes, it happens occasionally. I must say I’m impressed by how bold they are. They can be as young as 18 years old! And I’ve been approached by all sorts – the young, the old, the ugly, the charming, the fat. But I’ve never gone out with any of them. Why? No ‘right’ guy has approached me yet!

Would you approach someone on the street whom you find attractive?

No and I have never done it before. Sometimes I wish I had the courage to, but sadly, my nerves are not steely enough to handle the possible consequences of a raised eyebrow, a glare or a polite rejection. The man on the street is too unpredictable!

Hmm… where do you hang out most of the time?

I enjoy the outdoors, especially jogging and blading. So during the weekends, I`m at East Coast Park or Bedok Reservoir with my buddy. I love hanging out with my sister, who is also very hot, and my close pals to check out vintage clothes and accessories, new dining places and watching movies at The Picturehouse.

My sailor girls.

My sizzlin’ sister.