From MOE Teacher to Education Entrepreneur: The BlueTree Story with Jolene Ang

Meet Jolene Ang, Co-Founder and CEO of BlueTree Education, who transformed her 11 years of MOE teaching experience into a thriving education brand that puts the child first.

When Jolene Ang left her comfortable position as a MOE teacher after 11 years to start BlueTree Education in 2015, many questioned her decision. Today, with six centres across Singapore and a reputation for nurturing students holistically, her journey exemplifies how passion for education can drive meaningful change in the industry.

From Banking to Teaching to Entrepreneurship

Jolene’s path to education entrepreneurship wasn’t linear. After working in New York’s banking sector, she transitioned to teaching, spending 11 years in MOE schools specializing in the Gifted Education Programme (GEP). “I was very happily teaching,” she recalls. “I was well-liked by students, had no problems with parents—they were like my friends.”

Despite her success in the traditional classroom, Jolene felt a deeper calling. Having experienced both the corporate world and Singapore’s education system, she recognized a gap between how children naturally learn and how they were being taught. “I felt that the kids were not learning in the best way for them. I could understand why learning has to take place in such a structured environment in MOE schools, but I wanted something deeper and more meaningful for the children.”

The timing was serendipitous—BlueTree Education was born during her maternity leave with her third child. “BlueTree is as old as my youngest,” she shares with a smile. “It all came together when I was on maternity leave. She was a lovely surprise, and the business just happened alongside it.”

Early Challenges: Building from Scratch

Starting BlueTree wasn’t without its hurdles. Many advised Jolene to set up opposite the school, where she had taught, banking on her established relationships with parents. Instead, she chose to locate her first centre in Bukit Timah, kilometers away from her former school.

“I told myself that since I’m going to do entrepreneurship, let’s do a fresh start,” she explains. “If I depended on the former school students, I would never know whether it was because of my pedagogy that worked or just the existing relationships.”

The challenges were multifaceted. “The first challenge was recruitment and enrollment—that’s universal for entrepreneurs. But more importantly, there was a very steep learning curve. I was a civil servant for 11 years, used to having everything handed to me and following compliance. Suddenly, I had to question everything, learn accounting skills, handle renovations—things teachers never need to know.”

Adding to the complexity, she was managing all this while heavily pregnant with two young children at home, creating the ultimate work-life balance challenge.

The BlueTree Difference: Understanding Each Child

What sets BlueTree apart isn’t just its curriculum but its fundamental approach to understanding students. Drawing from her GEP background, Jolene emphasizes that gifted children—who initially made up a significant portion of her student base—require more than academic support.

“Gifted children don’t need much academic support. They need more regulation of their emotions,” she explains. “When parents come to us, they want holistic, comprehensive help. They want teachers to see their child truly—who they are and what they represent.”

BlueTree’s signature 3E Framework (Explore, Explain, Extend) governs their entire curriculum. “When children come in, the very first thing they do is explore. They don’t do practice papers or learn concepts immediately. We put them on a journey to find out, to explore through meaningful, purposeful play.”

The approach serves all four learning styles—visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic—ensuring every child’s needs are met even in group settings. “We take it slow. We fact-find each child, keep records and documents of every student. We ensure learning is tailored to the child.”

Redefining Success: Beyond Grades

While BlueTree boasts impressive academic results, with most of their students achieve A’s and A*’s—Jolene defines success differently. “Success for me is when we help children find their spark. Once you help them find that spark, the rest follows naturally.”

The center doesn’t conduct placement tests, operating on the principle that “all children can learn.” Their success stories, like Ethan who transformed from scoring below average in Science to achieving AL2 at PSLE, demonstrate their holistic approach. “More importantly, he was transformed from an unmotivated learner to a motivated learner,” Jolene emphasizes.

Common Misconceptions and Industry Evolution

Jolene notes that many parents have misconceptions about enrichment education, particularly regarding gifted programs. “A lot of parents want their child to go to gifted programs, but they don’t really understand that giftedness is a special need—they’re known as twice exceptional.”

Looking ahead, she sees AI significantly impacting the industry, but in positive ways. “There will be greater demand for quality because it’s very easy to check whether work is good quality now. The whole industry is being uplifted.” She’s observed this transformation firsthand, noting how the profession has evolved from the days when some tutors had minimal qualifications to today’s focus on trained, skilled educators.

“Parents are becoming more informed and selective in their choices, which is excellent. If they choose BlueTree, it means they’re certain we’re the best fit for their child.”

Future Vision: Beyond Traditional Subjects

BlueTree now encompasses four brands and concepts, with ambitious plans ahead. “We hope to be Singapore’s most loved brand, at least for math and science,” Jolene shares. But her vision extends beyond traditional tuition—she’s launching a coding school covering AI and blockchain.

“I see my own children and how I teach them at home. I always tell BlueTree kids they’re like my own children too. When I teach my children about financial literacy, I think about how to translate that to my few thousand students.”

Advice for Parents: Patience and Self-Compassion

When asked for advice to parents navigating today’s education landscape, Jolene emphasizes three key points:

Know Your Child’s Identity: “With the changing landscape, I find many children are confused about their identity. I always tell my children who I see them as at this moment. I remind my son, ‘I love it when you’re so good in sports—I see you having fun.’ This helps him understand his identity.”

Practice Self-Forgiveness: “Parents should have a lot of forgiveness and patience with themselves. I see many parents being very hard on themselves, and it bounces off to the kids. We’re all learning and always in progress. Children are incredibly forgiving too.”

Focus on Communication Skills: “Communication skills are more important than ever because how we use AI is about how we prompt and communicate. But communication stems from deliberate thinking. We need to train our thoughts well and use them to our advantage.”

The Heart Behind the Business

Despite BlueTree’s growth to six centers (ranging from 4 to 10 classrooms each), Jolene maintains her core values. Her first staff member and first teacher are still with her, testament to the supportive culture she’s built.

“My greatest blessing is my people because they are so forgiving of my mistakes as a leader. I’m still a work in progress, still learning, but they’re incredibly supportive.”

When asked about her entrepreneurial motto, Jolene laughs: “My favorite phrase is always ‘Don’t kill my dreams.’ Whatever challenges come, I say, don’t kill my dreams.”

A Personal Touch

As our conversation winds down, it’s clear that Jolene’s journey from MOE teacher to successful education entrepreneur isn’t just about business growth—it’s about creating meaningful impact. Whether she’s conducting free parenting workshops, developing future-ready curricula, or simply helping a struggling student find their spark, her commitment to nurturing every child remains unwavering.

“We believe every child can thrive when they’re taught with heart, challenged to think, and supported with care,” she concludes. In a world increasingly focused on results and competition, BlueTree Education stands as a reminder that understanding the child behind the grades is what truly matters.

BlueTree Education operates six centers across Singapore, offering math and science tuition programs built on their unique 3E Framework. For more information about their programs and philosophy, visit their website or contact them directly.