Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can I ask, for independent schools (usually those boys / girls schools), what does the independent part entail for teachers?

Higher pay and more autonomy on the curriculum? And say, no need to teach home Econs is it?

Depends on whether you are direct hire or under MOE payroll.
School has autonomy, not you. They need to cover curriculum for what's examinable, and have to recite pledge and sing anthem.

Otherwise, sch has autonomy on how to hire and deploy staff. However, it's often the direct hire staff that gets more flexibility in deployment (e.g. reach only niche programme etc).

Direct hire gets "more pay" depending on job scope, but don't have CONNECT and less flexibility for staff to consider different schools etc within the ministry's purview as you are essentially a hired staff under the sch management.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherPrimaryTeacher

I think it goes both ways. I also see a lot of older colleagues belittling younger teachers.

Ultimately, in this meritocratic society, who has the best ability, will eventually rise up, wherever you go to.

As much as some of the younger generation should learn to be respectful towards the older colleagues. Some of the older colleagues also need to learn that they will definitely be replaced eventually, and that it's harder for them to keep up to date with the new changes. Their energy and zeal is just not as much as the young group who has the potential to create new ideas and push for certain things to be done. E.g. receptiveness towards the utilisation of SLS, or hybrid synchronous/asynchronous lessons, differentiation, etc.

Of course there will be that anomaly on both groups. But I am speaking generally, and based on what I have seen over the years, being the 'older' group myself.

Things become more complicated within a smaller pool of KPs and SLs.

During ranking, the older ones will probably hold more authority and influence.

In aspects of general work itself, the more competent and less competent will become obvious over the years. But for aspects of ranking and performance grades where things are not transparent, you do require some element of luck, depending on how the management level (and above) judge things.

When things are not transparent, they breed unhappiness and to some extent, some degree of unfairness and subjectivity.

I attended PFT on 8 Mar and till now havent receive any news. I didnt think i did well for the agility run and cartwheel portion. Is it really difficult to pass it?

[Munchen]

How much is a geo3 FAJt paid per hour?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can I ask, for independent schools (usually those boys / girls schools), what does the independent part entail for teachers?

Higher pay and more autonomy on the curriculum? And say, no need to teach home Econs is it?

Are u looking at direct hire by IS or secondment?
Curriculum wise, it depends on whether u r looking at IP or IB. The kids still do home economics which is now FCE?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Will schools you apply to during open posting be aware of your last performance grade or your performance grade history?
Do schools have a choice in declining officers in closed posting?

Yes Schools will def be aware during Open Posting.

Not sure about closed posting. But usually no such thing as privacy about these things.

With so many stories of teachers quitting, changing to FAJT, what are some reasons that will make you want to stay on as a perm teacher?

Or, what are some changes you hope to see in our system so that you will not consider changing job?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

With so many stories of teachers quitting, changing to FAJT, what are some reasons that will make you want to stay on as a perm teacher?

Or, what are some changes you hope to see in our system so that you will not consider changing job?

Better work-life balance practices like no work-related communication during weekends and holidays will be helpful.

[JustAnotherPrimaryTeacher]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

With so many stories of teachers quitting, changing to FAJT, what are some reasons that will make you want to stay on as a perm teacher?

Or, what are some changes you hope to see in our system so that you will not consider changing job?

I have asked myself this question multiple times. So let me share my 5 cents.

Firstly those are 2 big and very different steps. FAJT vs quitting MOE entirely.

For quitting MOE entirely, I know that I can still find other jobs that to me are personally meaningful, e.g. Social Services. However, I lose the chance to impact people with a skillset that I know I am good at, teaching. This craft is actually not easy to master. But over the years, I know that I have the ability to impact the young ones with my teaching. So this option is out for me.

As for changing to FAJT. The question to consider will definitely be, what is the difference between FAJT and full-fledged. "More flexibility, less pay" is what people usually trade off for FAJT. But you lose a lot of your 'passion' (not the best word to describe, but best-fit imo). I have seen FAJT over the years, just going very strictly by the hour. They won't stay a minute longer, and a lot of the FT-ship stuff falls onto the other FT. So it becomes a bit mechanical to them (no different from teaching tuition outside). So over these years, albeit considering the change to FAJT, I have decided multiple times, to remain, grit my teeth during difficult times, find communities that support you as much as you can also support them.

Hope this provides some insight to your question.

[JustAnotherPrimaryTeacher]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Better work-life balance practices like no work-related communication during weekends and holidays will be helpful.

You can reflect this to your SLs directly. Or SWB/SWC chairperson.

If nothing is done, usually the school staff survey results will show a bad grade on the management. And they will then do something about it since cluster superintendent will question