Career as Teacher

As a UT, i observed first hand how HODs react when an officer takes MC. This is such an unhealthy workplace to be in. Does MOE encourage school leaders to do this? That is a senior teacher who hardly ever takes MC and is known to go and beyond in her duty.

Is this a norm for other schools? Because i sure as hell dont want to be part of this.

As a HOD myself, I would say definitely not. If you are sick, you need to stay at home and rest. Most bosses are reasonable and understand that everyone falls sick.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

As a UT, i observed first hand how HODs react when an officer takes MC. This is such an unhealthy workplace to be in. Does MOE encourage school leaders to do this? That is a senior teacher who hardly ever takes MC and is known to go and beyond in her duty.

Is this a norm for other schools? Because i sure as hell dont want to be part of this.

If they are that rude, there should be consequences applied for such rudeness. There should be no tolerance for such rudeness and defiance. If school leaders are not supportive then change schools. There are many other students who would appreciate your hard work and care in teaching them.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone. Seeking advice here.

Been feeling very down and burnt out lately. Not because of the workload or work culture, but rather, the attitudes of the students. My school isn’t top tier, but kids are hardworking and do perform well. But their attitude downright sucks - openly defiant towards teachers, sloppy work, and demand for work to be marked FAST and they will tell you that you are paid to do so when you ask for more time. Some even openly tell you that they have tuition teachers, and that’s the reason why they are doing well, not because of your teaching. One kid has never touched the notes, did badly, and told his friends that the notes suck. He made sure that he was loud enough for me to hear.

Recently told students that they need to be more self-directed since no one is paying attention in class knowing that notes are available online. Someone then blatantly shouted and started ranting on how my performance bonus would be cut if they complain and every does badly. Pushed me for an answer, asking if I would want my salary and progression to be affected. These people are potential leaders endorsed by their respective cca or committee teachers. They are but two of the many students who are extremely inconsistent.

I fondly remember how my students from a few years ago. They were not eloquent and academically inclined, but they tried their best and knew that certain boundaries should not be crossed. Granted, they were from another school and not as privileged as these kids, so maybe they cherished opportunities to learn much more as they knew that learning opportunities are hard to come by. I’m thinking of changing schools, but people are telling me it’s like this everywhere.

Thanks for reading. Just had to get this off my chest. Been feeling this way for some time and it’s as if I have lost my bearings. I don’t know why I am in the classroom and spending so much time on lesson prep, only to have students mocking me and my work ethics.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you for saying what needs to be said. I'm grateful to be in the Service. To be fair, current remuneration, benefits, and quanta of 'blocked' leave are generally favourable factors. Most of the public also express respect and support for the profession (insofar as, reciprocally, we uphold the Ethos professionally - barring some bad actors which have been in the press).

But you are right, some malcontents on this forum want to fling baseless claims around. No need to give more ammunition to those with fixed mindsets and tunnel vision. I appreciate that you flagged up, rightfully, that one can criticise the rosy image of the Service easily when one does not see the challenges that are beneath the surface. For example, working overtime. Marking Prelim exam at 4am. Weekend CCA events. None of this is credited as OIL because we have fixed leave system.

Correction: we do not have any leave system. Teachers have no leave.
Protected time, is not the same as leave.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone. Seeking advice here.

Been feeling very down and burnt out lately. Not because of the workload or work culture, but rather, the attitudes of the students. My school isn’t top tier, but kids are hardworking and do perform well. But their attitude downright sucks - openly defiant towards teachers, sloppy work, and demand for work to be marked FAST and they will tell you that you are paid to do so when you ask for more time. Some even openly tell you that they have tuition teachers, and that’s the reason why they are doing well, not because of your teaching. One kid has never touched the notes, did badly, and told his friends that the notes suck. He made sure that he was loud enough for me to hear.

Recently told students that they need to be more self-directed since no one is paying attention in class knowing that notes are available online. Someone then blatantly shouted and started ranting on how my performance bonus would be cut if they complain and every does badly. Pushed me for an answer, asking if I would want my salary and progression to be affected. These people are potential leaders endorsed by their respective cca or committee teachers. They are but two of the many students who are extremely inconsistent.

I fondly remember how my students from a few years ago. They were not eloquent and academically inclined, but they tried their best and knew that certain boundaries should not be crossed. Granted, they were from another school and not as privileged as these kids, so maybe they cherished opportunities to learn much more as they knew that learning opportunities are hard to come by. I’m thinking of changing schools, but people are telling me it’s like this everywhere.

Thanks for reading. Just had to get this off my chest. Been feeling this way for some time and it’s as if I have lost my bearings. I don’t know why I am in the classroom and spending so much time on lesson prep, only to have students mocking me and my work ethics.

If you know that the kid did badly because he didn't touch his notes, then you could have made it a point to counter his comments by pointing out in class how answers could be found in specific parts of your notes, and his failure is due to his refusal to revise. Snide comments could be documented, and reflected in conduct grades and remarks.

Arrogance should be kept in check.

To be a happy and well adjusted teacher, you will need to be strong in mind and body.

Mental resilience plays a big part nowadays.

It is about fighting spirit and not about running away when the going gets tough.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Correction: we do not have any leave system. Teachers have no leave.
Protected time, is not the same as leave.

There is a leave system just like the rest of the Civil Service.
Leave is subject to approval.

s://.straitstimes.com/singapore/teachers-need-not-share-personal-contact-numbers-answer-messages-after-school-hours-chan-chun-sing

teachers no good

Is there a bowing culture in school? A BT walking past a senior teacher bowed halfway. Is this an unspoken rule in teaching industry? Im curious to know before i decide to sign on to NIE. Seems pretty outdated and backward to me.