Career as Teacher

[JustAnotherPrimaryTeacher]

Originally Posted by burntsunshine

That’s that mean, even if I’m interested to further in leadership or teaching track, I’ll not be able to do so cause of my starting point? Feels like I’m doing so much more than required to just prove myself? I don’t know, feeling quite burnout, though I love what I do.

It is still possible to move further into leadership or teaching track for sure. That one is about potential and capability, regardless of starting point. Just that your pay gap from the start, is already apparent. So in order to catch up, you just take longer (understandably) as compared to a degree holder with similar or slighly lower potential than you.

E.g. currently my position and someone else in the same position, the pay differs by about 1+k. I am a degree holder, 14YOE. The other person currently is 25YOE, she was a dip holder who after that went for adv dip in NIE, and subsequently crossover programme to finish as degree (only after about 10 YOE). So you can tell even after she got emplaced onto degree at 10YOE, there is still a pay gap somehow, albeit the gap may be smaller by a bit because over the years my MI etc would have also been higher than her.

Anyway, regardless, still not comparable to outside sectors. So I'm not staying in service or my position just for the pay anyway. There's still impact that I feel I can deliver at my age.

But yup I agree. One of the flaws of civil service is this pay gap between dip and degree, and the difficulty to catch up as compared to outside sectors.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Is performance grade usually a default C if one only works the first few months of the year and go on leave (e.g. hospitalisation, NPL) thereafter?

Between half-year FAJT (take NPL) and part-time (50-60%), which is better financial and workload wise? GEO 4 here. Thanks!

Default C depends on school, some school practise it for long absences, some do not. "long" absence is also subjective, and it also depends which period you are away + how much work you do when you are around. School can also choose not to rank you. Please ask your RO/SLs.

Recommend to ask for part-time first, then if still cannot cope, go for NPL. You retain your YIS, bonus and other benefits. Take it step by step.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

A: 2.8-3.5
B: 2.25-2.75
C+: 1.55-2.2
C: 1.1-1.5
C-: 0.5

If you got a C, is your quantum close to 1 5? Usually in such cases, RO did fight for you, but other KPs did not support moving you to the next PerfGrade. In this case, it's impt to develop more visibility to other KPs.

End of day, workplaces do not reward loyalty, move to a school that values you. You have free will

Uh thanks for the insight. I got a 1.35. During EPMS, my RO did say he saw alot of potential in me. My the other boss is my committee boss, She is the one who gave me lots of coordinator roles. Not sure she got fight for me or not. Suspect she did not. Cause my RO wrote many positive things abt me on the EPMS, it’s consistent as what he discussed with me.

Hi, I would like to seek some advice relating to career progression.

I am currently a middle manager with a middle-manager portfolio. I am grateful to have had good mentors who have guided me along the way.

Here's my question:
1) Is it true that people who go to MLS have to commit to the school for 2 years?

2) If so, is MLS worth it in terms of career progression? Currently, I am 37 years old.

I am asking because this is my fourth year in my current school, and I was thinking of applying via APEX this year or next. However, my RO has told me that I will be going to MLS soon. If I do go MLS, then by the time I complete the commitment period, I will be due for KP rotation.

Worried about the commitment period.

Yet, if I change school, I would need to be reassessed by the new school, and MLS might be at a later stage.

Some context of my background:

Studies: Undergrad FCH, on MOE Teaching scholarship (overseas). Completed my master's as well.

PGDE (Dec 2016 - Apr 2018)
Fully trained teacher - (Apr 2019) - GEO 2
GEO 3 - 2020
GEO 4 - 2021
GEO 5 - 2025


PB background
2019 - C
2020 - B (Assessment year (AY) 2019 - GEO 3 NS emplacement)
2021 - A (AY 2020, promoted to GEO4)
2022 - C (AY 2021, 1st year in HQ via open posting)
2023 - C+ (AY 2022)
2024 - B (AY 2023, posted back to school, appointed HOD)
2025 - A (AY 2024, promoted to GEO 5)
2026 - B (AY 2025)

I know I am fortunate, and I know many people have had "bad" bosses or so. I do aspire to be a school leader and pay forward the guidance and mentorship I have received. I am not sure if delaying MLS (or even if MLS is necessary) is necessary for the next career progression.

Appreciate some words of wisdom.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, I would like to seek some advice relating to career progression.

I am currently a middle manager with a middle-manager portfolio. I am grateful to have had good mentors who have guided me along the way.

Here's my question:
1) Is it true that people who go to MLS have to commit to the school for 2 years?

2) If so, is MLS worth it in terms of career progression? Currently, I am 37 years old.

I am asking because this is my fourth year in my current school, and I was thinking of applying via APEX this year or next. However, my RO has told me that I will be going to MLS soon. If I do go MLS, then by the time I complete the commitment period, I will be due for KP rotation.

Worried about the commitment period.

Yet, if I change school, I would need to be reassessed by the new school, and MLS might be at a later stage.

Some context of my background:

Studies: Undergrad FCH, on MOE Teaching scholarship (overseas). Completed my master's as well.

PGDE (Dec 2016 - Apr 2018)
Fully trained teacher - (Apr 2019) - GEO 2
GEO 3 - 2020
GEO 4 - 2021
GEO 5 - 2025


PB background
2019 - C
2020 - B (Assessment year (AY) 2019 - GEO 3 NS emplacement)
2021 - A (AY 2020, promoted to GEO4)
2022 - C (AY 2021, 1st year in HQ via open posting)
2023 - C+ (AY 2022)
2024 - B (AY 2023, posted back to school, appointed HOD)
2025 - A (AY 2024, promoted to GEO 5)
2026 - B (AY 2025)

I know I am fortunate, and I know many people have had "bad" bosses or so. I do aspire to be a school leader and pay forward the guidance and mentorship I have received. I am not sure if delaying MLS (or even if MLS is necessary) is necessary for the next career progression.

Appreciate some words of wisdom.

My advice is to stay in your current school and go for MLS. It’s unspoken that you need to clear MLS before being surfaced for VPship. During MLS, you will have participants from HQ instead of schools because they are going to be VP after the HQ stint

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Here's my question:
1) Is it true that people who go to MLS have to commit to the school for 2 years?

2) If so, is MLS worth it in terms of career progression? Currently, I am 37 years old.

Yes, expected to stay on for 2y after MLS. That said, HR postings will override this - so it shouldn't delay possible VP-ship.

Based on observation, MLS doesn't really have any impact on progression. Plenty of SLs have not gone through it.

You can probably consider if, at this juncture, you'd prefer to start at a new school or take the development break. If you're currently doing well in your current posting (A/B as HOD, with offer to go on MLS) it should be good to stay on? Especially if you're happy there with good ROs/mentors. You can also try being candid with your RO about SL aspirations - they're probably best positioned to advise better.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My advice is to stay in your current school and go for MLS. It’s unspoken that you need to clear MLS before being surfaced for VPship. During MLS, you will have participants from HQ instead of schools because they are going to be VP after the HQ stint

To my knowledge, MLS involves KPs frm schools. Doubt HQ officers are there cos we have our own and KPIs to hit. Unless this author meant the KPs were once HQ officers.

To be an SL, one should have been earmarked earlier (by CEP previously), and identified earlier in their teaching years to go for Facilitates HQ posting (scholar or high CEP non scholar) or be on the FLP programme (scholar).To farm and rise up to SL frm normal teacher > KP, very arduous and not high probability though heard stories that its possible

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Uh thanks for the insight. I got a 1.35. During EPMS, my RO did say he saw alot of potential in me. My the other boss is my committee boss, She is the one who gave me lots of coordinator roles. Not sure she got fight for me or not. Suspect she did not. Cause my RO wrote many positive things abt me on the EPMS, it’s consistent as what he discussed with me.

I think you have surfaced the issue. Try to get more KPs to advocate for you - think about your YH, CCA HOD, Comm KP.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My advice is to stay in your current school and go for MLS. It’s unspoken that you need to clear MLS before being surfaced for VPship. During MLS, you will have participants from HQ instead of schools because they are going to be VP after the HQ stint

Agree, your current school fits you and support your growth, stay if they continue to grow you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Default C depends on school, some school practise it for long absences, some do not. "long" absence is also subjective, and it also depends which period you are away + how much work you do when you are around. School can also choose not to rank you. Please ask your RO/SLs.

Recommend to ask for part-time first, then if still cannot cope, go for NPL. You retain your YIS, bonus and other benefits. Take it step by step.

Thanks very much for your advice Work done is in first 4 months of school (i.e. not much impact on dept and comm work). If I choose to work part-time, it will be taken into account for performance grading? This is where I wonder if I will be disadvantaged at ranking (if they choose to do so). Thanks!