Career as Teacher

Heard from a colleague. Diploma holder.

2013: BT fresh grad
2017 GEO 3
2019 GEO 4

With 2 maternity in between and average grades C+ usually

Just to encourage those who are diploma holders and still waiting

HI, I'm a GEO 2 (Dip Trained Teacher) and will be completing my 4 full years of teaching by July 2019. Hence, I'd be in my 5th year when I get my CONNECT Plan in Dec 2019. May I check how to find the details of CONNECT Plan in the HRMS?

BTW, I'm a mid-career switch teacher. Left Citibank 6 years ago where I drew a base pay of $3300 as a degree holder. I joined teaching to be more hands on with my passion for Art, knowing that they don't recognise my RMIT Biz Mgt Bachelor degree. However, I probably made the greatest mistake in my life, because, till now, my gross monthly pay is only $3075.

I've been working very hard at school and have gotten B, B performance grades, another B this year. Last promotion from GEO 1 to GEO 2 was 2 years ago. Just very tired. I'm the lowest rank but the most experienced GEO in the prefectorial board. Planned and ran the Sec 1 Orientation camp myself. Had to train the students to be camp facilitators on my own too. Finally gotten my promotion to GEO3 as per informed today. Wondering what will my salary revision be like. Hope its substantial.

Have been studying part time for the past 3 years for bachelor degree for Art Education with Management at SUSS, completing it by June this year. Even then, upon my email enquiries, HR said there won't be any changes to my pay grade after I get a recognised degree because Diploma holders and Degree holders' pay scales have been merged. But obviously I'm getting the lower end of the scale.

I enjoy my time with students. I generally like the nature of the job. But the trade off at the salary department has been proving to be too great. Any advice from the experienced teachers here?

Thank you!

I have been in service for 6+ years, 2 Bs, 1 C, 3 C+ - usually PB at the high end of the grade, eg 2.2 for C+. However, I’m still GEO3, while others who came in a year after, with lower PBs, have been promoted to GEO4 today.

I feel frustrated because I coordinate and do all the prep for most levels for my subject, with T&L being cited as a strength in EPMS. My HOD says the school cannot control promotion rate and it’s up to HQ, so he has no insight into why my promotion is slow.

Does anyone have any advice?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How much was the pay increase and to which grade?

To GEO5.

I will only know when I see next month's statement.

Verbally informed by P and they do not provide the details on increment

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To GEO5.

I will only know when I see next month's statement.

Verbally informed by P and they do not provide the details on increment

Thanks for replying and congratulations again!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have been in service for 6+ years, 2 Bs, 1 C, 3 C+ - usually PB at the high end of the grade, eg 2.2 for C+. However, I’m still GEO3, while others who came in a year after, with lower PBs, have been promoted to GEO4 today.

I feel frustrated because I coordinate and do all the prep for most levels for my subject, with T&L being cited as a strength in EPMS. My HOD says the school cannot control promotion rate and it’s up to HQ, so he has no insight into why my promotion is slow.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hmm, could it be down to paper qualifications? Don’t be disheartened! Continue to give your best for the students and i’m sure you will be rewarded one day!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To GEO5.

I will only know when I see next month's statement.

Verbally informed by P and they do not provide the details on increment

I am making a Guess of $530 including merit increment

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have been in service for 6+ years, 2 Bs, 1 C, 3 C+ - usually PB at the high end of the grade, eg 2.2 for C+. However, I’m still GEO3, while others who came in a year after, with lower PBs, have been promoted to GEO4 today.

I feel frustrated because I coordinate and do all the prep for most levels for my subject, with T&L being cited as a strength in EPMS. My HOD says the school cannot control promotion rate and it’s up to HQ, so he has no insight into why my promotion is slow.

Does anyone have any advice?

I can understand your frustration; I would feel the same way if I were in your shoes.

Your HOD is right - promotion rate is ultimately up to HQ. However, HQ is unlikely to deny promotion to a deserving officer who consistently attains 'C' grade or better. To HQ, a 'C' grade is considered a 'promotable' grade (i.e. an officer who gets a 'C' or above is eligible for promotion).

Your promotion could be slow because of your CEP. Officers with higher CEPs tend to get promoted faster because there're more rungs up the ladder for them to climb (if they want to). Thus, if your CEP is low, HQ may feel there's no point in promoting you so early, because ultimately you have fewer rungs of the ladder to climb. I'm not saying that this is fair, it is what it is...

CEP is confidential, so don't put your RO in a spot by asking him/her to reveal it to you! Rather, consider discussing with your RO how else you can contribute besides T&L, and then cross your fingers, and hope that he/she will be your advocate come ranking season.

I wish you all the best... I'm a HOD and a Reporting Officer too, btw.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have been in service for 6+ years, 2 Bs, 1 C, 3 C+ - usually PB at the high end of the grade, eg 2.2 for C+. However, I’m still GEO3, while others who came in a year after, with lower PBs, have been promoted to GEO4 today.

I feel frustrated because I coordinate and do all the prep for most levels for my subject, with T&L being cited as a strength in EPMS. My HOD says the school cannot control promotion rate and it’s up to HQ, so he has no insight into why my promotion is slow.

Does anyone have any advice?

Similar plight. In service since Jun 2012, still a GEO 3 despite given leadership role. My HOD said it could be because I did not show desire to take on position in the early stage of my career.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Similar plight. In service since Jun 2012, still a GEO 3 despite given leadership role. My HOD said it could be because I did not show desire to take on position in the early stage of my career.

Are you aware if your CEP is being adjusted? I heard from an ex P before that it might not be a good thing if CEP is adjusted just before your likely promotion year, even if it is upwards. When CEP is adjusted up, or if you have a new appointment, it might slow you down on promotion for the time-being, but you should catch up eventually.

Not sure how true this is though because I don't have cases at the moment to compare this.