Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually it is already communicated to us that appraisal is mainly based on the level of impact. Might sound like priorities are misplaced but the hint is there.

If you just focus on teaching your class well, the impact, at the end of the day, is only on your class. You can make the impact greater by sharing what you have done with your class with other teachers in your level and ensuring they carry it out with their classes. That way, your impact will be increased to level-wide instead of just on your class only.

Granted, it is not easy to do this cos you will need the support of your level teachers and a certain level of influence. But this is one way to kill two birds with one stone.

After attending sharings at school, cluster, zonal, and even national level, you come to realize that classroom teaching is more or less the same.

It is a people-job, and ultimately boils down to classroom time, practice, and consistency in students' effort.

There is no substitute for giving work, and marking work.

A class that do more work, gets their work marked promptly and getting the needed feedback, will do better than a class with less work, and less feedback.

Every few years they will introduce new fads, and teachers will rush to follow.
Like using ict tools such as padlet, kahoot, mentimeter in lessons.

And then latest fad is to change the way lesson plans are designed.

But if we look at the flow of lessons, it's always essentially about teaching-class work- homework.

Same stuff, just packaged differently.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

After attending sharings at school, cluster, zonal, and even national level, you come to realize that classroom teaching is more or less the same.

It is a people-job, and ultimately boils down to classroom time, practice, and consistency in students' effort.

There is no substitute for giving work, and marking work.

A class that do more work, gets their work marked promptly and getting the needed feedback, will do better than a class with less work, and less feedback.

Every few years they will introduce new fads, and teachers will rush to follow.
Like using ict tools such as padlet, kahoot, mentimeter in lessons.

And then latest fad is to change the way lesson plans are designed.

But if we look at the flow of lessons, it's always essentially about teaching-class work- homework.

Same stuff, just packaged differently.

Packaging matters

Whether we want to admit or like it or not...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what I mean is that I tanked most of the department events as they have their own personal concern and activities because they surface their personal concern/commitment e.g. need to take care of aged parents/young parents and I listen to their needs and lead the way.

Next time, please don't assume and jump to conclusion. thanks.

I think you are a good KP. Please don't burn yourself out!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Packaging matters

Whether we want to admit or like it or not...

Tell me about it. I have encountered all sorts thus far: Team-Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Design Thinking, Assessment for Learning, Problem Based Learning.

Just what on earth are we doing? Is it a sin to teach the traditional way?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Current SH tanks everything for the dept/unit, everything also want to do. Said it was to offload our work when it is so obvious it is for the portfolio and PB. New to the school so just keeping quiet for the time being. Best is get news of promotion in April and I can float. If not, gonna zao after 3 years. I also want my own PD.

I'd like a KP like this! Free up my time to prepare for T&L.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Tell me about it. I have encountered all sorts thus far: Team-Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Design Thinking, Assessment for Learning, Problem Based Learning.

Just what on earth are we doing? Is it a sin to teach the traditional way?

Sure, do kids learn better the traditional way? Or do they simply score well for exams with the tried and tested drill and practice Methods? What’s wrong with having new ways to teach?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Tell me about it. I have encountered all sorts thus far: Team-Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Design Thinking, Assessment for Learning, Problem Based Learning.

Just what on earth are we doing? Is it a sin to teach the traditional way?

Creating more work for the sake of creating something new.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Tell me about it. I have encountered all sorts thus far: Team-Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Design Thinking, Assessment for Learning, Problem Based Learning.

Just what on earth are we doing? Is it a sin to teach the traditional way?

The comment with the most wisdom so far

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually it is already communicated to us that appraisal is mainly based on the level of impact. Might sound like priorities are misplaced but the hint is there.

If you just focus on teaching your class well, the impact, at the end of the day, is only on your class. You can make the impact greater by sharing what you have done with your class with other teachers in your level and ensuring they carry it out with their classes. That way, your impact will be increased to level-wide instead of just on your class only.

Granted, it is not easy to do this cos you will need the support of your level teachers and a certain level of influence. But this is one way to kill two birds with one stone.

At a basketball match if one insist to use your legs to kick the ball because it's more effective, one will definitely be fouled.

KRAs are subjective but also very clear that academics are only one area that one is assessed. Can argue against it till the cows come home, it won't make a difference.

It's also not that "teaching" work is low impact, but it's clearly stated that GEO4s and especially GEO5s are expected to impact teaching beyond just their own class. GEO5s need to make level-wide impact. And these expectations are just for meeting expectations i.e. a C.

Let's say teaching SEN students is one's passion and strength. How to increase impact? Not by teaching more and more classes with SEN students. But by contributing at level-level, school-level, cluster-level or even national-level. High-impact work may not be more effort which is less enjoyable. Mentor younger teachers or peers who need help with SEN students. Write newsletters to share about SEN strategies. Be the IC / initiate some SEN-related committee or event. Make sharing on school, cluster or national platform about teaching SEN students.

High impact work need not be tiring or meaningless. Go with your passion, then extend the level of impact higher.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Tell me about it. I have encountered all sorts thus far: Team-Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Design Thinking, Assessment for Learning, Problem Based Learning.

Just what on earth are we doing? Is it a sin to teach the traditional way?

You sound like one of those boomer teachers who are too stuck in their ways to realise that times have changed. Please retire soon so that you don't stand in the way of younger teachers who have a better way of teaching.