Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don't be discouraged. I am from 2016 PGDE, last cohort to do 3 subjects specialisation within 1 year of PGDE. In 2017, I had a newborn, I didn't even apply for any paternity leave and wasted 2weeks of paternity leave, yes, 14 days of paternity leave, with the naive thoughts of wanting to contribute more and minimise the disruption of students' learning. I wanted to concentrate and do well. I taught P4 English and Math in 2017 from June onwards and got emplaced to GEO3 in 2018 July/August (officially October I think). Not sure whether it was fast or slow. I was a mid-career in late 30s.

In 2018, I was tasked to teach P5 English and Math as a BT for the same class. In 2019 , I was tasked to follow up to their P6 and teach the same class English and Math. I was also in-charge to help set up the peer support leadership in the school. I burnt the June holidays as I had 2 weeks of master class for the P6 class as I taught 2 P6 subjects, training for Peer Support Leaders and also CCA training for Chinese Orchestra SYF. Ended up, I got C- for 2019 for as an overloaded BT who taught 2 P6 core subjects and heavily loaded with CCA and committee work. I was also the Level Discipline Master for P5&6.

My honest opinion, they planned for me to fail. The school leaders failed to plan fair workload for me and put me up for failure. I wondered what the more experienced teachers were doing that they needed a BT to teach 2 P6 subjects to prepare them for PSLE.

In 2019, my P6 class got 37 As and 3 Bs for Math. For English, I could not remember the results except for a chinese girl who was with me since P4 after I came out from NIE in 2017 June . She followed me up since P4. She had a Chinese divorcee mum who pleaded for me to help her in her English during P4 PTM as the mum said she could not afford any English tuition for her and she could not help her in English as she came from China. The P4 girl trusted me to read more English storybooks, created her own word banks, and got an A* for 2020 PSLE eventually. I got a C- for 2019. Reason unknown.

In 2020, my VP came to sat in with me during every EPMS right from the start of the year even after I mentioned I was uncomfortable to have him around with me and my RO. That year was filled with 6 to 8 lessons observations from RO, VP and a mentor they assigned to "help" me, claiming that I was underperforming. I got a D grade for 2020. I felt it was all set up.

In 2021, I applied for transfer during open posting. I was posted out in 2022 Jan. I also requested a change of RO in 2021. I got a C grade for work done in 2021. I should have applied for open posting before I got my D grade. I didn't understand why they wanted to "kill" me.

In my new school, I work as hard as usual, got B grade for 2022 and 2023. In 2024 Mar, I was informed I will be promoted. I am much happier in this new school. As usual, I tried my best for my students but the work is being recognised.

If you are in a toxic place, please try to get out. Go to a place which people will recognise you.

I also realised my ex-toxic-RO is now in a new school which my previous P who had promoted her. I am not sure what kind of relationship they are having. But, take care of your well-being. You don't know the politics behind. Go to somewhere which you can restart fairly. Leave the toxic environment.

unfortunately, such stories are not uncommon. once you’re ‘marked’, it’s almost impossible to overturn their planned outcome. best is to to move out of the toxic place. glad you made the right move!

just got notified that i am getting promoted to SEO1. this is my 10th year in trained service.

suffered a lot along the way, promotion doesn't feel that good

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Any OYEA nominees received email or letter about being selected for interview?

no didnt receive any...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don't be discouraged. I am from 2016 PGDE, last cohort to do 3 subjects specialisation within 1 year of PGDE. In 2017, I had a newborn, I didn't even apply for any paternity leave and wasted 2weeks of paternity leave, yes, 14 days of paternity leave, with the naive thoughts of wanting to contribute more and minimise the disruption of students' learning. I wanted to concentrate and do well. I taught P4 English and Math in 2017 from June onwards and got emplaced to GEO3 in 2018 July/August (officially October I think). Not sure whether it was fast or slow. I was a mid-career in late 30s.

In 2018, I was tasked to teach P5 English and Math as a BT for the same class. In 2019 , I was tasked to follow up to their P6 and teach the same class English and Math. I was also in-charge to help set up the peer support leadership in the school. I burnt the June holidays as I had 2 weeks of master class for the P6 class as I taught 2 P6 subjects, training for Peer Support Leaders and also CCA training for Chinese Orchestra SYF. Ended up, I got C- for 2019 for as an overloaded BT who taught 2 P6 core subjects and heavily loaded with CCA and committee work. I was also the Level Discipline Master for P5&6.

My honest opinion, they planned for me to fail. The school leaders failed to plan fair workload for me and put me up for failure. I wondered what the more experienced teachers were doing that they needed a BT to teach 2 P6 subjects to prepare them for PSLE.

In 2019, my P6 class got 37 As and 3 Bs for Math. For English, I could not remember the results except for a chinese girl who was with me since P4 after I came out from NIE in 2017 June . She followed me up since P4. She had a Chinese divorcee mum who pleaded for me to help her in her English during P4 PTM as the mum said she could not afford any English tuition for her and she could not help her in English as she came from China. The P4 girl trusted me to read more English storybooks, created her own word banks, and got an A* for 2020 PSLE eventually. I got a C- for 2019. Reason unknown.

In 2020, my VP came to sat in with me during every EPMS right from the start of the year even after I mentioned I was uncomfortable to have him around with me and my RO. That year was filled with 6 to 8 lessons observations from RO, VP and a mentor they assigned to "help" me, claiming that I was underperforming. I got a D grade for 2020. I felt it was all set up.

In 2021, I applied for transfer during open posting. I was posted out in 2022 Jan. I also requested a change of RO in 2021. I got a C grade for work done in 2021. I should have applied for open posting before I got my D grade. I didn't understand why they wanted to "kill" me.

In my new school, I work as hard as usual, got B grade for 2022 and 2023. In 2024 Mar, I was informed I will be promoted. I am much happier in this new school. As usual, I tried my best for my students but the work is being recognised.

If you are in a toxic place, please try to get out. Go to a place which people will recognise you.

I also realised my ex-toxic-RO is now in a new school which my previous P who had promoted her. I am not sure what kind of relationship they are having. But, take care of your well-being. You don't know the politics behind. Go to somewhere which you can restart fairly. Leave the toxic environment.

which school? primary or secondary?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

which school? primary or secondary?

Er. Did you even read his first few paragraphs? Lol

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don't be discouraged. I am from 2016 PGDE, last cohort to do 3 subjects specialisation within 1 year of PGDE. In 2017, I had a newborn, I didn't even apply for any paternity leave and wasted 2weeks of paternity leave, yes, 14 days of paternity leave, with the naive thoughts of wanting to contribute more and minimise the disruption of students' learning. I wanted to concentrate and do well. I taught P4 English and Math in 2017 from June onwards and got emplaced to GEO3 in 2018 July/August (officially October I think). Not sure whether it was fast or slow. I was a mid-career in late 30s.

In 2018, I was tasked to teach P5 English and Math as a BT for the same class. In 2019 , I was tasked to follow up to their P6 and teach the same class English and Math. I was also in-charge to help set up the peer support leadership in the school. I burnt the June holidays as I had 2 weeks of master class for the P6 class as I taught 2 P6 subjects, training for Peer Support Leaders and also CCA training for Chinese Orchestra SYF. Ended up, I got C- for 2019 for as an overloaded BT who taught 2 P6 core subjects and heavily loaded with CCA and committee work. I was also the Level Discipline Master for P5&6.

My honest opinion, they planned for me to fail. The school leaders failed to plan fair workload for me and put me up for failure. I wondered what the more experienced teachers were doing that they needed a BT to teach 2 P6 subjects to prepare them for PSLE.

In 2019, my P6 class got 37 As and 3 Bs for Math. For English, I could not remember the results except for a chinese girl who was with me since P4 after I came out from NIE in 2017 June . She followed me up since P4. She had a Chinese divorcee mum who pleaded for me to help her in her English during P4 PTM as the mum said she could not afford any English tuition for her and she could not help her in English as she came from China. The P4 girl trusted me to read more English storybooks, created her own word banks, and got an A* for 2020 PSLE eventually. I got a C- for 2019. Reason unknown.

In 2020, my VP came to sat in with me during every EPMS right from the start of the year even after I mentioned I was uncomfortable to have him around with me and my RO. That year was filled with 6 to 8 lessons observations from RO, VP and a mentor they assigned to "help" me, claiming that I was underperforming. I got a D grade for 2020. I felt it was all set up.

In 2021, I applied for transfer during open posting. I was posted out in 2022 Jan. I also requested a change of RO in 2021. I got a C grade for work done in 2021. I should have applied for open posting before I got my D grade. I didn't understand why they wanted to "kill" me.

In my new school, I work as hard as usual, got B grade for 2022 and 2023. In 2024 Mar, I was informed I will be promoted. I am much happier in this new school. As usual, I tried my best for my students but the work is being recognised.

If you are in a toxic place, please try to get out. Go to a place which people will recognise you.

I also realised my ex-toxic-RO is now in a new school which my previous P who had promoted her. I am not sure what kind of relationship they are having. But, take care of your well-being. You don't know the politics behind. Go to somewhere which you can restart fairly. Leave the toxic environment.

Thank you for sharing. I feel so frustrated reading this and I’m so glad you’re in a much better place. Good piece of advice for everyone here too. I hope nobody feels like they need to stay in a place to prove their worth.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Any OYEA nominees received email or letter about being selected for interview?

How does one get nominated for OYEA?

I’m also from the 2016 PGDE batch. You didn’t miss out on anything bro. I never had any C- or D and I’m also promoted the same time as you to the same rank. Thanks for sharing though. I also truly believe that must leave if someone is targeting you. I had a contract teacher in my previous school who was targeted by the then vp. She could never make it to NIE when he was around. Once he was gone, other KPs evaluated her and found nothing wrong with her. She was promptly sent to NIE since.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don't be discouraged. I am from 2016 PGDE, last cohort to do 3 subjects specialisation within 1 year of PGDE. In 2017, I had a newborn, I didn't even apply for any paternity leave and wasted 2weeks of paternity leave, yes, 14 days of paternity leave, with the naive thoughts of wanting to contribute more and minimise the disruption of students' learning. I wanted to concentrate and do well. I taught P4 English and Math in 2017 from June onwards and got emplaced to GEO3 in 2018 July/August (officially October I think). Not sure whether it was fast or slow. I was a mid-career in late 30s.

In 2018, I was tasked to teach P5 English and Math as a BT for the same class. In 2019 , I was tasked to follow up to their P6 and teach the same class English and Math. I was also in-charge to help set up the peer support leadership in the school. I burnt the June holidays as I had 2 weeks of master class for the P6 class as I taught 2 P6 subjects, training for Peer Support Leaders and also CCA training for Chinese Orchestra SYF. Ended up, I got C- for 2019 for as an overloaded BT who taught 2 P6 core subjects and heavily loaded with CCA and committee work. I was also the Level Discipline Master for P5&6.

My honest opinion, they planned for me to fail. The school leaders failed to plan fair workload for me and put me up for failure. I wondered what the more experienced teachers were doing that they needed a BT to teach 2 P6 subjects to prepare them for PSLE.

In 2019, my P6 class got 37 As and 3 Bs for Math. For English, I could not remember the results except for a chinese girl who was with me since P4 after I came out from NIE in 2017 June . She followed me up since P4. She had a Chinese divorcee mum who pleaded for me to help her in her English during P4 PTM as the mum said she could not afford any English tuition for her and she could not help her in English as she came from China. The P4 girl trusted me to read more English storybooks, created her own word banks, and got an A* for 2020 PSLE eventually. I got a C- for 2019. Reason unknown.

In 2020, my VP came to sat in with me during every EPMS right from the start of the year even after I mentioned I was uncomfortable to have him around with me and my RO. That year was filled with 6 to 8 lessons observations from RO, VP and a mentor they assigned to "help" me, claiming that I was underperforming. I got a D grade for 2020. I felt it was all set up.

In 2021, I applied for transfer during open posting. I was posted out in 2022 Jan. I also requested a change of RO in 2021. I got a C grade for work done in 2021. I should have applied for open posting before I got my D grade. I didn't understand why they wanted to "kill" me.

In my new school, I work as hard as usual, got B grade for 2022 and 2023. In 2024 Mar, I was informed I will be promoted. I am much happier in this new school. As usual, I tried my best for my students but the work is being recognised.

If you are in a toxic place, please try to get out. Go to a place which people will recognise you.

I also realised my ex-toxic-RO is now in a new school which my previous P who had promoted her. I am not sure what kind of relationship they are having. But, take care of your well-being. You don't know the politics behind. Go to somewhere which you can restart fairly. Leave the toxic environment.

Asking a BT to teach P6 classes is crazy.

I am from the 2015 batch of BA degree programme
and I was given a C- in either 2019 or 2020 without any explanation from my RO. I was the OIC for so many school events, helped out for many after school intervention programmes but the SL felt I wasn't good enough to be promoted to a GEO4. They promoted a few teachers with fewer experience than me to geo 4 first. I was so mad knowing that someone or a few people were blocking my promotion and decided to transfer to a different school. Everyone told me u would have to wait 2 years before your new school promotes you because they need time to observe you. Guess what, I got promoted after working for only 8 months in a new school. They recognized my efforts and decided to nominate me for promotion.

If you are unhappy with your school, just leave..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

just got notified that i am getting promoted to SEO1. this is my 10th year in trained service.

suffered a lot along the way, promotion doesn't feel that good

Why doesn't it feel good? You worked hard for it and you got it. I'm in my 8th year and still in GEO3 leh.