Teaching, as I see it.

I was a lost sheep when it comes to deciding my career a while back.

With my education background in Information Technology (IT), most people will expect me to find a job related to computers. In fact, I almost did. Under pressure by my mother to start earning my own upkeep, I nearly accept a job as an IT analyst. To be frank, while I can easily take on a role of an IT analyst, but I wonder if I'll be truly happy working backstage, interacting with computers all the time. A career path in education has always been in my mind. Being a single parent child, I am fortunate enough to graduate from University. Part of this good fortune comes from the people around me. The friends and lecturers during my polytechnic education really made a difference. My initial plans were to work for a while, earn my Masters, and finally lecture in a polytechnic.

So while I was looking around for a job, MOE started their recruitment process. I thought to myself, being a teacher might be great. With that in the hindsight, I attended one of their recruitment seminars. I applied for a teaching position and went for an interview. Waiting for the results took a few months, which seems like an eternality for a penniless fresh graduate. An anxious mother who was rushing me for a job did not help to calm my nerves a bit. (That explains the reason why I almost accepted the IT position.) I was offered a contract teaching position to teach in Primary School. I'm an idealist, and to me, being truly happy with what I do if of utmost importance. Monetary benefits can come in later.

Of course, I had my initial reserves. There's a saying that goes, "Those who can't do, teach." At the point of time, I had concerns of being branded as 'incompetent' by my relatives and friends. The massive recruitment effort by MOE did not help alleviate matters. After talking to my close friends, I accepted the offer after some thorough thinking. What I really wanted to do is to make a difference in peoples' lives, so why not make making a difference my work.

So far, I had been teaching for 4 months. Of course I had my share of hiccups, but I really enjoyed what I do. In fact, I am looking forward towards every single lesson I had with my students. And I also learnt plenty of things as I go along. I learnt and am still learning about the fine boundaries between a teacher and a student and when to draw a line to the friendship. I learnt about expectations of as a teacher by others and adjusting my own expectations as a teacher. I learnt that teachers are humans as well, with the same emotions and flaws everyone has. I learnt that children are the most beautiful gifts. I learnt that I can spread knowledge, kindness and joy. I learnt that I have a lot more to learn, even when I am teaching.

To repeat again, I'm an idealist. I had great plans for the children under my guidance. (To date, reality had kicked me a few times.) I want the best for them, and most of all, I want them to be happy and grow up to be strong and kind. If god(s) really exist, please kindly bless them to stand the test of time.