I think quite a lot of applicants - fresh graduates in
particular, are probably attracted to the profession because of
combinative factors such as :
1) The prestige of the vocation as a professional,
2) The relatively high pay,
3) The entitlement of 12 weeks of school holidays (which really is
a big deal),
4) A commonly misguided notion that a teacher's work will end
exactly at 1pm during morning shift or 6.20pm for those in
afternoon shift, and
5) The stable and assured employment concern addressed by the
vocation.
While the intakes might seem high in numbers, it is also very
common to see young teachers, especially those untrained and hence
unbonded, to terminate their initial one-year contract early.
The variety of reasons may range in their forms by the hundredth,
but among the most common, it is the inability to adapt and handle
well the demanding stress and attention that is required of the
work.
A typical classroom teacher begins a day from 7.15.
From this time onwards, he/she will be involved in classroom
interaction with the students until the usual 1.00pm, with half an
hour to one hour's break in between.
After the official duties, teachers are officially free to go
off.
However, tons of work such as preparation of lessons in media,
paper, worksheet formats; the marking and correction of assignment
matters,; the handling of discipline issues and parental contact;
and last but not least the various other classroom / student
related school administrative matters will still await them to
handle.
And this does not take into account that i) teachers may be
mobilized to teach everything from English, Maths, Science, Social
Studies, PE, Art, Music for classes in different levels, as well to
be reposnsible for CCA clubs or sports team.
In addition, there is also the minimum twice a week remedial
classes whereby teachers are expected to revisit their lessons
again for students who may be slower in the learning process.
Apart from the above, be expected to be involved in the various
subcommittees such as National Day, festivals celebration, sports
day events and many other as well.
The pay of course is very attractive to outside eyes who will not
see the actual amount of work involved.
But please be reminded that in return for that attractive amount of
pay, a potential teacher applicant should also have the appropriate
apptitude and expectation to be a hands-on all rounder.
Education and Teaching....
These are not merely isolated cases of calling or career.
They are all intergrated as one.
