Whatever your passion is (a particular career, relationship,
etc) , u should at least give it a shot, or else you might die
(ie. at the end of your life) not ever knowing whether or not how
it might have turned out.
I encourage all students who have a passion for teaching, to
give it a shot. It's always a good idea to try it as
a relief teacher, as ChemGuide suggested. After the relief
teaching experience, those who still the passion to teach, should
certainly go ahead and sign up with MOE for a permanent teaching
position as a full time education officer (including applying
for the NIE diploma in education).
Even if you (eg. a student, or a mid-career professional) aren't
able to have the relief teaching experience, but always had, or now
strongly have, a deeper calling and inner passion within
yourself to teach, yes you should go ahead and apply with MOE
for a teaching position (either part time or full time),
including the 1 year NIE diploma course.
The experience of this profession, (or to be
precise) the meaningful interaction with students, and
making some difference in some of their lives, makes teaching
a worthwhile experience and profession.
I never regretted joining MOE, just as I never regretted
leaving MOE. Which brings me to my summary : I feel the MOE
teaching experience is a valuable and irreplaceable experience that
everyone who ever had, or now have, the passion to teach,
should give it a shot.
Thereafter, considering everything (ie. it should be
obvious to everyone in Singapore by now, that joining MOE is
certainly not just about the meaningful interaction with
students and making a difference in their lives, but also
invevitably involves a lot of politics, bureaucracy
and non-teaching duties as well), you have to decide how
long you wish to stay in MOE.
Few Singaporeans stay in one career or profession their entire
lives. Within a few years, most Singaporeans switch across
companies, professions and industries. So go ahead and apply to
join MOE. Once you're in it and given it a shot, after the first
couple of years, it's time to evaluate your situation (not
just in MOE, but in any career or company) and decide for
yourself, whether you wish to be in this for the rest of
your life, or for a good several more years, or
if you should be making preparations to move on
soon.
To reiterate and summarize : the MOE is as screwed up as
any other large, commercial organization in the corporate world,
but that should not detract or prevent you from giving yourself,
and your future students, the chance to give it a shot and
make some difference in some of their lives. Just be sure you
go into MOE and into the school with your eyes wide
open, instead of suffering some fairy tale delusion that
may cause you to end up dissapointed and disillusioned (the
most common complaint for new teachers leaving the
service). And after you feel you've done enough, or have had
enough, make preparations to move on with your life.
May you enjoy your teaching career (or at least the meaningful
student interaction aspects of it) for as long as you choose to
be in there.
Hi UltimaOnline, Thanks for your advice. Initially I had the
passion to become a teacher because I enjoy passing on valuable
knowledge to students and I thought this is the main job a teacher
does. But as what Chemguide7 has pointed out, it seems that a
teacher has to deal with my admin stuff etc, so I am not certain
whether I am able to deal with these. I may consider to sign up as
a relief teacher after my 'O' Levels. I am perfectly fine with the
pay of a teacher as long as it is reasonable, furthermore a
teacher's job is extremely stable. I am sure you are a private chem
tutor right? Do you mind revealing why you left MOE? Is the pay of
a full-time private tutor good?
If you are in for the money, better reconsider. You have to be
in there for a passion and it is a calling.
Can you imagine teaching the bright kids in Normal(Acad) who
oppose you at every lesson? You have to try all ways to win them.
And deal with lots of admin and CCA funding/supervision/holiday
activities and marking books / worksheets / preparing for lessons
at night? Plus meetings and courses to attend? And remedials on
weekday afternoons?
Teacher's pay stagnates after about 10 years, unless you are
promoted to HOD or senior teacher.
But the rewards are great. Nothing is better when you see a
truant kid turns over a new leaf. A teacher impacts eternity.
<br / Well, I have also considered to become a full-time
private tutor, specializing in Chem and maths.. but I am not very
sure if the pay is as good as a full-time MOE teacher..