Thoughts on Being a Teacher After Six Days

1. The environment.
The working environment was actually good. It was not as stressful as call centre environment, and not as mindless as a warehouse environment. So it was nicely in between. Teachers are generally helpful too, giving many tips on how to control the classes. Being a relief teacher means staying out of any possible politics, which is rather minimal from what I have observed so far.

2. The Working Hours
I don't think there is any job that has less working hours than a relief teaching one. I can go home as early at 1.30pm (start school at 7:20pm), though I normally leave at 2 plus, 3 pm. Was great, because it allows me time to do other things which I needed to do. It allows me to have a good two-hour afternoon nap, after which I could go for a jog. It also replenishes my energy at night; I could have my bible study for Charis, or do some studies on my own. The statistics prove it: so far I have managed to jog an average of 3 times a week, compared to zero (for the entire month) when I was working at NTUC, since I practically want to relax at night after a hard day's stressful work which ends at 5:30pm.

3. The Responsibilities
Of course, no point talking about these insignificant things if I fail to mention the job itself! I am taking two Secondary 2 Normal Academic classes and a Sec 3 Express class (presumably the best class in the cohort), in English. Basically that Sec 3 class is identical to my own class in Ngee Ann: smart people, most people talk very little and are shy, one or two jokers here and there, and you could actually talk on the same level as them. They are mischievous in a funny, non-disruptive way. However when I enter the N(A) classes, I find it difficult to control them. What is even more difficult is to instil a sense of learning attitude in them. Most of them do not seem to be interested in studying. I do not think they are worse or anything (they are actually more charismatic, humorous and creative people), but it seems that one has to creative and very, very patient in order to capture their attention and respect. So far I am paired up with a main teacher in the classroom, so I have not really taught yet. My responsibility is more to help the main teacher reinforce discipline, and help out whenever they are doing work, since apparently having a single teacher in the class is not sufficient to monitor the very disruptive class.

My friend and fellow relief teacher had wanted to quit after just 3 days. I've been trying to encourage him not to.

4. The Future
Of course, being a relief teacher had been a desire since I was in the army. I love the working environment, and though I struggle with the kids, I think experience and seniority will help. I think having an 'old face' or mature look will immediately send the right signal that the kids had better behave. And I think that's just the way it is. The way it is now, everyone can see through me: "Aiyah, just a relief teacher."

So will I be a teacher someday? I think it is possible. I have learnt from people that a chemical engineer's work is very stressful. And somemore it is a male-dominated environment. That's a definite no-no. :)