Found A Job

Hi ppl

Exam's juz over, and I have found a job as a temp HR Assistant...AGAIN (looks like my job scope is always revolving around human resources..sian)

My working place is at Toa Payoh Lorong 7, and I'll be commencing work immediately after Labour Day.

Boon Siew

Haiz..

Hi everyone, long time didn't come to this blog. I just completed my driving course last week. The driving course is at Kaki Bukit Camp but stay in at Sembawang Camp. The course was not easy. Got theory test, parking test, driving test, Highway Situational Problem Test which required for army driving license. It was a 1 month plus course. The driving course is like holiday period for me. Now I back in my unit. I will be busy for this few weeks.

Caizhuang: Don't give up easily. Give yourself a period of time to get used to teaching children and learn from other experienced teachers. Jia You!

Mildred, Shiya, Boon Siew: Jia You for your studies. Try to enjoy your days in uni..

Roslinah: All the best to you!

Kian Ann

About going to NIE................thinking very carefully now...

Hahahahaah..................I think by now you guys are bored with me liao. I'm very fickle-minded, one minute saying I want to go NIE, one min saying I'm not.

Today, something happened and it makes me think hard about considering going to NIE and teaching in primary schools as a career.

Today, before I start my lessons, my students are already asking if their form teacher is in school today. And it's just not one. It's quite a few of them. Looks like they are looking forward to their lessons with her and not to mine.

Hahahaha..........yesterday, the form teacher was just telling me that the students have not hate me to the extent of complaining abt me, but they also dun really look forward to my lessons, which is not a very good thing actually.

Can be a little sad over this information, but it also makes start to think: Do I like children?

Cos' yesterday over the chat with that teacher, cos she's a mentor attached to me, she was asking me several questions. Some of them are: Where do you think you will be 5years down the road? Do you picture yourself as a pri school teacher? Do you like children?

'Do you like children?' This question really makes me ponder.

The reason that prompted me to go for MOE interview is that I like to teach.
When I told my mentor (which is that teacher) that I like jobs that interact with people, she was saying that, teaching children is a different thing, though it interacts with people as well. And until now, I have not interact with the parents yet. So I may not like it after all if I start to interact with parents abt their children.

When I realised that my students favoured their form teacher over me, frankly speaking, I was kind of sad. But after that, I started thinking, do I like children?

Cos' for my 5 weeks in school, the most common thing I have done is to tell the children to keep quiet, so I can teach my subjects.

I'm not that interested to know how the children are like, what their personalities are like.
My mentor ( their form teacher) has been giving me suggestions such as I have to use the soft methods sometimes and not be harsh to them always. But I can't do it.

I can be fierce to a relief class for that day, cos I'm only seeing that for that day. But if I'm seeing you for the whole term, it's not possible to do that. I have to do more than that.
Such as knowing your students, having to interact with them etc. My mentor was has been teaching for 11 yrs, so she has that kind of experience. And you can see that she cares for the children. I don't do that to the students.

When I went for a 2 day crash course for untrained teachers, my lecturer taught us this phrase:
' You teach children, not subjects'.

I've been teaching subjects all along, not children. All I wanted them to do is to keep quiet so I can teach my subjects in peace. I dun really care if they listen or not.

Some other teachers may be finding ways to teach so that the children will be interested to listen. But I don't. I'm using the tradional method whereby you just sit there and listen, I dun want any nonsense from you while I'm teaching.

Can see why the students dun really like my lessons. If I'm one of the children, I will also dun like such a teacher.

To teach is to touch someone's life. We make a difference in students.

But for me, what I've been doing is to deliver my subjects. Mind you, is DELIVER. Not that the students can absorb in the topic or not.
And I also dun really care if they can't absorb.

But I really like to teach. Maybe my interest is to teach someone more mature, and can interact better. Children, you have to baby sit them and care for them. I just dun care.

So, do I like children? I think my answer is no.

Right now, I'm checking my behaviour and looking back at my behaviour the past few weeks. I've realised that I've been teacting my job as a responsibility. Responsibility to just do what I'm suppose to do and nothing else.

I have never thought of how the students will feel abt my lessons or how they will benefit from my lessons. I just made sure that I've taught them what I'm suppose to teach.

I think if not for my students reaction to me, I will never reflect on myself and think that in-depth. And I dun really like my class as well.

Can you imagine facing a class you dun like for 1 yr?


~Caizhuang~
Pondering now

My class..........

As I was saying yesterday, that I'll be ahving my observation, have checked with that teacher, it;s going to be an informal one.

But she has also told me something else: My class doesn't look forward to my lessons. :(

Haiz............think it's because my teaching is too boring and that I'm like some mad woman to htme, who likes to scold them.

Actually, I also dun really love my class lah. It's very tiring to have to teach them. And they are monsters man!

So now, I'm praying that the term ends soon. Now is Week5. There's 5 more weeks before they break for holidays.

Yippeee!!!!!!!!! Waiting for that day to come.

PS: It's 2 more weeks to end of April. By then, you guys will be free to entertain me liao. Hahahaahaha..................... Can't wait.

Btw, where's our dear Roslinah & Kian Ann's post?

Is he still alive anyway, or 'dead' in camp liao?


~Caizhuang~
Keep on fighting

Pondering time...................

Hahahaha....first, thanks for all your concern.

Frankly speaking, it was really a very, very ,very lousy week for me last week. Was on the verge of crying cos' I can't control the kids. Felt very very demoralised.

Then I had a talk with my colleague. She came in last Sept, also as an untrained teacher. It was then that I realised that everyone who came in at first found it tough.

Same as me, she could not control the children. Especially when she come in, it was the last term, it was even worse for her cos' they have their own habits and class rules already.

So, after talking to her, I felt better. At least I'm not the only one having this problem!

Then after last week's meeting, soemthing which our vice principal said help me alot:

" In class, we are the leaders. Our children are watching us and following our orders."

That's right. We are the ones who call the shots in class. Have to show them that they have to follow our instructions.

It was then that I sort of improve in my management skills. Class still as chaotic, but I have some confidence of myself liao.

I can sort of handle some situations. So things got slightly better for me this week.

I'm still keeping my fingers cross. Still too early for anything.


One more thing, I'm going to have my class observation soon!

Itr's actually very early for me, who has just came into the school. Other colleagues, untrained teacher as well, who came in earlier than me still haven't been observed. Mine is the week after next leh!

One senior teacher from HOD ( the form teacher whom I'm sharing subjects with) will come in and observe how I conduct my lessons.

Stress sia! I just sort of adjust to my students and she has to come and see how I conduct my lessons. Most of the time I'm trying to keep them quiet and listen to me!

So how? I'm keeping my fingers cross.


It's true that I'm not bonded, can resign anytime I like. But frankly speaking, I don't like jobs in the corporate world. I prefer jobs that deal with people. Si if I quit, dunnno what to do liao.

I'm treating teaching as a way of sharpening my presentation skills and leadership skills ( it's a very gd platform to do that).

Right now. it's a tough period for me. It I can pull thru this period, being in NIE, working in the civil sector still looks attractive.

So guys, wish me luck!

And I wish you guys all the best for your exams!

Looking forward for end of April. It's the time where you guys are free to entertain me. Hahahaahaah...........




~Caizhuang~
Keep fighting everyday

What Happened to you, Caizhuang?

Caizhuang .. are things really that bad?

But you can quit anytime right? ( Cos this is not a bond )..

Tell us how u are coping with the new job.

Did the student complain after u accidentally 'caught' his/her finger at the side of the door? (u told us that day abt this)

Now is study break for us.. veri veri sian..

Mildred

I am quitting...........................

After last week's lessons, I thought it would be a better week for me. But now, I have to admit my classroom management is a total flop!

Haiz.........I've given up liao. I dun care if the whole class is noisy like hell or the studens dun listen to me.

They are too young. You need to really baby sit them. Your instructions cannot be too chiem or they wont be able to understand.

And I'm not able to be firm with them. It's very tiring to do that, you know. To have to fierce to them everyday. If you are not firm, they will walk all over their heads.

I'm starting to hate myself now.

Haiz...............I'd orefer to teach mature adults cos when they study, it's because they want to learn, not because they must learn.

Primary and secondary school education is a must to learn right? You can't choose not to. Not like tertiary. You pay for the courses because you want to learn.

So normally the students will listen to you. Unless you are teaching rubbish lah.

I'm waiting for end of April. Cos' by then, you people will be free to entertain me liao.

Hahahahaahah.........................

I intend to quit after 4 months, that is until July intake for NIE.

But it could be sooner. Cos they normally inform you earlier by 2 mths, I think.

P.S: Heard it's in May. SO it's only next month! Muahahahaaa.............

I jus had a chat with my colleague. He came in the same time as me, but teaching Chinese subjects.

He was working in Channel U previously, before the merger.

Seems like he is enjoying the work.

Haiz................heard from him that one of his colleague wanted to teach, manged to get into NIE lst yr, but rejected the offer cos want to see more of this world.

N now, this colleague of his is regreting like siao!

It's harder to get into NIE again if you rejected their offer cos you be blacklisted.

Hahaha...........makes me ponder over this.



Somebody pls help me~~~~~~

~Caizhuang~

A Very lousy day for me today.............

Today is the start of my 4th week.

Hahaha...............I'm counting my days everyday now. It sort of becoming my favourite pastime.

About me getting the hang of becoming a teacher, I'm still far from it.

Just today, I had a very, very, very, very lousy day. I'm not in my tip top performance. Think it's the Monday Blues.

I was very critical of my students today, and the way I teach my lessons sucks.

Just before I go home at the end of the day, I happened to walk past some teachers sitting down and chit chatting. One of them was a friend of my colleague, think he's a teacher from outside school.

Heard him say, " You talk to your students. Don't scold them. It'll work better."

This statement totally described how I feel today.

I've been scolding them the whole day, even when I dun want to.

I'm like some mad woman who scolds people for no reason. I can see that the students are affected by my behaviour.

It is not easy to teach. Haiz.................. a lot of factors have to be considered when teaching human beings.

Things always get complicated when human beings are involved.

I would like to teach Chinese related subjects in future.

NIE may not be the path for me. Cos' I'm not assigned to teach Chinese subjects and I'm not interested in teaching chinese characters.

When I was relieving some Chinese classes last week, i was enjoying my self so much!

I enjoyed telling them stories in Chinese, and interacting with them in Chinese!

And today, I start to hate the subjevts I'm teaching.

Cos' if you are teaching Chinese, you teach solely Chinese and 'hao gong ming'. Not like general subjects. I still have to teach music and PE! Of all things!

And I have to relief all sorts of funny classes. Like today, a Malay class for 1 1/2 hr!

My dream would to be a lecturer in poly or any tertiary institution, most preferably to teach chinese related and things like that.

Right now, I'm building up my experiences in teaching a class. I can be a very boring teacher at times.

Help me, someone~~~~~~~~~~~!

~Caizhuang~

Why does life sucks

Do I love teaching?

Hey Everyone..

Caizhuang, glad to hear that you are surviving till the end of the day as a teacher!

I think from your most recent post, it shows that you are beginning to get the hang of being a teacher. Now u make me ponder if I still have the passion to be a teacher. Haha!! Cos my friend also told me about those students asking how she was feeling when she return to school (cos she was sick previously) and her students ask her to take care. She said those words are enough to touch her heart and give her the strength to carry on...

Wow then I see your post on the students calling you Ms Wen from a corner.. quite sweet leh.. i find..haha..

Do you think I can apply for relief teaching for only 3 months? From May - Aug? think will approve? If can relief teach maybe it can give me a clearer picture if I really like teaching or just a 3 minutes fever! hahaha..

Exams drawing near.. haha..Thanks for your blessing Caizhuang!

Linah, so u have dropped the idea of becoming a teacher already?

Kian Ann..how's your driving lessons getting along!

ENDURE AND SEE THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOUR!

Regards,
Mildred

End of my 3rd Week in school..............

Hahahaha...........finally, today is the end of my 3rd week.

Guess what? Regarding abt last fri's class that pissed me off, my supervisor approved my request that I need not go back n teach that class!

Yipeeeeee! Though I think it might affect his assessment of me. (I need to be assessed first and see if can go NIE)

But I dun care. :)

This week is a little better for me. I'm very fierce with my students now, even with those relief classes. I've learnt that it's the only you can get them to listen to you. I dun care if I'm a nasty teacher in their eyes. I prefer that they dislike me, and allow me to teach what I want.

Remember, my mission is: To stay alive after everyday.

This is the only way in order to stay alive.

But there are some sweet moments too.

Just today, one student from my class lent me his own art & craft book, saying it could help me in teaching them art. (I also have to teach them art subjects).

Woa~~~actually, I was quite surprised. I dunno if it's because I'm a lousy teacher n that I need to do better, or he just want to share something with me. (Hmmm.....mixed feelings over this)

Then, cos' I'd relief some other classes this week, though I dun recognized them (there are so many different faces in different classes), wherever I walk abt in school, I could still hear some students calling me 'Ms Wen' around the corner. Then I would see small faces smiling n waving at me and calling me.

Hahahaa...I was pretty surprised some students would still do that. Cos' I've been an 'AP' (Attitude problem) teacher this week.

Seems like there's pro's n con's to this job.

I'm still keeping my fingers cross. It's still early to say anything yet.

P.S: for your info, I've actually met 2 of my JC classmates teaching in the same school! WOuld you believe it! I've never thought they would become teachers. Cos' they are considered the naughtiest in class at that time! Hahaahaha............ N now they are in NIE, in this school for attachment.

Hope you guys will pass your exams n projects with flying colours.

N Ros, thanks for your encouragement.

BTW, where's our dear Kian Ann's post??????

~Caizhuang~

*Keep on fighting everyday*

endurance is my nickname

heylow caizhuang...its only ur 8th day rite? i tink u need patience.

i hev the same thing going on for my current job...str8 to the point, i dun like call ctr and find it mundane...i feel i could do more than juz ans calls. but i just endure and keep on looking for other jobs. my working envt and colleagues and even customer are good. wat more can i ask for. only that mil said to me sometimes its better that way.

u need to be able to handle children...in a class...its tough. so if ure still alive at the end of the day, that means u finished half of the battle already. im sure day by day u'll noe the tricks and be able to manage them.

some people are born to be smart. some are not. but u can be smart if u put an effort and input. same applies to to be able to handle kids and be liked by them. some people are juz not well liked by kids. that where practice and experience comes in when ure handling kids. expecially a class of 30kids.

i take my hat off for you. coz honestly, i tink i will broke down.i've always wanted to teach but i also know i'll have this kids management thing. hehe. tuition alone i cant help cursing my tuition kids at times. but still, they're cute. akekeke.

so yeah..juz be patience and see where it leads u. give yourself time oke.

and honestly, until now i dun noe wat exactly i wanna do in life. reallie. and it sucks. ive always go with the flow. endurance is my nickname now.

how irony can my entry be.

so clan, anyone wanna go holiday? hehehe

-linah

My 8th day at Admiralty Pri..........

Mission (before I start my day in school): To Stay Alive By the End of the Day

You guys dun laugh ok.......I'm not exaggerating. It's the way it is now in school.

After last friday's blog, I've an urge to quit this lousy job and join Huijuan at her company. They need people. Felt that it's better to face a nasty boss then terrible, uncontrollable children!

This thought came to me today, before I went to school. Last friday, I was so pissed off by my P5 calss I walked out of the classroom! And I kana 'talked' by my supervisor. Cos it's seems that I was 'complained' by the students!.

Roslinah, if you are still keen in teaching, better you read my blog first.

You cannot be friendly to them. They are still very cute, and would be your friends if you want to.

But if you want a class of 30 ppl to sit downb and listen as you teach, NEVER BE THEIR FRIENDS!

Or they will clobber you! Trust me. They will walk all over your heads and you cant teach them anymore.

I'm giving myself another chance. I;m counting down to July already. Cos' that's the time for NIE intake. I'm suppose to receive a letter from them informing me if I'm enrolled into NIE this yr. If not, will have to wait till next yr.

The reason y I'm counting down to this day is because, by then, I'll deceide if I want to quit anot.

P.S: I really, really like to teach. BUT, I DON'T LIKE to teach Primary students!

I would prefer to teach poly students. You can dun care if they dun attend your lecture, as long they can finish their projects and pass their exams.

You can't do that in pri school!

~Caizhuang~