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Article from ST Recruit, 7 January 2005
Shaping young mind
So you want to be a teacher. You think you will make a good one, and you feel confident that you will enjoy teaching. Well, think again.
The teaching profession is one of the most demanding and rewarding professions that one can ever consider. In Singapore, the teaching profession has, until recently, been regarded as one that is neither glamorous nor lucrative. It is also a common perception, although a wrong one, that once you embark on teaching, you are stuck with it.
As the father of two school going children, I was relieved when the Education Ministry decided that it was time for change. Some moves have been positive and good, while others could do with more fine-tuning.
At the core of the education issues are teachers who are going to deliver education the new Singaporean way. Besides education and training, more is needed before one becomes a good and effective teacher.
1. Passion
In career management, interest takes precedence over competence. With interest, you can always become competent. But not the other way round. In making a career choice, you must first have the interest before developing the passion. If you have the interest but not the passion, you can still teach, but you may not make a very effective teacher.
2. Ability to teach
Teaching is the imparting of knowledge to others. Having the knowledge does not mean that you can teach. It is not about getting the information to students, expecting them to absorb it and then saying they have been taught and that they have learnt from you. Teachers must be able to liven up lessons by making the topic at hand relevant to their students. For example, a subject like literature can be linked to moral issues.
3. Staying current
Teachers must stay current and relate to the changes in the world. Take time and trouble to read widely, so you won't appear ignorant if your students ask: "Sir, what is your view on Singapore's efforts to promote the life sciences industry?" Another advantage of staying on top of things is you will be more able to engage with your students.
4. Team player
Teachers should never be expected to be the sole educators. Parents have to be part of the team that nurtures and educates. Then the children will grow up to be healthy and well-balanced individuals who do not see setbacks in life as permanent scars; who are able to laugh at themselves and who do not need to win all the time.
Teachers must also not take on the role of judge. Or worse still, take on the roles of judge, jury and executioner. Teachers who receive e-mails or calls from parents should make the effort to respond. Teamwork is an important element in overall education and upbringing.
5. Honing listening skills
Effective communicators listen more than they speak. The young are not ignorant, neither are they stupid. Take time to listen to what they are saying, learn to read body language and in between the lines. "I am always late for school because I always oversleep" can mean more than meets the eye, for example, having family problems or staying up late surfing the Net.
6. Take risks and act on them
While teachers must be mindful that rules are not meant to be broken, once in a while, they can be with good reason. Especially doing so is good for your class or a particular student. Exercise your initiative and wisdom.
7. Pat them on the back
Students not only have to manage schoolwork, they also have to take part in many learning commitments outside school hours. Teachers should know that students vary in capabilities and mental strength in handling the load. Give them a break. A smile and a pat on the back goes a long way in relieving stress. Show them that you care and want to support them.
8. Go the extra mile
If possible, go the extra mile for your students. It could mean an extra three hours for you after school but for them, it could mean much more than that. Treat them like your own if possible and give them the best.
9. Admit your mistakes
Teachers also make mistakes, just like every one else. Admitting your mistakes and even apologising is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes a brave person, someone who has plenty of self-esteem and confidence to admit that she is not perfect in every way. Your students will respect you for this.
10. Manage your emotions better
Everyone goes through stressful periods and teachers are no exceptions. However, they are expected to have better management over their own emotions. The mark of a mature person is one who has good control over his emotions and does not let stress or problems affect his actions and decisions.
The educational system in Singapore can move in only one direction forward if it is ever going to remain a force to be reckoned with in the global business world. It must produce a society of strong, educated and globally minded people if Singaporeans are going to stay in the game.
Article by Paul Heng, founding president of the Asian Association of Career Management Professionals, and managing director at NeXT Career Consulting. Log on to www.nextcareer.net for details. This article first appeared in ST Recruit on January 07, 2005.
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