Why Teachers Quit?!

In a large way, I'm glad I'm done with the O level English Oral Exams. This means that my afternoons are back in order for me to catch up with work and marking... Well, that was what I thought. But no. I am clearing up the backlog of my Sec 2 kids who have yet to sit for their oral exams. And so every afternoon, I see myself staying back again for another two hours or so clearing batches of students as they sit in front of me reading, talking about some picture and some topic I give them. It's tiring considering I start my exams without a lunch break immediately after my last lesson for the day.

And so, lunch these days are at 4pm if I am lucky.

I came across a second-hand bookshop over the weekend and was surprised to find a book written by a local, Enzo Liow, entitled "Why Teachers Quit?!" The first question I asked was "Is this book legal?" Ha.. typical civil servant in me. Out of curiosity, I asked the girl at the counter to let me take a look at the book. Flipping through, I saw familiar words such as HOD, Parents, Students, Marking.... Things we teachers face each day. The book costs $14.90. I thought it was a smart way for the author to make a quick buck. I thanked the girl at the counter. I told her I didn't need to spend $14.90 for all the things I already know.

I wonder how useful the book would have been for aspiring teachers, or for me when I decided to come into teaching. Hadn't I not known all these would be coming? I wonder how my NIE mates are coping. I wonder if they share the same sentiments as those found in the book.

On the other hand, others have written about the joys of teaching, the fulfilment and the rich experience in shaping others' lives. I've known of teachers who stick by their jobs regardless. What makes these stay and others go?

So, does it boil down to the individual, or is it a mixture of both the individual and the system he is made to be put in. Does he grow with the system or does he get trapped in it? Do we blame the individual or the system? What can and should be done?

Oral exams these days and more...

Tired. This is day four of the O Level English oral exams and I feel tired. That's because it means some eight afternoons are burnt just listening to bad English - well almost. Well, to be honest, I was a little entertained by some. I tried hard not to laugh when a student said that "the boy looks very concentrated". I think he meant "he looks as if he's concentrating hard." In my mind, and with a growling stomach, I began to wonder how a "diluted boy" looked like... Heh..

OK - 2 Integrity. You are beginning to make me smile at you. I am impressed by the efforts most of you made today to ensure you did well for your oral presentation. It wasn't easy, I know, but some of you gathered all your courage and did your best. And for that, I applaud you. You made me so proud of you, I really had no qualms giving some of you the full marks. I see that you can rise up to the occasion too if it calls for it. All of you have so much potential, I wonder why some of you decide to keep it within you when you can manifest it. I especially enjoy it when you compete just so to get better marks. Keep that competitive spirit within you and drive yourself to be better always. You can only get better, right? And so, 2 Integrity - don't let me down, but more importantly, don't let yourself down.

:)

Angels Brought Me Here

Yes, it is a fairly old song, sung by Guy Sebastian - Australian Idol 2004. But I'm totally in love with it. I've been listening to it over and over and over again... Too bad I can't fit the song in here, but I'd like to share with you the lyrics... So beautiful...

ANGELS BROUGHT ME HERE
By Guy Sebastian

It's been a long and winding journey, but i'm finally here tonight
Picking up the pieces, and walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory, where my heart and future lies
There's nothing like that feeling, when i look into your eyes...

My dreams came true, when i found you
I found you, my miracle...

If you could see, what i see, that you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Standing here before you, feels like i've been born again
Every breath is your love, every heartbeat speaks your name...

My dreams came true, right here in front of you
My miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Brought me here to be with you,I'll be forever grateful (oh forever Faithful)
My dreams came true
When I found youMy miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Yes they brought me here... If you could feel, the tenderness i feel...
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

I've been on MC

Yes, my kids have been asking me why I haven't been to school lately. They have been asking why I have been on MC so often lately. And as much as I don't want to say much, I think I owe them an explanation - as well as caring colleagues who have been asking what happened to me.

Well, in short, I have been visiting the hospital lately for more checks, and Monday saw me going through a colonoscopy. From morning, I had to take some awful concoction that "prepared" my intestines for the procedure. In the coldness of the various operating rooms in the endoscopy ward at SGH, I was given a jab that saw me passing out so I was spared the discomfort of the whole procedure.

When I awoke, I was glad to find mum by my side, telling me that the doc said nothing seriously wrong was with me. He'd see me again in two weeks to follow up on further treatments if necessary. I couldn't remember when I was wheeled out, or when the procedure ended, or how I got down from the bed. All I remember was I was given a hot cup of Milo by the nurse and my stomach hurt like hell. The nurse promised me the pain would subside. Thankfully, by the time I reached home, it did.

I felt nauseous the next day, and decided that I needed a longer rest than I had anticipated. A big bruise surfaced below the plaster that covered the injection mark. The pain in my abdomen comes on and off - an acute pain that alternates between the left and right regions. I've lost my appetite for my usual sustenance, and I dread meal times. My stomach feels like it is in a mess. Well, at least I am glad it's not as bad as what the other doc thought it could have been - cancer.

So, thanks my kids for your care and concern. This is what happened. This is why Miss Chew has been absent. And she hopes she doesn't have to be absent for so many days for a while...

I must say, when I returned to school on Wednesday, I was touched by my form class, 3 Diligence. For some reason, they decided to clean the classroom til it sparkling clean.. well, almost. It was as if it was their way of welcoming me back. In a way, I missed them. Sometimes, I wished they were more motivated, more driven to want to do well. It saddens me to see some give up so easily. Where is that spirit of resilience? Where is the enthusiasm? Where is the drive, the spirit? Where is the power of their youth?!

If I ever want to see anything, I'd like to see them develop these qualities. I'd love to see them succeed and be so proud of themselves, of their achievements. I'd like them to reach the top and one day say to themselves - yes, I've made it.

This is my vision for you, my dear 3 Dil...