Cheryl's reflections

Workload: I think my main issue, which I eventually shared with my CT and HOD, was that I took forever to plan a lesson.There are few English lessons (if any at all) that I am truly satisfied with. I had problems planning lessons that were engaging for the entire 55 mins. This was partly attributed to the fact that none of my EL classes were accustomed to group work, as my CT found them unsuitable for group work. Thus there were many sleepless nights where I struggled over how to teach summary writing creatively, or how to teach modal auxiliaries in an engaging way. My classes had 10 minute attention spans, so as advised by my CT, it was best that I did notalk for more than 10 minutes, and things had to evolve and change every 10 minutes….which was quite challenging. I was fortunate to have an encouraging EL CT who always gave me insightful feedback. At first I was quite daunted by the APT forms that the other practicum teachers received. None of them received a single minus, and their entire form was filled with pluses. I wasn't sure what they were doing that I did not do, but I soon appreciated the way my CT didn't mince her words with me. Some of my best learning sessions were with my CT and my Sup. 

Other than lesson planning, we had TTT (Timetabling time) twice a week, half of which was spent discussingand brainstorming ideas for the new Language Arts programme next year. Those sharing and brainstorming sessions were really good, and I learnt a lot from the HOD and the rest of the teachers. Staff meetings were kept to a minimum, and they were always rather efficient and engaging. I was also present at the school's Homecoming Day (I manned the ice truck and watched the P & VP get dunked!) and Sport's day (I was a blur timekeeper). I also attended the staff bonding day on my 2nd day in X, where I climbed trees with the VP in my team and competed with the P's team in dragonboating, so that was quite an eye-opening experience.  

Staff/School culture:Compared to the discipline in my contract school, X's discipline system is excellent. All of my EL classes were my CT's most challenging and mischievous classes, but I did not have any major discipline problems with them.There was none of the extreme defiance that I dealt with in my contract school, or perhaps that's because I didn't teach the NT classes :/ And we were advised to teach the N(A) classes as if they were low-ability express students, because they were bright students. Apparently, there is a waiting list of students who want to be transferred to the normal stream classes here because X has a reputation for its good N(A) programme or something. Unlike some schools, X does much for their N(A) classes. Most N(A) classes are allocated excellent teachers, and they were even first on the list for the installation of Smartboards. The school also has a reward system whereby classes can earn stickers for good behaviour etc. Every week, the winning class gets to spend a few hours in the recreational room (which has a TV, Wii, Playstation and all that bling). Interestingly, it is a Sec. 5 class that has consistently earned a hundred stickers per week and even received glowing letters from teachers. They have such class spirit that they even recite their class cheers during assembly!!

For a neighbourhood school, X's school spirit is pretty strong. The P has a huge role in this, and she truly participates and interacts with the students in any possible way. I was truly impressed when I heard that both the P and the former VP have been known to personally teach the graduating classes Chemistry and Physics. As for the EL department, it is known for staying the latest and working the hardest... Some of the teachers here are very young, such as my HOD. Even my P is the youngest P in Singapore (or so I heard). But as all the Practicum teachers were seated in a separate staff room (due to lack of space), I did not have much day-to-day interaction with the teachers in my department...which brings me to one problem... My CT told me that some teachers felt that I only  deserved to pass my practicum because I wasn't 'seen' around the pantry or the main staff room, and that I appeared too soft-spoken and quiet and unapproachable. Ironically, both of my CTs and my Sup told me to speak softer in class because I was too loud. Yes I know some people would find that hard to believe! After all that my CT told me, I tried to turn up at the main staff room more often and smile unceasingly at my colleagues. I guess I would keep working on that... The teachers in X do seem genuine, so I am not bitter about it. And I am really thankful for my CT who defended me. :) 

Another thing...Despite my own dissatisfaction with my performance, my CTs and my HOD were very encouraging and they were always sensitive to remind me that they too struggled with these issues in the start of their teaching career. I am also glad that my whole perspective of teaching (lessonplanning, classroom management etc) has changed dramatically over the last 10 weeks. I think I have a much clearer picture of how to do the little things that matter during a lesson. Not just to do them, but to do them right. These things include how to deal with students who refuse to be paired up (or to do group work) because of their petty friendship issues, being careful to always ask different students to answer questions and how to have a good classroom routine at the start and end of the lesson. I believe the little things have a great impact at times…Something that I still continually grapple with...is the importance of separating activities from learning points. It is one thing to plan activities, and it is truly another to assume that students have learnt something. Or in other words, it is one thing to perceive that the students enjoyed the activity and learnt what was to be learnt, and it is another thing to realise that the students simply thought that it was a fun respite from worksheets...and nothing more. 

That said, teaching has really been my toughest learning journey...I worked 17-19 hour days half the time, and I have never worked so hard all my life (!!!) but I am glad to begin this journey at X :)