We both agreed that teachers are amazing people – not everyone can lead the type of happening and hectic working lifestyle which they have. Primary school teachers are more than just teachers; they are also investigators, disciplinarians, babysitters, judges, listeners… The roles that they play seem to be endless. He was telling me how difficult it was to inspire his students to think on their own and not just leeched on answers i.e. the process is more important than the results, but his students don’t care. Well, I forgave him because some of my students are also more concerned about the final answer than the thinking process.

I was telling him how thankful I would be if he were to be able to instill discipline among his students, as well as create a group of young thinking students. Well, it is hard to do so but that I guess should be the aim of educators. But is it really possible? After all, there are occasions where we do feel totally helpless and demoralized.

Hmm, I don’t know what the rest of you are thinking because if you never taught you wouldn’t know. Yes, some of you think that teaching is a good way to earn money but is that really true? Do you think you are able to handle the young ones of today (or even of yesterday, i.e. YOU)? It is tough, but I’m thankful for my job because the most tiring thing I’m doing now is nagging at my students. Waha! Guess I now fully understand my teachers’ feelings then. Oh ya, for those of you who think being in the army is hard because you have to handle subordinates, think again. Teachers cannot exactly punish their students ‘seriously’, and you are also not exactly working with adults who think. There is also another level of human interaction, i.e. parents, which is involved. So you really do need to balance everything!

Oh well, no matter what I must say that education is important. After all, human resource is Singapore’s most valuable assets. At the end of the day, even if its just 1 or 2 students who benefited from your teachings, you still feel satisfied that you have made a difference to somebody’s life, or even society. Hehe, I’m not been a promoter for MOE, but it is true; there is quite a high level of satisfaction that can be gained from the job. Furthermore, a teacher’s starting salary is one of the highest around. So for those who want a career switch and a challenge, you can try teaching!