Hi May,
In response to what you ask me, purely from my own perspective:
What personality attributes make one suitable to become a teacher?
From what I've seen, it's a myraid of personalities and characters out in the teaching field. But mostly, they are one of the sincerest people I've ever seen. Usually helpful, warm, friendly and comparatively unpolitical (comparing with the people working in the private sector). I've been to four schools and I must say there are 'cold' teachers around, but it really depends on the school culture. The principal makes a hell lot of diff!
How can one succeed as a teacher?
It depends on your definition of 'success'. I know of teachers who just want success with the kids ie. help them to succeed in their academics or create a fun learning environment.
However, most measure 'success' in teaching as climbing up the ladder ie. the leadership track (teacher, HOD, principal, superintendant ...). To do that, you need to be very driven to win awards for the school. Be pally with the management of course and be seen at different school events as prominent person and lead committees, have various successful projects (which preferably win awards of course) on your well-written work review.
What is the salary scale of a teacher?
I'm not sure about now, but ten years ago, an 'A' leveler started from $1.2k while a degree holder started from $1.8k (normal degree) to $2.7k (first class hons) I think. You go google for MOE website lah. They will have the updated info.
They have different salary scale for people who switch career though. And those who do mid-career change are promoted faster and have more frequent increments to make up for the gap.
What are the occupational hazards of being a teacher?
Like what's mentioned: high blood pressure, heart problems.
Another common one is depression.
A friend called MOE to ask to change school as the school already know about her depression history. But MOE told her,"Depression is a very common thing among teachers. Not to worry."
I've heard about others: miscarriage (becos of the frequent walking and standing) and a condition linked to the neck muscle (also becos of the long hours of standing and walking).
Do you ultimately enjoy your job? How long have you been a teacher?
I once read that if you've been in a job for half a year, a job become just that: a job. I won't say I 'enjoy' my job. I mean, how much can you like creating powerpoint slides for every lesson, worksheets, lesson plans to the minutes, printing worksheets, counting worksheets to distribute to the teachers, typing minutes afer meetings, filling out surveys after surveys, attending workshops and courses for 100 hours after school, do assignments for the courses you attend (which don't do anything to help you in your promotion) and looking for paper evidences every half a year for the sake of documenting items for the sake of some VIP visits? But so far, it hasn't bore me like my previous jobs had. I probably have a restless spirit that cannot be bored. But I find it irritating that work is created for the sake of making teachers work. An eg: lesson plan and resources for the same lesson are created already, but next year, must have a NEW lesson plan for the same lesson, with new teaching resources. NEW worksheets must be created year after year, for the same purpose.
How long ah? If you're asking about the trained teaching, it's just five years. If you're asking about when I signed on the dotted line, it's ten years.
