Thursday, March 27, 2008

MOE Singapore Teaching Job Interview Tips

Singapore Teaching Job Interview Tips

Thorough research and preparation will give you the confidence to shine in a teaching job interview. Even if your first interviews don't land you a job, you'll gain valuable experience for the future.

Preparation

1) Find out more about the organization

2) Prepare a short self- introduction first relevant to teaching as a career

3) Take note how teachers are dressed, your choice of interview clothing should fit this image

4) Brainstorm and rehearse answers to likely questions about your qualifications, relevant experience, that might be asked

5) Prepare all the necessary documents needed to bring down

6) Find out more about the interview process from your friends who are already teachers

7) Ask yourself why. Interviewers will ask you why you want to teach, so it's a good idea to work this out for yourself beforehand.

The Interview

Treat the interview as a classroom situation; project your sincere enthusiasm for teaching and pleasure in communicating with others. Answer questions specifically, using examples from your own relevant experience whenever possible.

Passion in teaching is not enough. The interviewers want to hear is how you plan to facilitate student learning. This happens when the teacher gears her lessons toward the students’ interest and the ability to show compassion. They don't want to hear how getting the teaching job benefits you. Yes it is important that you enjoy what you are doing, but they are looking for whether you have what it takes to teach.

Focus on the students; not only in how much you love working with them, but more on how you will help them grow, when the learning takes place. You must know how to tap into the students’ interest. You are fine to share your passion of teaching with the students, as a role model for example. But you must know how students’ learn, where their passions are, how their mind works, how their thinking gets running, and this is when learning takes place. Know how to use assessment to guide learning and facilitate interaction, to ensure students are learning. These are the kind of teachers that get hired.


Some ideas to convey in your interview: (Do not say exactly! Be creative, think of your own)

1) "The look in their eyes when they discover something"(state motivation)
2) I am compassionate and patient! (Cite real life examples)
3) I am someone they can trust. I am approachable and is a good listener (Give examples)
4) Student Involvement (any relevant experience)
5) What is your unique style of teaching strategies. Is it “creative thinking”, or “cooperative grouping", "peer tutoring" or anything that makes you stand out? Or are you a teacher who can inspire, and guide the students to think independently. Show your interviewer how you will accomplish this.

Don't come across as a teacher who will be harsh, controlling, demanding, insensitive, poor listener, arrogant, all-business, or anything "me" focused.

Be prepared to talk about your classroom management skills. Principals want teachers that are low-maintenance, who are people that know how to handle students with minimal help. You should be independent, good at discipline and have good classroom management skills.

Focus on your strengths, with real life examples. For example, when asked "What are your professional goals or career path?" Schools want teachers who are learners, who have bigger dreams than a classroom can hold. Talk about your skills and where you want to put your energy to use in the school community. Remember "When you're going to be working closely with people, it's important to show you care from the start."

Thank the committee before you leave. Good luck!

The Decision To be a Teacher In Singapore - Why and How To Be a Teacher In Singapore

The Decision To be a Teacher In Singapore


"How and Why be A Teacher In Singapore"

Becoming a teacher is a personal journey. It begins with inspiration - many want to become teachers from young, some decide before they enter University, others make the decision at mid-career.

Most teachers have had a classroom experience that was inspirational, a realization of a love of learning, a joy in striving for excellence. They have become teachers to pass on that experience.

Why Teach?

A career in teaching requires passion, talent and commitment. At the beginning of the journey, an aspiring teacher must ask a few essential questions: What do I want to teach? Where do I want to teach? What can I bring to the classroom that is unique?

Think about what age group and subject matter interest you and then pursue that path.

Is Teaching for me?


Take steps to find out if teaching is really for you. There are teachers who have come before you and have found their way through the system. Reach out to them.

There are difficult and important choices you will have to make along the way. It's essential that you get feedback early on in your journey.

Test the water: volunteer, tutor, substitute, work with kids, or observe a class. Get an inside look into teaching before making a commitment to becoming a teacher.


What is the certification for being a Teacher in Singapore?

Certification is the critical step a teacher must take in order to enter a classroom. It is the process of qualifying for the job - meeting the requirements set by Ministry of Education (MOE).

There are many roads that can take you into the classroom. It's important to know your options. Requirements will. If you're serious about becoming a teacher, check out MOE Website and get the requirements you need to get certified in your state.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/teach/


The road to certification can be long and unyielding. Don't get overwhelmed. Persevere and you'll make it through the process. Be aware that your personal pathway to getting certified is determined by a combination of factors - your experience, the subject you intend to teach and other requirements.


What's Up Ahead

School systems are large and complex institutions. Prepare yourself for what's up ahead. Many teachers have experienced roadblocks. Don't despair. If you face any of these problems along the way, remember why you're there in the first place - to teach.

Stay focused and you'll come out stronger and more patient from the experience, all qualities that you'll need to bring to your first classroom.

Joy Of Teaching In Singapore – Thoughts from a Teacher’s Perspective of How to be a Good Teacher

Joy Of Teaching In Singapore – Thoughts from a Teacher’s Perspective of How to be a Good Teacher

The real joy of being a teacher is realizing my endeavours have touched someone’s heart. Making a difference in the direction their lives took. It is a never ending source of joy and pride to see our students succeed in ways they never imagined when they first came to us. Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile. Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.

What Makes A Good Teacher?

Good teachers require students to think, to solve problems, to pose questions, to wonder about the why behind the what that we know.

Good teachers establish high academic standards. These teachers require their students to demonstrate a high level of competency. They establish rigorous, but fair, grading criteria and they offer their students the support and encouragement needed to meet or exceed those criteria. Knowing what you can expect from students is really important.

Good teachers share the joy of being a teacher. They are enthusiastic about their subject matter, about teaching, and about students. They make their passion for teaching obvious to their students by taking an interest in the students themselves. Good teachers develop positive rapport with their students, which makes it more likely that students will attend class and participate in learning activities.

It is not enough to just to want to teach others. The others have to want to be taught. You have the gift of encouraging others to want to be taught.

Good teachers possess a deep sense of humanity and a seemingly boundless capacity for caring about others. They perceive themselves as partners with their students in the learning process. They realize full well that they cannot connect to, or reach all their students, but this awareness does not prevent them from trying.

Good teachers teach because that is what we would 'rather' be doing, privileged to have the opportunity to do what they love, with students who are ready and eager to share the joy.

Quotes from Teaching In Singapore

Quotes from Teachers

“If you want to get inspired, spend time with a child.”

“Later I realized that I enjoyed helping people learn. I felt that I could be of value to someone through teaching.”

“I want to share my love of learning with my students.”

“Every kid has a story. There are 30 stories every year. Every year I have 30 opportunities to improve at least one person's life.”

“I never say I'm going to work. I say I'm going to school. I don't see teaching as a job. It's way too much fun. I love what I do and I love my kids, even with the problems that I have to tackle everyday. I love being there - in the classroom.”

“I never say I'm going to work. I say I'm going to school. I don't see teaching as a job. It's way too much fun. I love what I do and I love my kids, even with the problems that I have to tackle everyday. I love being there - in the classroom.”

“Get involved in a youth program and tutor. Observe classes before you begin the process. It makes teaching much more tangible. I still observe classes and get so much out of it. I have learned a lot from watching other teachers' styles.”

“It was invaluable for me to observe before I taught. It gave me a real sense of what goes on in the classroom. Check out different grades and different teachers. Every teacher has a unique style and personality. It's important to figure out what works for you and how to come up with your own teaching style.”

“Keep an open mind. Remember you're going to make a lot of mistakes. The kids are your guinea pigs. If you mess up, believe me, they'll let you know.”

“No matter how difficult it gets, you have to remember that you are there to make a difference in society.”

“Try to get extra support when you start teaching. Networking with other teachers is so important. You're going to need to talk to other teachers for emotional and practical support and direction all along the way.”

“Get assigned a mentor your first year - it's essential.”

“Find an ally at your school with the same mindset who is willing to support you, a veteran teacher or a mentor at your school, and make sure that person has a positive attitude about teaching.”

“The most important thing to do is go in with a plan and know how you're going to manage your class. It's as basic as where the students will sit, how they will line up and how they will enter a classroom. You have to control the classroom from the beginning.”

"Our lives are unimportant, except for the influence we have on others." This is certainly one of the greatest joys of teaching - the difference we are allowed to make in the lives of our students.