Hey, Boys and Girls.
It has been a really long time since I last took a peek at this forum, and reading the posts brings back the memories of those nerve wrecking days of just waiting for a reply. All I can say is to just try to go about your daily life, and do not get too hung up over receiving a response within the stipulated timeframe provided. Do not compare the response rate of others and yours, it will either torment you more, or give you relief, but either ways, MOE HQ has their own special ways of doing things so... just be patient.
Like some of you, I have been through the endless waiting too, but my successful attempt only came after trying for 4years. My last attempt in July 2018 was my successful try. But mind you, I was made to wait for 4 months before my first status changed, and only went for my EPT in Dec 2018. Then I was made to wait further for my medical test by another couple more months. I only received my letter of offer almost 9months later. Can you imagine waiting almost 9 months to get accepted into PGDE? So I waited 9 months to finally start my mandatory contract teaching in July 2019, but I also got pregnant at that time. Talk about immaculate timing, right? I should have just gotten pregnant during the waiting time! Well, my contract teaching got extended, and now I’m preparing to go to NIE in Dec 2021 whilst I continue my contact with my current school. Nevertheless, I am still thankful to have this chance.
Anyway, the road to get to where I am now has been arduous and tiring, mostly mentally draining. But I am just glad I persisted, as I knew being a teacher is ultimately a calling, not a job. I hope you are aware that once you decide to become a teacher, you are to bear the role of being a counsellor, role model, disciplinarian, nanny, friend and a parent from 0730-2pm. You have to truly do what you love, and be ready to make plenty of personal sacrifices along the way. Weekends won’t be the same, and there is no such thing as leaving work on the dot. Also, get ready to face the multitude of scenarios that will wedge you between your professionalism as a teacher and your sanity. Take this COVID HBL period, it literally threw a curve ball for all of us in school. But we had to just push on as a school unit, and put our mental and physical health to the back burner test.
The teaching never ends, but neither does the learning either. New day, new experiences, new knowledge. You are going to have to learn to unlearn, in order to learn. I just hope you are quick to adapt, and you are going to need to be humble and ask for help. Your students and your colleagues are going to be your best teachers. I got lucky and was posted to my alma mater primary school, and the teachers that taught me back then are still teaching. It was a full circle moment for my teachers and I. Their dedication is honestly admirable.
So, what kind of teacher are you going to be? The type that merely relies on regurgitation from texts and PowerPoint slides, or the type that is going to go beyond the call of your duty to nurture these young and impressionable minds? It is really not as easy as it seems, but I love every minute of it. I hope you guys find what empowers you to go forth in this journey, and may we finally meet on Dec 2020!