In this series of chats with our staff, we get up close and personal. They share about things like their favourite drinks, to their experiences and motivations at work.
Hello, could you introduce yourself? I am Jade, I am an English teacher teaching the K2 class this year at Tampines Centre.
What does a typical day at work look like?
Usually I wake up early in the morning, I need one and a half hours to prepare myself - to shower and have my breakfast. Usually when I come to work, I prepare my lessons first, and clean up the classroom a little bit.
What’s the most exciting part of the day for you?
It's when I’m conducting my lessons everyday, and also when I’m spending time chatting with the children, such as when they drink their water, or when they have their snacks or lunch.
What is a pick me up that you need to keep you going?
Woah. Hmm I guess that would be something that is sweet like bubble tea, chocolate, candies!
Why are you in the early childhood sector?
My mom was a teacher, I was encouraged by her to choose the same path.
What keeps you motivated?
For the children when it’s time for them to explore the learning spaces, when I see them enjoying themselves very much and learning a lot - that encourages me and fuels me to improve more and incorporate their interests into the learning spaces.
There was a time when you moved centres a few times when you saw a need. What motivated you to do that?
Yes, I was originally from Tampines Centre since 2017 then went to Jurong West in 2022 for 10 months, and transferred back to Tampines Centre in Dec 2022. It would be the teamwork in Tampines Centre that really convinced me to go back cos it matters when you are in a healthy environment with colleagues who are very supportive, encouraging and kind. That’s why I was really convinced to go back.
How would you motivate a fellow teacher?
I would tell the teacher to think of the children first and foremost. Teaching is not something we do for any other reason but the children. Without the heart to do it for the children this work is not for you.
We have to be mindful about our actions. Children’s minds are like a sponge, they do learn a lot from the teachers - we are role models to them.
What is one quality that a teacher must have?
No.1 would be patience, no. 2 also to be kind especially to the children because they are vulnerable and they really need an adult to guide them and encourage them and build up their confidence. No 3. We have to be mindful about our actions. Children’s minds are like a sponge, they do learn a lot from the teachers - we are role models to them.
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