'O' Levels...and then what?
I did not know what I wanted to do after my 'O' Levels. I had options but I was not sure about any of them. I ended up joining Temasek Polytechnic's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, taking up Gerontological Management Studies. My grandmother who was suffering from Dementia was staying with us back then, and I took up that course with her in mind. I did not enjoy it though, I felt a sense of dread every time I attended lectures and tutorials. When she passed in 2013, I mustered up the courage to tell my parents I wanted to drop the course for I really did not find any joy in it. I spent the following year applying to different courses at all 5 polytechnics around Singapore but my applications were unsuccessful.
The Phone Call
One afternoon of May 2014, I received a call from a small kindergarten who was looking for an Assistant Teacher urgently. Someone gave them my contact number and I thought, why not? This could lead to something. I agreed to take up the job but told them that I am applying to schools and it might be a temporary arrangement.
The Beginning
I was assisting the Kindergarten 2 level for 3 sessions. Being artistic, I volunteered to help them make teaching resources such as puppets and flashcards and set up Learning Corners for the children. I enjoyed the work and being in the company of children everyday was refreshing and exciting. In January 2015, a boy on the spectrum, A, joined the Kindergarten. One of my tasks was to shadow him during his session. Being non-verbal, I had to figure out a way to communicate and connect with him. On weekends, I would be reading up about Autism or making resources for him. These resources really helped us understand each other and I felt a warm sense of accomplishment at the end of the year when his parents mentioned how the resources I made helped them at home. It was at that point when I decided that this was what I wanted to do. I want to be with children and their families and meeting milestones and celebrating accomplishments together.
I became Teacher Aisyah!
The team at the kindergarten assigned me to my very first class in 2016, and taking the graduating class. I was untrained but I had mentors who were holding my hand and guiding me through. I was involved in the planning for school events such as the K2 overnight camp and the K2 Graduation. The experiences were exhilarating. I used the time after work to make more resources for the school but I never thought of it as bringing work home, but instead as something I truly enjoyed doing.
In a casual conversation over lunch after one of our events, the Principal suggested that I take up a part-time diploma at SEED Institute. I agreed almost immediately as I was convinced that this was what I truly wanted to do. Trying to find the balance between work and school was definitely not easy, but I kept reminding myself about the end goal; which was to make a difference in the children's lives. Exposing myself to like-minded people at school really helped and allowed us to bounce off ideas between one another. Being novice teachers, we needed all the help and support we could get. It was also at school when I met someone who asked if I wanted to grow and develop in a new environment.
Kindergarten to Childcare
So I did! I bid goodbye to the kindergarten who had showed me so much and started my journey in the childcare scene. It was a definite culture shock for me! I took a while but I learnt their routines and grasped the different SOPs in place. It was a smaller organisation as compared to the kindergarten I was previously at, and being adventurous, I took up new projects and even took the lead for the Graduation Ceremony and Concert!
While it was really great, it was not sustainable for me to spend 1.5 hours of commute to the childcare every day. Through a friend's recommendation, I secured an interview at a much larger organisation. The Centre was still in the midst of setting-up and they were actively recruiting. Setting-up a new Centre was fun! I networked with teachers from the other branches and got to know more about the Brand while I was at it. It was an experience I will always remember. I was in my final year of school and was in the midst of my practicum. It was a busy period and I had so many learning opportunities. Upon my course completion, I requested to take a K1/K2 class for the following year as I have always enjoyed engaging in conversations and discussions with the older children.
My principal felt that I was ready and gave me a Kindergarten 1 class and a new task: to embark on the ECDA Innovation Grant Project in 2019. I still remember that day very clearly. I was cleaning up my classroom after my shift when she told me about it. When I looked at the application form, my heart jumped when I saw that the deadline was 2 days away. I spoke to my level partner and we decided to take up the challenge. To our surprise, we received the grant and went on to embark on the project.
2020: The New Normal
2020 changed a lot for most of us, if not all. I followed my K1 class up and had plans for their graduation. To my dismay, we went into the Circuit Breaker (CB) and converted to Home-Based Learning. We recorded videos conducting lessons for the children who are unable to attend the stipulated online lessons so that they can keep up.
We had a new Centre Principal and she had to make decisions in line with the new regulations that were rolled out. I was amazed at how calmly and quickly she problem-solved. The teachers were clear on the SOPs and daily operations were smooth. I told my level partner that I found the new Principal inspiring and that I wanted to be mentored by her.
The pandemic did not hinder us from providing rich learning experiences for the children. We tried our best to give them a memorable graduating year and we had fun amidst the ever-changing regulations. It was most definitely a year we will never forget. It was the first time the graduation ceremony was going to be held in school and we worked hard to give the children a ceremony they deserved. The children were very excited to come to a decorated classroom for their ceremony. It reminded me of my purpose and I felt a sense of fulfilment.
2021: The Climb
When I returned from Maternity Leave in 2021, my level partner welcomed me back with fantastic news: we were shortlisted by ECDA for the Innovation Grant Project that we did in 2019! We presented our project to ECDA and was also given recognition by BusyBees Asia for the innovative practices that we implemented in the Centre. We were invited to do a sharing during the annual BusyBees Asia Symposium and had audience from Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam! I learnt so much from that experience, such as being confident to share innovative, though some unconventional, practices to enrich and extend the children's learning.
My wish came true: I was mentored closely by my Principal to develop my teaching and learning practices. She assigned me to my first mentee and gave me opportunities to network and learn from other teachers outside the Centre.
It was a long journey to get to where I am today, and I am excited to go through every experience with an open heart to learn and develop as a person and as a professional.
Comments