Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A tribute: "Never assume anything!"
Yep, "Never assume anything!" Those were the first words he told me when I first stepped in.
My Geog colleague was posted out of school. It took us all by surprise. No warning system in place. Not that he knew either. How can one not even be informed or kept posted... especially when it's such a major issue? The worse thing is, it's the middle of the year! Just when we are starting revision for the Year 2s, how can a teacher be posted out?
The main reason is because we were declared excess. How can we possibly be in excess if I'm straddling both levels and both H1s and H2s? And piled with a civics class and project work?? But I guess, other schools have to be worse off then. But doesn't common sense tell you that Humanities teachers are high in demand? So if there is any school which has the 'intelligence' to declare excess, the BOSS will definitely transfer people out? Oh... too bad the head is too engrossed in his main business to give a heck about the co-curricular subjects. Any layman can tell you that Geography has TWO components - physical and human - and they CANNOT POSSIBLY be taught together in the same lecture or tutorial!! Where's the BRAIN?!!
*Gasps and covers mouth like a bimbo* "Oh, did it exist before?"
Office politics sucks.
Know what sucks? I should be the one to leave. Because I'm the youngest one in the department, and that's usually the practice. But this was an exception! He saw me that day and said, "Come here" in a tone that was never used before. He told us that he was leaving, and I was totally shocked. Then he dropped those words, "They prefer you over me."
Man... my heart sunk. Why do this?!! I'm guessing that my National Weather Study Project which came in 3rd, and the Geog fieldtrip were the deciding factors for me. But whether staying or not is a good thing is debatable.
My poor colleague has been bullied here, by various individuals, and it's good that he is leaving for greener pastures. Thank God for watching over him. He was just in the midst of regaining his confidence and this bomb had to be dropped on him. Thank God for posting him to where he might feel comfortable, where the culture is probably more suitable, where he knows people. I pray that he will have a better time there.
As for my side, I will just have to adapt fast. I think I will feel lost without him around, because he is the BRAIN. Who else can I turn to?? Although he's full of idiosyncracies, he's a pretty nice fella. I turn to him for advice with respect to academic stuff, and I must say his research skills and notes are tip-top. (Well, better than mine!) The rapport I built with him has been good too! I whine to him whenever possible. Haha! The school's just gonna lose a talent, a talent which nobody recognises except those who work closely with him and take the effort to get to know him. Well, I pray that the colleagues in the new school will be wiser, and provide him the encouragement he needs.
Apparently I am to take on his workload, his civics class and all the Yr2 classes that were previously under him. The prospect of taking his civics class is not exactly smooth-sailing, as they are the worst performing Arts class. And to have all the J2 classes (H1s and H2s) under my wing is quite daunting for a new teacher.
The worst thing? They are taking away my J1 civics class, after I built up such terrific rapport, set the tone right and got them working, etc. It sucks.
The best thing? No more project work! Yes!
But whatever they claim or 'promise' cannot be taken for real. Last year they promised me no civics class and all... I got EVERYTHING. So we'll see. Take it as it comes. If God knows I can do it, He will give it to me and guide me along. I just wanna do everything to the best of my ability, and whine a bit here and there. Haha!
My Geog colleague was posted out of school. It took us all by surprise. No warning system in place. Not that he knew either. How can one not even be informed or kept posted... especially when it's such a major issue? The worse thing is, it's the middle of the year! Just when we are starting revision for the Year 2s, how can a teacher be posted out?
The main reason is because we were declared excess. How can we possibly be in excess if I'm straddling both levels and both H1s and H2s? And piled with a civics class and project work?? But I guess, other schools have to be worse off then. But doesn't common sense tell you that Humanities teachers are high in demand? So if there is any school which has the 'intelligence' to declare excess, the BOSS will definitely transfer people out? Oh... too bad the head is too engrossed in his main business to give a heck about the co-curricular subjects. Any layman can tell you that Geography has TWO components - physical and human - and they CANNOT POSSIBLY be taught together in the same lecture or tutorial!! Where's the BRAIN?!!
*Gasps and covers mouth like a bimbo* "Oh, did it exist before?"
Office politics sucks.
Know what sucks? I should be the one to leave. Because I'm the youngest one in the department, and that's usually the practice. But this was an exception! He saw me that day and said, "Come here" in a tone that was never used before. He told us that he was leaving, and I was totally shocked. Then he dropped those words, "They prefer you over me."
Man... my heart sunk. Why do this?!! I'm guessing that my National Weather Study Project which came in 3rd, and the Geog fieldtrip were the deciding factors for me. But whether staying or not is a good thing is debatable.
My poor colleague has been bullied here, by various individuals, and it's good that he is leaving for greener pastures. Thank God for watching over him. He was just in the midst of regaining his confidence and this bomb had to be dropped on him. Thank God for posting him to where he might feel comfortable, where the culture is probably more suitable, where he knows people. I pray that he will have a better time there.
As for my side, I will just have to adapt fast. I think I will feel lost without him around, because he is the BRAIN. Who else can I turn to?? Although he's full of idiosyncracies, he's a pretty nice fella. I turn to him for advice with respect to academic stuff, and I must say his research skills and notes are tip-top. (Well, better than mine!) The rapport I built with him has been good too! I whine to him whenever possible. Haha! The school's just gonna lose a talent, a talent which nobody recognises except those who work closely with him and take the effort to get to know him. Well, I pray that the colleagues in the new school will be wiser, and provide him the encouragement he needs.
Apparently I am to take on his workload, his civics class and all the Yr2 classes that were previously under him. The prospect of taking his civics class is not exactly smooth-sailing, as they are the worst performing Arts class. And to have all the J2 classes (H1s and H2s) under my wing is quite daunting for a new teacher.
The worst thing? They are taking away my J1 civics class, after I built up such terrific rapport, set the tone right and got them working, etc. It sucks.
The best thing? No more project work! Yes!
But whatever they claim or 'promise' cannot be taken for real. Last year they promised me no civics class and all... I got EVERYTHING. So we'll see. Take it as it comes. If God knows I can do it, He will give it to me and guide me along. I just wanna do everything to the best of my ability, and whine a bit here and there. Haha!
# posted by Banana Saviour @ 11:13 PM 
