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Latest! Release of SPEA Newsletter 2025 Jubilee Edition
NIE PESS AWARD Recipient:
The Power of Words
According to Google, in a student-centred classroom, a teacher speaks around 3,100 to 5,200 words in a one-hour class. Words profoundly affect listeners, highlighting the deep impact teachers have on their students.
Like my students, I have listened, learned, and been shaped by many words during my contract teaching and time in NIE, words that have challenged and formed my experience as a Beginning Teacher. Just starting out on my teaching journey, I have not yet seen or experienced much of the profession and may not fully comprehend the challenges of navigating the school system. Yet, I hope my inexperience and ignorance might also remind you of the excitement and hopes you once had as a Beginning Teacher, and rekindle your passion for the teaching journey.
“I miss my NIE days” – a common phrase I heard from trained teachers before I entered NIE. They shared about the fun they had and the camaraderie they built with their classmates, which heightened my excitement about going to NIE, even as it was filled with uncertainty. Having gone through NIE, I can testify that this is true.
Being away from the busyness of school and fully embracing learning as students, NIE was a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of teaching, reflect on ourselves as teachers, and learn more about our learners, without the pressure of being judged or appraised for our work. It was a meaningful season of equipping before stepping into the realities of school. It was also an opportune time to build relationships with colleagues who are on the same journey together, providing a safety net of support for one another.
“Don’t forget why you came into teaching” – a refrain often heard in NIE. There were many opportunities for conversations that helped us refine and articulate our purpose for entering the profession and shape our teaching philosophy. Lecturers also shared how a clear sense of purpose carried them through difficult times in teaching. While I may not have fully appreciated the intent of such conversations during my time in NIE, I am now deeply thankful for the space it provided to reflect on these questions. As I step into schools, these reflections continue to anchor me as I navigate the challenges of teaching. While challenges are an inevitable part of both work and life, they do not diminish the value or purpose of what we do. Difficulties in relationships with stakeholders, heavy workloads, and circumstances beyond school may at times cloud our view of the system and weigh on our morale. Yet, even as we acknowledge and grieve its imperfections, let us hold fast to why we came into teaching, and allow that purpose to renew our strength as we press on together.
“Find your own style” – every teacher is unique and has their own strengths, hence the way each one teaches can be different. I have been fortunate to have mentors with different strengths, which naturally led them to conduct lessons very differently. By observing them and experimenting with their methods, I began my own journey of discovering what works best for me. I am thankful that these mentors recognised my strengths and helped me build on them, guiding me to uncover my own teaching style. They often challenge me to consider alternative approaches and ask difficult questions, but these challenges have been invaluable. They prompt me to reflect on and articulate my choices in teaching, helping me gain a deeper understanding of my rationale. Many times, we may feel defensive about doing things a certain way. I have learned, however, that these questions are not meant to judge, but to encourage us to see things from another perspective. There is no single perfect way to teach, and finding our style often requires experimenting, reflecting, and being willing to try new approaches. As we continue this journey, it is essential to keep an open mind, embrace growth, and trust the process. By doing so, we not only develop our unique teaching style, but also continually become better versions of ourselves.
“Some people just take a while to find their calling” – a simple, heartfelt comment I received after sharing my work experiences with a small group on NIE Convocation Day. At first glance, it might seem that I took a long time to discover what I truly wanted to do. I began my career as a Mechanical Engineer, and after a few years, I joined my football coach in a newly established charity organisation that works with children from lower-income families, teaching them values through football. Later, I transitioned to a full-time children’s pastoral role in church, while continuing to volunteer as a football coach, before eventually stepping into teaching.
To some, it may seem like I took a winding path before arriving in teaching. But for me, every stage has been guided by the same purpose: working with the next generation. My calling is to nurture and steward each young person entrusted to me, helping them realise their full potential. Teaching, coaching, and pastoral work are simply platforms through which I live out that calling. Along the way, we may encounter comments from others based on what they see on the surface, or when our journey does not align with their expectations. That is natural and need not discourage us. What truly matters is that we act with integrity, serve with excellence, and stay true to our purpose. When we do so, the impact of our efforts, though sometimes unseen at first, will speak for itself.
In Conclusion
In Conclusion
In closing, as we continue on our teaching journey, the circumstances we face or the words of others may sometimes challenge us, and it can be exhausting to share our thoughts and perspectives to keep the team aligned. Yet, even in these moments of fatigue, let us not forget why we began this journey and the joys we experience in making a difference in our students’ lives. As a Beginning Teacher, I have benefitted tremendously from the advice, guidance, and wisdom of experienced colleagues, and I am deeply grateful for the time and care they have invested in helping me grow. May we all continue to hold fast to our purpose, draw strength from our experiences, and embrace the joys and challenges of teaching with renewed passion.
Article contributed by:
Name : Ms Leong Fei Ping Jaslyn
Designation : PE Teacher
School : Telok Kurau Primary School
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