A teacher does not only teach. He/She is an admin officer, a counselor, a motivator, an observer, a babysitter... even a parent! Sometimes even first-aid skills are necessary... (actually everyone should learn first-aid!) The brain is stretched in all ways... from coming up with detailed lesson plans, creative teaching strategies, maintaining class discipline with 'monstrous' kids, handling an entanglement of admin stuff, having a hand in psychology... motivating students in order to produce good results, pushing for CCA achievements, dealing with kis with problems, being a friend yet maintaining the status quo, working in various school committees, etc. You wonder, how does one cope? In fact, some excel at it! The secret: Passion. Not $.

Gone are the days where teachers just teach and students listen obediently. Gone are the days where teachers work half-day. "Like sands through the hourglass... those are the days of our lives."

Let's embrace the new all-rounder, "bao1 gao4 liao4" teaching profession! Where we "mould the future". See? Teaching is a profession where not only your brains are invested, but your heart and soul, your emotions, your physical self, everything. We are dealing with 'malleable' young minds and tugging at the hearts of young kids, preparing them for the future. It's an important job. It's not an easy job. It's NOT a dumping ground! Argh!

Hmm... pay rise? Hee.