Fed-up with your lectures in class already?
Try this PhD comedy.. I bet you will now fully understand (and remember) "Young Men in Superficial Stage" for a long, long time..
http://www.youtube.com/user/txlee1
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
ABC Learning : Hit by Childcare Chain's Fall
Big is not always the best.
Even one of the country's savviest investor, Temasek no less, can get it wrong.
There's a separate lesson to be learnt here too (see last sentence in article)..
Hit by childcare chain's fall
Temasek suffers heavy loss; too-rapid growth and boss' spending cited in collapse of firm
By Roger Maynard, Australia Correspondent
An ABC Learning childcare centre in Sydney, one of 1,075 in Australia that looked after 120,000 children. Their families must now make new arrangements for childcare.
THE crash of an Australian childcare chain run by a high-spending former milkman has thrown thousands of families into turmoil and left investors like Temasek Holdings in a black hole.
ABC Learning controlled 20 per cent of the country's childcare industry with 1,075 centres employing 16,000 staff who looked after 120,000 children. It also owns centres in New Zealand.
The firm's rapid expansion was underpinned by huge levels of debt but questionable management and higher interest rates thanks to the credit crunch took their toll and the firm went to the wall last week owing banks A$762 million (S$788 million).
Temasek will be one of the biggest casualties. It took a 12 per cent stake worth about A$400 million last year, buying in when the shares were at A$7.30 only to see the stock plummet to 54 Australian cents before they were suspended.
The firm had a market value of as much as A$3.8 billion last year.
The casualty list will also extend to the many working families who face the prospect of having nowhere to send their children next year.
The government has agreed to give ABC a limited lifeline of A$22 million to keep the facilities afloat until the end of the year. But with receivers claiming that 40 per cent of the centres are unprofitable, many are unlikely to find a buyer and will almost certainly be forced to close.
ABC Learning was one of the largest childcare centres in the world but its rapid growth and aggressive borrowing, coupled with a big-spending boss who enjoyed the fruits of his success, contributed to its downfall.
Founder Eddy Groves, a former milkman with a strong entrepreneurial flair, opened his first kindergarten in Brisbane in 1988.
By 2000 he had more than 40 centres around Australia and profits were so buoyant he decided to float the company on the Australian stock exchange.
The secret of his success was that 44 per cent of the company's revenue came from government childcare allowances, money that by-passed parents and was paid directly into ABC coffers.
With such a guaranteed source of income, for a time Mr Groves could do no wrong.
Investors such as Australia's Commonwealth Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Equity and Temasek were impressed by the company's gilt-edged potential and bought up heavily.
The first hint of trouble came in February when ABC declared a trading halt after a massive slump in its share price.
With its extensive interests in the United States and the prospect of a downturn in the US economy, there were fears that the company might struggle to repay its debt.
As the once high-flying shares tumbled some ABC board members and Mr Groves were understood to have received calls on margin loans.
Suddenly the founder and chief executive's multi-million-dollar fortune was no more and he left the company several weeks ago, leaving behind a corporate empire in ruins.
Soon colourful tales of his high-spending lifestyle began to emerge in the Australian media.
There were reports of his extended stays in five-star resorts with his mistress Viryan Collins-Rubie, dinners at the best restaurants and his and her taste in expensive imported cars.
There were lavish presents of jewellery for a favoured few, shopping trips to some of the most exclusive boutiques and stays at Las Vegas casinos.
But life was catching up with Mr Groves.
Apart from his business problems, his wife Le Neve was none too happy with his romantic attachments.
Last week it emerged that she had ordered her lawyers to claim A$44 million as part of a divorce settlement.
Mr Groves once said that working 19 hours a day delivering milk had given him incredible discipline.
'You don't have the time to be silly and spend the money doing ridiculous things,' he said.
Sadly he did not heed his own advice in later life.
Even one of the country's savviest investor, Temasek no less, can get it wrong.
There's a separate lesson to be learnt here too (see last sentence in article)..
Hit by childcare chain's fall
Temasek suffers heavy loss; too-rapid growth and boss' spending cited in collapse of firm
By Roger Maynard, Australia Correspondent
An ABC Learning childcare centre in Sydney, one of 1,075 in Australia that looked after 120,000 children. Their families must now make new arrangements for childcare.
THE crash of an Australian childcare chain run by a high-spending former milkman has thrown thousands of families into turmoil and left investors like Temasek Holdings in a black hole.
ABC Learning controlled 20 per cent of the country's childcare industry with 1,075 centres employing 16,000 staff who looked after 120,000 children. It also owns centres in New Zealand.
The firm's rapid expansion was underpinned by huge levels of debt but questionable management and higher interest rates thanks to the credit crunch took their toll and the firm went to the wall last week owing banks A$762 million (S$788 million).
Temasek will be one of the biggest casualties. It took a 12 per cent stake worth about A$400 million last year, buying in when the shares were at A$7.30 only to see the stock plummet to 54 Australian cents before they were suspended.
The firm had a market value of as much as A$3.8 billion last year.
The casualty list will also extend to the many working families who face the prospect of having nowhere to send their children next year.
The government has agreed to give ABC a limited lifeline of A$22 million to keep the facilities afloat until the end of the year. But with receivers claiming that 40 per cent of the centres are unprofitable, many are unlikely to find a buyer and will almost certainly be forced to close.
ABC Learning was one of the largest childcare centres in the world but its rapid growth and aggressive borrowing, coupled with a big-spending boss who enjoyed the fruits of his success, contributed to its downfall.
Founder Eddy Groves, a former milkman with a strong entrepreneurial flair, opened his first kindergarten in Brisbane in 1988.
By 2000 he had more than 40 centres around Australia and profits were so buoyant he decided to float the company on the Australian stock exchange.
The secret of his success was that 44 per cent of the company's revenue came from government childcare allowances, money that by-passed parents and was paid directly into ABC coffers.
With such a guaranteed source of income, for a time Mr Groves could do no wrong.
Investors such as Australia's Commonwealth Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Equity and Temasek were impressed by the company's gilt-edged potential and bought up heavily.
The first hint of trouble came in February when ABC declared a trading halt after a massive slump in its share price.
With its extensive interests in the United States and the prospect of a downturn in the US economy, there were fears that the company might struggle to repay its debt.
As the once high-flying shares tumbled some ABC board members and Mr Groves were understood to have received calls on margin loans.
Suddenly the founder and chief executive's multi-million-dollar fortune was no more and he left the company several weeks ago, leaving behind a corporate empire in ruins.
Soon colourful tales of his high-spending lifestyle began to emerge in the Australian media.
There were reports of his extended stays in five-star resorts with his mistress Viryan Collins-Rubie, dinners at the best restaurants and his and her taste in expensive imported cars.
There were lavish presents of jewellery for a favoured few, shopping trips to some of the most exclusive boutiques and stays at Las Vegas casinos.
But life was catching up with Mr Groves.
Apart from his business problems, his wife Le Neve was none too happy with his romantic attachments.
Last week it emerged that she had ordered her lawyers to claim A$44 million as part of a divorce settlement.
Mr Groves once said that working 19 hours a day delivering milk had given him incredible discipline.
'You don't have the time to be silly and spend the money doing ridiculous things,' he said.
Sadly he did not heed his own advice in later life.
My ECE Assignments : Involving Parents and Community Agencies (IPCA)
"My ECE Assignment" series is meant to demystify ECE and make it a more pleasurable endeavour for those of us who are willing to commit to it :
Module: “Involving Parents and Community Agencies (IPCA)”
Date: 08 August
Reflective Journal I
One of the things teachers have to recognize is that they likely have some images and feelings related to the nurturing role that could get in the way of full acceptance of parents. Consider how you feel about men as nurturers - are you as comfortable seeing fathers in the nurturing role as mothers? Consider how you feel about mothers who leave their small children in the care of others? Do you worry about their children’s attachment?
Fathers in the Nurturing Role
The traditional role of nurturing children at home has long been taken up by mothers, while the father assumed the role of provider for the family, be it for food, shelter or money. Today, the reversal of roles has become even more evident. This is precipitated by the trend of more and more women taking up employment, and with that, having correspondingly lesser time to look after their children at home. Seeing fathers taking the lead in nurturing children at home today is therefore not an unusual phenomenon. In Singapore, the trend towards fathers as the primary nurturers of their children is getting stronger as the working mothers increase their financial earning power at work. I expect this trend to continue.
However, the picture changes dramatically when one considers the number of male teachers in the early childhood education (ECE) sector. Female teachers in ECE sector dominates, in terms of their numbers in a typical childcare centre in Singapore, when compared to male teachers. The two childcare centres near where I live are cases in point.
Not a single male teacher is in sight in these two centres.
I therefore wonder why there is this huge chasm between the growing numbers of fathers taking a bigger role as nurturers in their homes, but yet, there are hardly any male teachers in the ECE sector. Is this a simple case of a biased mindset of parents, who prefer female teachers to look after their preschool children? Or is there more to it than meets the eye?
I feel that the reasons for the lack of male teachers in the ECE sector are many. The attractiveness of this profession to males is one major factor. As mentioned earlier, the traditional role of nurturing young children is very much the domain of women and mothers. It will take some time for men themselves to view the profession of teaching young preschool children as a noble and worthwhile occupation to pursue..
However, more and more men are getting into this ECE scene, as the writings of one male ECE educator in Singapore have revealed (LearningVision, 2008). Here, Mr. Patrick Lim not only survived as a male teacher in ECE, but he even thrives in it. His experience will no doubt be emulated by other men.
I fully expect that more men will take the role of a male teacher in ECE in the years to come. As an early childhood educator myself, I believe that children in a childcare setting should be exposed to both male and female teachers, so that their views of the roles on males are not biased, when they grow up as adults. Additionally, I am of the view that male teachers can be just as nurturing and effective as a teacher, if not more so, than a female teacher in any early childhood education environment.
Mothers Who Leave their Children in the Care of Others
As mentioned earlier, with more mothers working today, they need to find alternative care arrangements. With that, the issue of the attachment of their children to other caregivers instead of to their mothers should be addressed.
I feel it is necessary to strike a balance between the quality time a child spends with her mother and the need for the mother to be away when at work. If this is done, the child’s attachment to her mother, and therefore the positive values that this attachment brings to both the child and the mother, will not be compromised. Many mothers in Singapore are practicing this balancing act everyday.
Grandparents have become a ready source for providing alternative care. With most living under the same room as the mother of the child, grandparents can provide excellent nurturing for the child, without losing that sense of attachment between the child and the mother, given that they are mostly living together. My view of a live-in maid as a caregiver for a young child is however more guarded. My own personal experience shows that the inexperience of maids in understanding the need for a mother-child attachment and bonding can get in the way of a healthy mother-child relationship.
The third source for alternative care is the preschool network in Singapore. There are many quality childcare centres which augment very well, the dual objectives of mothers for providing both the care and teaching of a young child. The understanding of attachment theory by the preschool professionals will go a long way towards ensuring that the mother’s attachment to her child is not compromised.
These are my views of mothers who leave their children in the care of others and how that will impact their attachment with their children.
References
1. LearningVision Childcare Centre website (Online). Retrieved August 07, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.learningvision.com/Careers/life_patrick.aspx
Module: “Involving Parents and Community Agencies (IPCA)”
Date: 08 August
Reflective Journal I
One of the things teachers have to recognize is that they likely have some images and feelings related to the nurturing role that could get in the way of full acceptance of parents. Consider how you feel about men as nurturers - are you as comfortable seeing fathers in the nurturing role as mothers? Consider how you feel about mothers who leave their small children in the care of others? Do you worry about their children’s attachment?
Fathers in the Nurturing Role
The traditional role of nurturing children at home has long been taken up by mothers, while the father assumed the role of provider for the family, be it for food, shelter or money. Today, the reversal of roles has become even more evident. This is precipitated by the trend of more and more women taking up employment, and with that, having correspondingly lesser time to look after their children at home. Seeing fathers taking the lead in nurturing children at home today is therefore not an unusual phenomenon. In Singapore, the trend towards fathers as the primary nurturers of their children is getting stronger as the working mothers increase their financial earning power at work. I expect this trend to continue.
However, the picture changes dramatically when one considers the number of male teachers in the early childhood education (ECE) sector. Female teachers in ECE sector dominates, in terms of their numbers in a typical childcare centre in Singapore, when compared to male teachers. The two childcare centres near where I live are cases in point.
Not a single male teacher is in sight in these two centres.
I therefore wonder why there is this huge chasm between the growing numbers of fathers taking a bigger role as nurturers in their homes, but yet, there are hardly any male teachers in the ECE sector. Is this a simple case of a biased mindset of parents, who prefer female teachers to look after their preschool children? Or is there more to it than meets the eye?
I feel that the reasons for the lack of male teachers in the ECE sector are many. The attractiveness of this profession to males is one major factor. As mentioned earlier, the traditional role of nurturing young children is very much the domain of women and mothers. It will take some time for men themselves to view the profession of teaching young preschool children as a noble and worthwhile occupation to pursue..
However, more and more men are getting into this ECE scene, as the writings of one male ECE educator in Singapore have revealed (LearningVision, 2008). Here, Mr. Patrick Lim not only survived as a male teacher in ECE, but he even thrives in it. His experience will no doubt be emulated by other men.
I fully expect that more men will take the role of a male teacher in ECE in the years to come. As an early childhood educator myself, I believe that children in a childcare setting should be exposed to both male and female teachers, so that their views of the roles on males are not biased, when they grow up as adults. Additionally, I am of the view that male teachers can be just as nurturing and effective as a teacher, if not more so, than a female teacher in any early childhood education environment.
Mothers Who Leave their Children in the Care of Others
As mentioned earlier, with more mothers working today, they need to find alternative care arrangements. With that, the issue of the attachment of their children to other caregivers instead of to their mothers should be addressed.
I feel it is necessary to strike a balance between the quality time a child spends with her mother and the need for the mother to be away when at work. If this is done, the child’s attachment to her mother, and therefore the positive values that this attachment brings to both the child and the mother, will not be compromised. Many mothers in Singapore are practicing this balancing act everyday.
Grandparents have become a ready source for providing alternative care. With most living under the same room as the mother of the child, grandparents can provide excellent nurturing for the child, without losing that sense of attachment between the child and the mother, given that they are mostly living together. My view of a live-in maid as a caregiver for a young child is however more guarded. My own personal experience shows that the inexperience of maids in understanding the need for a mother-child attachment and bonding can get in the way of a healthy mother-child relationship.
The third source for alternative care is the preschool network in Singapore. There are many quality childcare centres which augment very well, the dual objectives of mothers for providing both the care and teaching of a young child. The understanding of attachment theory by the preschool professionals will go a long way towards ensuring that the mother’s attachment to her child is not compromised.
These are my views of mothers who leave their children in the care of others and how that will impact their attachment with their children.
References
1. LearningVision Childcare Centre website (Online). Retrieved August 07, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.learningvision.com/Careers/life_patrick.aspx
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My ECE Assignments : Human Growth and Development (HGD)
"My ECE Assignment" series is meant to demystify ECE and make it a more pleasurable endeavour for those of us who are willing to commit to it :
Individual Assignment : “Human Growth and Development”
Date: 22 July
Article #35:
Girls, Boys and Autism
Introduction
The world of autism can be a rather mysterious one. Not only is autism frequently misunderstood, it is also a development disorder that is impacting more and more children every day, as high as 1 in 150 children in the US (Autism Society of America
website, par.2). The fact that the cause of autism is still unknown puts additional urgency on the need for a better understanding of this disorder, and perhaps even a cure, in the years to come.
Date: 22 July
Article #35:
Girls, Boys and Autism
Introduction
The world of autism can be a rather mysterious one. Not only is autism frequently misunderstood, it is also a development disorder that is impacting more and more children every day, as high as 1 in 150 children in the US (Autism Society of America
website, par.2). The fact that the cause of autism is still unknown puts additional urgency on the need for a better understanding of this disorder, and perhaps even a cure, in the years to come.
One such research that had enhanced our understanding of autism and its impact on more boys than girls, was done by psychologist, Simon Baron-Cohen.
Body Content
Baron-Cohen defined autism as an imbalance between 2 kinds of intelligence – the intelligence used to understand people (empathizing) and that used to understand things (systemizing). This led him to develop a model which he called the “Type S” versus the “Type E” Model.
Body Content
Baron-Cohen defined autism as an imbalance between 2 kinds of intelligence – the intelligence used to understand people (empathizing) and that used to understand things (systemizing). This led him to develop a model which he called the “Type S” versus the “Type E” Model.
With this model, he reasoned that most autistic sufferers have a significantly higher level of “Type S” skills but low on “Type E” skills, which correlates well with those of boys, rather than girls.
He therefore surmised that there is a gender gap, that is, more boys are autistic than girls.
In the US, the ratio is 4.3: 1 of all autistic sufferers being boys or males, as compared to
girls or females (Wikipedia website, par.1). More importantly, Baron-Cohen suggested
that autism may not just be a disease in need of a cure, but it may also be a mental style
that people can learn to accommodate.
This led the article to cite 2 cases of autistic sufferers that have capitalized on their “Type
S” skills. One, a British man called Stephen Wiltshire, had such impressive artistic skills
that he now lives a successful adult life, by selling his artistic works to the public. Other
autistic sufferers may also be deployed into jobs that utilizes these “Type S” skills, like
the labeling of vast inventories in a factory.
Conclusion
The understanding of the gender gap in autistic sufferers has been further enhanced by
the research of psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. His Type S v Type E model gave
further evidence that more autistic sufferers should be given the opportunity to capitalize
on their Type S skills, and therefore, be given a better chance at a successful adult life.
His argument that perhaps autism should be viewed as a mental style that people can
learn to accommodate was refreshing, and potentially, far-reaching in its impact on how
autism is being viewed today and in the future.
References
1.Autism Society of America (Online database). Retrieved July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home
2.Wikipedia (Online database). Retreived July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
He therefore surmised that there is a gender gap, that is, more boys are autistic than girls.
In the US, the ratio is 4.3: 1 of all autistic sufferers being boys or males, as compared to
girls or females (Wikipedia website, par.1). More importantly, Baron-Cohen suggested
that autism may not just be a disease in need of a cure, but it may also be a mental style
that people can learn to accommodate.
This led the article to cite 2 cases of autistic sufferers that have capitalized on their “Type
S” skills. One, a British man called Stephen Wiltshire, had such impressive artistic skills
that he now lives a successful adult life, by selling his artistic works to the public. Other
autistic sufferers may also be deployed into jobs that utilizes these “Type S” skills, like
the labeling of vast inventories in a factory.
Conclusion
The understanding of the gender gap in autistic sufferers has been further enhanced by
the research of psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. His Type S v Type E model gave
further evidence that more autistic sufferers should be given the opportunity to capitalize
on their Type S skills, and therefore, be given a better chance at a successful adult life.
His argument that perhaps autism should be viewed as a mental style that people can
learn to accommodate was refreshing, and potentially, far-reaching in its impact on how
autism is being viewed today and in the future.
References
1.Autism Society of America (Online database). Retrieved July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home
2.Wikipedia (Online database). Retreived July 22, 2008 from the World Wide Web:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My ECE Assignments : Philosophy Module
"My ECE Assignment" series is meant to demystify ECE and make it a more pleasurable endeavour for those of us who are willing to commit to it :
My Personal Philosophy of Teaching
I believe that early childhood education (ECE) is one of the most important building blocks, if not the most important, for a child to develop a successful foundation for his future adult life. Research has shown that these critical years of 0-6 years of age must be maximized for every child, and I wholeheartedly subscribe to this statement.
As a teacher, I therefore have every opportunity to provide positive experiences for the children in the classroom, in their field trips and in all their day-to-day interactions, including the community and their parents. For example, a 3 year old child in Nursery who has an inclination for biting another child is an opportunity for me to teach her empathy, by showing her that biting causes pain and distress to others, and thus just as it should not be done to her, it should not be done to others. Likewise, a K2 child will better understand his environment and the reasons for recycling if shown the negative effects of wasting water at home or in school, allowing him thereafter to change his behaviour for the better.
To me, a teacher is therefore a mind-expander for the child. As a teacher, I can show the child how the world works every single day and the wonder that comes with it. The minds of the children are as mouldable as clay, and yet, as absorbent as a sponge in a tub.
The teacher thus carries both the privilege and the heavy responsibility of shaping the child’s mind in these critical early years by sowing the seeds for a wonderful journey of continuous learning that will lead to a successful adult life for the child. The early childhood educator therefore is a noble profession indeed.
This is my philosophy of teaching.
George Lee
NIM
My Personal Philosophy of Teaching
I believe that early childhood education (ECE) is one of the most important building blocks, if not the most important, for a child to develop a successful foundation for his future adult life. Research has shown that these critical years of 0-6 years of age must be maximized for every child, and I wholeheartedly subscribe to this statement.
As a teacher, I therefore have every opportunity to provide positive experiences for the children in the classroom, in their field trips and in all their day-to-day interactions, including the community and their parents. For example, a 3 year old child in Nursery who has an inclination for biting another child is an opportunity for me to teach her empathy, by showing her that biting causes pain and distress to others, and thus just as it should not be done to her, it should not be done to others. Likewise, a K2 child will better understand his environment and the reasons for recycling if shown the negative effects of wasting water at home or in school, allowing him thereafter to change his behaviour for the better.
To me, a teacher is therefore a mind-expander for the child. As a teacher, I can show the child how the world works every single day and the wonder that comes with it. The minds of the children are as mouldable as clay, and yet, as absorbent as a sponge in a tub.
The teacher thus carries both the privilege and the heavy responsibility of shaping the child’s mind in these critical early years by sowing the seeds for a wonderful journey of continuous learning that will lead to a successful adult life for the child. The early childhood educator therefore is a noble profession indeed.
This is my philosophy of teaching.
George Lee
NIM
ST Forum : "How Should Teachers Today Behave on Their Own Time?"
How Should Teachers Today Behave on their Own Time?
08Nov08
ILLUSTRATION: ADAM LEE
IT IS not surprising that teachers get adverse publicity if they behave in a manner that is improper, immoral or downright criminal.
The recent news of a teacher blogger who went public with photographs of herself in revealing swimwear, a female teacher who had a sexual relationship with a minor, a childcare teacher who smeared chilli padi over the mouth of a four-year old boy: These educators have delivered a solar plexus blow to the entire teaching fraternity.
News of aberrant teacher behaviour elicits anger, shock and disgust, particularly among parents.
I suggest the surge in liberalism and laxity in parenting may be contributory causes. Far from being hemmed in by social rules which stifled their predecessors' public and private conduct, young adults today are hardly strait-jacketed by what they deem conservative, old-fashioned and unacceptable norms of social behaviour.
School discipline has degenerated.
It is common to read press reports of school bullies, students who disregard school rules with impunity, those who disrupt lessons, others who defy teachers, steal, cheat or lie.
Teachers are circumscribed by an 'only we can discipline our child' credo among many parents, and are impotent to deal with errant students.
A generation of job seekers is ill prepared for the rigours of a competitive, restrictive and dampening work environment. The modus operandi of the workplace finds no resonance with the 'I do what I like' culture they are accustomed to.
There are now 27,000 teachers in Singapore. Most are diligent, responsible and conduct themselves well at work and in private.
Nowadays, entrants to the teaching profession belong to a generation steeped in a carefree and less inhibited journey from childhood to adulthood.
Teacher recruiters may wish to consider long and hard what produced these aberrant teachers, and revamp their recruitment strategy to weed out potentially wayward candidates.
Ho Kong Loon
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
ST Forum : "Preschool Teaching is about standards"
A timely reminder for us..
Pre-school teaching is about standards
ST Forum : 05Nov08
THIS is in response to Mrs K.H. Veena's letter 'Pay more to qualified preschool teachers' (Oct 27), in which she implores the Government to look into the salary of preschool teachers.
I would like to appeal to all preschool teachers to work together to get the Government's attention and recognition for the professional and high standard of practice that we provide.
Some of us are in this profession because we love children, while others are in it because they believe that they provide the foundation for lifelong learning.
Just like the foundations of buildings, the work that we do is often not visible.
As such, we need to work doubly hard to gain societal recognition. I know that many of us are passionate about our work, but passion is not enough. We must be able to put that passion into action.
Are we acting in a professional manner? We may have obtained certificates, diplomas and degrees, but are we able to translate them into our professional practice?
Do we relate to children, parents, our colleagues and the community at large with the respect that demands reciprocal respect?
Do we dress appropriately to project a professional image?
Are we always on time and do we ensure that all our responsibilities are met in a timely manner and beyond expectations?
Do we abide by our professional code of ethics?
Do we belong to a professional association?
Are we able to make professional judgments in our daily practice?
Are we reflective practitioners?
It is through reflective practice that we improve to the highest standard possible. Unless we rally together and demonstrate high standards in our practice, we will not gain societal recognition.
To all preschool teachers, do not be disheartened, let us not work alone, but build a professional community that we can all be proud of so that others can be proud of the work that we do in building foundations for lifelong learning.
Dr Christine Chen
President Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) - AECES
Pre-school teaching is about standards
ST Forum : 05Nov08
THIS is in response to Mrs K.H. Veena's letter 'Pay more to qualified preschool teachers' (Oct 27), in which she implores the Government to look into the salary of preschool teachers.
I would like to appeal to all preschool teachers to work together to get the Government's attention and recognition for the professional and high standard of practice that we provide.
Some of us are in this profession because we love children, while others are in it because they believe that they provide the foundation for lifelong learning.
Just like the foundations of buildings, the work that we do is often not visible.
As such, we need to work doubly hard to gain societal recognition. I know that many of us are passionate about our work, but passion is not enough. We must be able to put that passion into action.
Are we acting in a professional manner? We may have obtained certificates, diplomas and degrees, but are we able to translate them into our professional practice?
Do we relate to children, parents, our colleagues and the community at large with the respect that demands reciprocal respect?
Do we dress appropriately to project a professional image?
Are we always on time and do we ensure that all our responsibilities are met in a timely manner and beyond expectations?
Do we abide by our professional code of ethics?
Do we belong to a professional association?
Are we able to make professional judgments in our daily practice?
Are we reflective practitioners?
It is through reflective practice that we improve to the highest standard possible. Unless we rally together and demonstrate high standards in our practice, we will not gain societal recognition.
To all preschool teachers, do not be disheartened, let us not work alone, but build a professional community that we can all be proud of so that others can be proud of the work that we do in building foundations for lifelong learning.
Dr Christine Chen
President Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) - AECES
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