The One about teachers blogging

It is always puzzling that teachers by nature of their profession are always under constant scrutiny. The latest in this whole non-ending issue is about teachers who blog. Being a passionate blogger who happens to be a teacher, I should proffer my 2 cents worth.

Unlike many professions, teachers are not expected to have dual personality. (Not to be mistaken with the psychiatric phenomenon known as schizophrenia.) As teachers, and imparters of values and beliefs, we are supposed to be the one who stand in front of the classroom 24/7. Unlike other professions like an engineer, accountant or even an actor, we are supposed to be smart in decorum, proper in manners and of course lead by example. Let me now spell out the 10 commandments of Teachers.

We are expected NOT to:

1) mouth vulgarities, four-letter words for fear that students will pick up the bad habits from us.

2) skive as students are learning the importance of hard work and striving for excellence from our every day actions.

3) have undesirable hobbies, like playing mahjong, excessive playing of computer games, excess surfing of the internet and buying 4D as students may learn the wrong things for leisure.

4) show any para-political view, or deviant political views, for it may create wrong impressions to students

5) be too apolitical as we want the students to know the good work of our government and how Singapore had developed over the years.

6) buy pirated stuff, ie VCDs, music CDs, DVDs or even do illegal download as we should teach students the right values of being HIP, being Original and saying no to piracy.

7) be under-dressed even when out on the street or even to buy a packet of mee pok from the nearby coffeeshop. Showing anything above the calves are a definite NO. It would be good if your appearance could be distinctively that of a teacher ( for male, long/short sleeve shirt, long pants, leather shoes ( track shoes optional)). This will tell students the importance of attire and respect. Anything remotely look like something that should be worn inside should be *ahem worn inside, away from sight.

8) Hate/dislike the students who constantly give you problems in class. Or for that matter the parents of the students who constantly gave you problems. Students will learn from the teachers the importance of good service and the importance of care and concern. Even though the teacher is literally pulling his/her hair off trying to get this student to hand in work or even to the matter paying attention in class.

9) Speak in Singlish. We are expected to speak ploperly (sic) as students learn undesirable accents or even incorrect pronunciation from teachers which may affect their development in their future endeavours.

10) Say anything bad about your own profession. (opps!) Then we will be able to get more and more aspiring people to join the profession, and suck away their enthusiasm in life and *gasp inject them with cynicism. Then the 10 commandments will apply again. The vicious cycle continues :P


Of course all this are said tongue in cheek. It is however a reality check that sometimes people including ourselves, teachers forgot that we are merely human beings who is just entrusted in a sacred role as perceived by others. In this present society, everybody, with educational qualification has their take on the role of education and the way educator should do. AS such, the expectations on teachers become so immense.

But then again what do I know, sometimes I am constantly reminded that I am providing a service to others. Maybe someone do have to give us a GEMS sometime, for we don’t just go the extra mile, we sometimes go the whole way, back and fro.

And that's my 2 cents worth