My seven months of voluntary unemployment for 'worldwide research time' will soon roll to an end. Yesterday morning after several days of deliberation, I accepted a 'more lucrative reading tutoring' option over the 'more naturally inspiring Montessori training and teaching' possible option! I've had four interviews since landing in Singapore and this Montessori man was the first who I could see is passionate about what he does. So much so that our interview went for over 2 hrs! The main topics of our discussion were the Montessori technique and the current state of the Singapore education system, which he said is well regarded academically in other parts of the world. This man had his doubts about the holistic nature of this success and I was very eager to listen him out - he's done his time and appeared to know what he was talking about.
I've always wanted to find out more about Montessori but never did, until I was looking for educational inspiration in a bookshop in London and found this (see pic). I mean check out the cover! It's 'ye olde' man. Maria Montessori was Italian, so the writing is old style Italian, translated to English. I find it hard to follow the complex language and long sentences, yet I'm finding it educational and satisfying to read a different style of prose. The ideas in it align perfectly with my view of the world. They strengthen my own values and as I read I find myself agreeing emphatically! What a wonderful woman, to have the presence of mind to stop and observe children and their needs, while everyone else was (and still are) busy trying to fill their heads!
Even so, I've decided to spend my time in Singapore tutoring reading. I'd already decided whilst travelling that I wanted some experience out of the classroom to learn about children and learning without the barrage (and excitement/distraction) of other tasks required by a teacher. I love all those options that we provide for children in primary schools, which is why I mostly say 'yes', but right now I want some time to develop and strengthen my own skills and philosophies on the specific teaching side of things.
In addition to this:
• I have a mortgage that I want to pay off, and I've not worked for seven months (except in Costa Rica but $28NZ/day doesn't really count)
• I don't want to be paid below my experience and qualifications.
• We have a dream to have some land, a garden, and some chickens in NZ, so money in the bank will be useful for that!
• l may end up with Montessori so I want to pursue another technique during this time in Singapore.
• I want to do my own research with Montessori direct from the founding sources (un-hindered by other viewpoints).
• A qualification from a Singaporean Montessori school probably won't be recognized in NZ, so I'll wait.
• This job I've chosen with 'I can read' seems to be a good reading programme that I'm interested in learning, and I can't see any drawbacks in developing myself in teaching reading - the staple of all learning.
• It seems I'll be given 'space' quickly and left to 'be in action'.
• It's a brand new centre (something new to carve out).
• It's close to home.
• The office space has lots of windows (I did a secret reccie to check it out and right now it's just a big space with a concrete floor - but apparently building/renovations happen very quickly in Singapore).
• Although the Montessori training option is compelling, it's Montessori in a mall (the tutoring centers and early child education centers are often in malls here as there are so many malls here and they're very accessible), which could be a great alternative to mainstream preschool education, but it's still a mall (which is very far removed from nature, a base value of Montessori, as far as I can see in my brief Montessori learning stint).
To be honest I'm quite excited about my new job. I must be, I'm willing to sign a contract for 2 years, and I've never done that before! Another reason to stay for 2 years is that I'm finding Singapore very very different and thus interesting and I want to spend some time here to widen my understanding of people and cultures and why they act the way they do!!
Doubts still lingering, and musings on them:
• The assertion by some that this reading tutoring organization is doing well (and hence I'll be paid better than with others) due to branding and the use 'Mother-tongue English-speaking caucasian teachers, who are seen as better role-models of the English Language, to attract 'clients', not necessarily because the reading programme is good. I guess I'll have to find that one out for myself! Although the term 'Singlish' is discussed and used affectionately, there is a widespread problem with it here. Many local children do not learn to speak 'English', but instead learn 'Singlish', due to a lack of parents and teachers speaking 'English', and an abundance of those using 'Singlish'. A local lady who I met downstairs (whilst I was freeing a house lizard - strange caucasian behaviour) said that I am the only caucasian she has seen in this block of apartments, and asked about the possibility of me tutoring her, as she was worried that she will pass her Singlish down to her future children. This is a valid point, it's exactly what happens. Many people I've spoken with here I find very hard to understand because of all the added 'Singlish terms'. Thus caucasian tutors are very popular (and I guess presumed to be mother-tongue English speakers).
• The fact that I'm probably putting myself in a position where 'results and results fast' seems to be the main focus (and something I don't agree works for the child), whether or not the child is ready for the particular learning. My thinking on this is maybe I can learn how to alleviate this pressure, by creating a listening and accepting learning environment for these children who are driven by their society to learn NOW.
I plan to fill the new center with plants, just like Dad does at home, and just like Harold has here - I'm very glad I've had that 'green education', so I plan for all the children that pass through those doors to know that plants are their source of oxygen, and to breathe deep whilst in the centre, enjoy this (and hopefully create some environmental awareness).
I also plan to develop my skills with observing these children to see what they need, as opposed to getting wound up in just imparting knowledge. I think my morning and evening Vipassana Meditation practise will assist me greatly with this :)
Well this is a great book by a 'crazy hippy' (fondly said) called Robert. He shares his life and how he ended up living (eventually with a family) in such a wild and remote spot on the west coast of South Island, NZ. He mostly just followed his intuition, and has ended up living a life which he loves and is very fulfilled in. Which I find very inspiring!
Well what a funny pair of books to have completed in February (and both written by 'Robert' I note. This one was also wonderful, yet in a completely different way! It was easy to read, made sense and is my starting point of becoming more financially literate. Simple yet effective ideas that challenged my default settings of how to get along 'financially' in life.
