071008

Hopes gone, Dreams shattered!

Today, I really really really want to give a good report of today's interview but sigh! Now, I just want to vent out all my frustrations by writing down bah...

In the morning about 6 am, I woke up excited... Today is the day that my destiny could be changed. My dreams of 12 years could be fulfilled which is being a teacher. And which school is that? NUS High School. Wow... Haha... Super super excited.. Before I went off to the interview, I even had a slight stomachache because I was too super nervous le... But it is ok... I took cab down, praying and hoping that the traffic is smooth. Thank God that it is smooth.

So in the end, I reached around 9.50 am for the 10 am interview. I passed my identity card to the female security officer. Then I exchanged for the visitor pass and went in. Woah...

At the reception counter, I told a person that I am here for the interview. The person told me that she is a visitor. Oops... After that, I realised that she is a parent. So I told the receptionist that I am here for the interview. She was puzzled. I told her that I am looking for Mr Tan. She was puzzled again. I was like: "Huh? You don't even know that there is an interview for Mr Tan." Later she turned around and asked her colleagues. She then asked me whether I am Mr Alex. "Yup, I am" ( The Naruto grin and smile ). Another colleague came and asked for my certificates. I passed all of them to her and she asked me to wait for Mr Tan to come.

Mr Tan came. He is the assistant head of the Mathematics Department. He told me that there would be two interviews. If I have passed through his first interview, I have to pass through another round of interview with the senior management. I was like "wow..." I went into the meeting room 2.

I took a seat. He said that today, I will be knowing about the school and he knowing about me. So I am prepared for the interview le as I have read much of the website. He flipped through my resume, qualifications.

"Why did you apply for NUS High?"

"I wanted to teach. Teaching has been my passion since I am 15. In my JC, I studied Maths. In Uni, I studied Maths. All for the aim of being a teacher one day."

"Why did you not apply for mainstream teaching? Hmm... Like NIE?"

"I did apply. I went to contract teaching. The teacher who assessed me, felt that I have a good student rapport, quite ok teaching style but I lack classroom management experience. But since then, I went to full time tutoring. Taught many students. Even went to Colombia Business School to teach mathematics. So ya..."

"Then did you apply again?"

"Yes, I did. But I have never passed through the interviews."

"Why is that so?"

"Hmm... The same reason as in there are a lot of applicants."

"Have you considered to do Masters?"

"Yup. I applied for Masters in NUS. But I lacked two years of relevant experience. So the application was not successful. But I am also planning to do PHD if it is possible."

"What kind of PHD?"

"Research."

"Oh, why not coursework?"

"I thought that research is more interesting."

"From your transcript, you studied applied mathematics. Which level do you think you can teach?"

"Level 1 to 2 perhaps."

"Can you teach A level maths?"

"I believe with one to two days of revision, I should be able to."

"This school specialises in teaching mathematics and science. The students are a gifted lot. By year 6, they might graduate with a masters. Can you handle that? As in, expand their potential."

"I am sure I can."

"The teachers here mentor students in research. What kind of research will u be leading them?"

"Research? Hmm... ( Shucks, I never prepare this kind of question. God, help me now...) Maybe, I can lead them to research in network optimisation?"

"More specific?"

"Non-linear programming. As in the number of ways from one place to the another place on a non-euclidean geometry plane. ( Shucks, what am I talking? Bullshitting la... )

"Hmm... ok. ( puzzled look ). "Which level do you want to lead your students about the research?"

"Hmm.. Year 3?"

"Ok, the syllabus here are quite modular based. What kind of teaching will u teach?"

"Trigonometry?"

"You like trigonometry?"

"Yup, in fact I like the proving of identities. My university professor taught us about a proof which is why 1 + 1 = 2"

"Do you have any questions that you want to know about the school?"

"Hmm.. How are the programmes like?"

"NUS High School is a school which specialises in mathematics and science. It is quite a demanding school. In fact, we have students in year 3 who are taking university year 3 modules."

"Oh, (soft wow...)"

"Hmm... from your resumes, you don't have much credentials. And you don't have a teaching qualifcation. This school, you plan your own scheme of work, unlike mainstream schools."

"The advertisement says that I can still apply without a teaching qualification. And I have taught in Saint Gabriel before."

"Yup, it does say that you can apply. But comparing with the other candidates, hmm... What have you learnt from Saint Gabriel?"

"I have learnt to design my lessons based on the scheme of work. I have assisted in CCA such as floorball."

"What kind of CCA are you interested in?"

"NPCC?"

"Oh, uniformed group?"

"Yes, in fact, even interact club or rotaract club also ok. Charity based organisation."

"Ok. Do you have any other questions regarding the school?"

"Not actually."

"Ok, thank you Alex. (Standing up.)

"Last question. Have you applied for other schools other than this school?"

"Yes, I did. SOTA."

"School of arts, teaching maths?"

"Yup."

"How about the schools which bypassed the A levels?"

"I have applied for ACS."

"Independent?"

"Yup."

"But I will be most interested in teaching here since I am majoring in mathematics and this is a good school to teach."

"Yup, if you have been successful, you will be notified. Bye."

"Bye."

(Turning to the security guard)

"How is the interview?"

"Sigh! Don't think it is successful."

"Pray hard."

"Thank you."

And so I left with a heavy heart....