So I have been working at my new school - an elementary school - for about four months. This job has got to be memorable in the sense that I got a written warning email just 1 month into the job because I was deemed to be too harsh when it came to disciplining my students.

Understandably, I was quite anxious before my performance review. I don’t really aspire to climb the corporate ladder, but being found redundant at the end of my contract would really crush me. I have two young mouths to feed haha.

Thankfully, my misadventure seemed to be a thing of the past. My Reporting Officer was quick to reassure me that the school leaders had walked past my classroom and found my new style in engaging the students to be acceptable. Actually I have no idea what she is talking about, because I still do raise my voice at these rascals from time to time. I guess it’s not necessarily their fault. I have really internalised that children live in the moment and cannot really sit still nowadays as a result of how hyper stimulated they are through screen time and social media. But if the perception is that I have reformed, then I sure as hell won’t grumble!

My Reporting Officer told me that as a member of the Science Department, I would be entrusted with the Applied Learning Programme (Sustainability) next year. In specific terms, I would oversee the school’s food waste programme and aquaponics and hydroponics initiatives, among other things. I would have to liaise with my colleagues from other departments to bring about a synergy in the way students acquire eco-friendly principles and a sharpening of pertinent skills. Especially sharpening. She mentioned this word umpteen times.

She proceeded to ask me how I felt about it. I told her honestly that since this whole thingy is an unknown fog for me, I couldn’t anticipate the challenges I would have to grapple with. After all, four months isn’t exactly a long time for me to be assimilated into my new working culture.

I guess I’m flattered that I am handpicked to direct this, but I am also keenly aware that the school probably doesn’t have anyone else in mind. The lack of manpower in teaching is real. What’s more, some of my colleagues will move on to other schools next year. Guess I was in the right place at the right time — if I am hankering about career progression. But I don’t know if I wanna take on additional responsibilities at this season of my life.

Anyway, I can’t jolly well say nope to my Reporting Officer even if I’m not particularly hungry to prove my worth. Being a father changes things haha. I told her that I would take things one step at a time and come to her for advice should I encounter any problems.

Thus ended my first work review with this school.