Computer science teacher: Goodwill Khoa
Goodwill Khoa is a qualified English and mathematics teacher. He taught mathematics from grade eight to Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level as well as computer science for those grades. Currently, however, he is only teaching computer science from grade eight to 11.
The 35-year-old recalled how he was convinced in his last year of school to become a teacher by his English teacher. “She asked ‘what will happen to education if all the smart people only go into making money for themselves? What will happen to our future generations?’” This question made him realise the importance of teachers and he decided to go into teaching, he narrated.
There is more than one road to becoming a teacher. The most direct path is to study for four years for a bachelor’s degree in education. During the final year, the degree allows the student specialise in particular subjects. This four-year degree is the most common requirement when applying for a job as a teacher, Khoa said.
There is, however, a second path. This path involves studying in another field. For example, studying English literature and then doing one more year for a postgraduate qualification to allow you to teach as well.
Khoa refers to teaching as a 'calling'. “You need to want to become a teacher,” he said. It is not an easy job - especially with late night exam marking, a low salary and being viewed as 'less' by quite a few people in the community, according to him.
That teaching is a half-day job is a complete myth, he stressed. There is grading work, extra classes, planning, researching to stay up to date, and sport activities after school.
What makes everything worth it, according to him, is the learners. “The 'light bulb' moments are something that always bring joy to my heart. This is what I love the most, he said.
"Teaching is an incredibly rewarding job, if it is what you truly want to do."
The 35-year-old recalled how he was convinced in his last year of school to become a teacher by his English teacher. “She asked ‘what will happen to education if all the smart people only go into making money for themselves? What will happen to our future generations?’” This question made him realise the importance of teachers and he decided to go into teaching, he narrated.
There is more than one road to becoming a teacher. The most direct path is to study for four years for a bachelor’s degree in education. During the final year, the degree allows the student specialise in particular subjects. This four-year degree is the most common requirement when applying for a job as a teacher, Khoa said.
There is, however, a second path. This path involves studying in another field. For example, studying English literature and then doing one more year for a postgraduate qualification to allow you to teach as well.
Khoa refers to teaching as a 'calling'. “You need to want to become a teacher,” he said. It is not an easy job - especially with late night exam marking, a low salary and being viewed as 'less' by quite a few people in the community, according to him.
That teaching is a half-day job is a complete myth, he stressed. There is grading work, extra classes, planning, researching to stay up to date, and sport activities after school.
What makes everything worth it, according to him, is the learners. “The 'light bulb' moments are something that always bring joy to my heart. This is what I love the most, he said.
"Teaching is an incredibly rewarding job, if it is what you truly want to do."
