In this series of chats with our staff, we get up close and personal. They share about things like their favourite drinks, to their experiences and motivations at work.
Hello! Could you introduce yourself?
Hi, I am Michele, Principal of LOT Hougang.
What does a typical day at work look like?
I will come in very early in the morning as I like to quieten my heart and prepare myself before the start of the day. I usually arrive at 6.30am in the morning, I would sing some songs by myself and then and look through my emails. I would then greet my teachers when they arrive, and lead the morning assembly. I am always down to support my teachers when they need help, and sometimes you would see me mingling with the children, sitting down and chatting with them.
What is a pick me up that you need to keep you going for the week?
I like having cold chilled beer with Korean fried chicken, or red/white wine to boost myself to keep me going after work, or on the weekends!
What are some hobbies or interests you have outside of work? I want to have work life balance, so at home I want to be chill and watch my Korean dramas. I also love eating icecream, chocolate cake and and fruit tarts especially from Fruit Paradise! What are some fun things you do with your staff? Steamboat during CNY, our team loves to feast and fellowship. We had one table for each group with different dietary requirements, so that everyone could be included and respected. Utensils were also brought from home!
Can you recall some encouraging moments amongst the teachers?
A while back, many of my staff were on MC due to Covid-19, and they fell sick one after another.
I could really see the extra effort put in – they went the extra mile to support each other in class. They also cared a lot for each other, checking in on each other to asking how they were feeling during recovery.
Why is it important to be motivated as a teacher?
It is important because we are handling preschoolers. Teachers set the atmosphere, and they are the pillars that support the entire school. They can function without me as a principal, but I can’t run the school without them.
It is important to be motivated - they must know their calling and purpose here, that it is not merely a job. It is more than that, as they make an impact in the lives of the little ones. It will go a long way for the younger ones. It can either be a negative or positive impact, so I always tell them to inject positivity into the children. That makes a difference.
What is one quality that a teacher must not have?
Complacency. Teachers cannot be too laid-back and do the minimal that is expected, as it would deter their growth.