Managing a new Job Role Transition
Transiting into a new Career Role
written by Nur Natasha , Youth Tech Trainee
Sabrina has been a teacher for 12 years. Her experience ranges from starting as a private tuition teacher as a side job, to teaching in a primary school and currently, teaching in a special needs school. Through the years, Sabrina has seen her role evolve along with societal and environmental changes. When she first started 12 years ago, the industry focus was very much geared towards academics. However, in today’s times, she finds that beyond grades, teachers are expected to focus a lot more on interaction and engagement in their classes.
When Sabrina first started out as a teacher, it was the regular structured routine of setting up the curriculum, teaching, marking and meeting parents. Now, as a team leader, the increase in workload was expected but was a struggle to manage during the transition. However, she gains satisfaction in working with her team, to support them to meet the changing demands of the industry.
“I think the education industry has changed. It’s not perfect but there is a sense of flexibility, where teachers can be in charge of their work without being micromanaged.”
Teachers used to be more focused on academic grades. Now, teachers are more aware of student’s interests, passions, hobbies outside of just academics. Classrooms are more interactive and flexible, hence allowing teachers the freedom of how they create their classroom as compared to just following the delivery of the standard syllabus.
Sabrina leads her team in ideating new ways of engaging in the classroom. Together, they exchange ideas so they can learn from each other, and collectively create a better curriculum for their classes.
As a team lead, Sabrina is sensitive to the needs of her colleagues. She firmly believes that a team is not defined merely by the quality and quantity of the work it produces. Rather, she wants it to be a place where everyone feels comfortable and safe, their opinions are heard, they receive help when needed and feel a sense of bond with each other.
Communication is the key string that holds the team together. Other than the formal work meetings, the team has stand-up meetings where they check in on one another, how they are balancing their work and other priorities like their health, and also to raise requests for any help or support that they might need. In addition, these meetings are also a place for them to share their skills or knowledge with the team, such that everyone can learn and progress together.
Teachers thrive not just when they competently deliver their work but when they are happy in the environment they are physically, emotionally and mentally. It is difficult for them to achieve an excellent work result just by their skills and knowledge alone without the proper resources, training and help that the company can provide. There is a saying, “ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you go together.” Being a teacher, one might think it’s an individual focus career, however when a group of teachers work together, learning from each other and build upon the trust between teammates and their supervisor; then they are able to thrive both individually and as a whole.
Nowadays, teachers are setting goals to improve, gaining mastery and pushing their boundaries in making sure not only do they improve their skills set but the quality of work they produce each time. Being a team leader, one of the aspects that is important in the team is trust. Putting trust in your staff to do their work and deliver what was asked is a common factor in any company. However, the relationship and trust of a supervisor and the team is the one that makes or breaks the quality of the work.
“How I trust my team to deliver their work is delegating work and allowing employees to do it at their comfort as long as work is done within the deadline and not affecting the company.” Sabrina’s team has a good workflow trust because of the communication factor that sets the foundation. Work is always delivered, critical feedback is taken and listening to everyone’s voices string everything together.
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