Conducive work environment and a tight team of caring colleagues
Pros
As an educator who has dabbled in MOE contract teaching, one-to-one home tuition and teaching in tuition centres, I would strongly recommend EduEdge for those who prioritise long-term personal growth, flexibility and a sense of security over short-term hustle. 1. I joined EduEdge in the exploratory stages of my career, seeking opportunities for self-improvement in contrast to the red tape and cog-in-a-machine roles that had left me feeling slightly stifled in previous jobs. The company has more than delivered in this aspect. Prospective applicants with less teaching experience need not worry about being thrown into the deep end and having to lead a full class before they are ready; I found EduEdge’s system of class observation and mentorship very effective at easing me into my new responsibilities. EduEdge invests substantially into in-house professional development which comprehensively covers the many different aspects of teaching, including resource design, lesson delivery, classroom management and marking. The length and rigor of the initial training course (along with the fact that passing it is necessary for promotion) can indeed be daunting, but those who find comfort in structure will be reassured by the unambiguous and measurable nature of such checkpoints in career progression – to say nothing of the huge confidence boost in the classroom. 2. Additionally, EduEdge is fairly flexible with regard to each employee’s deployment and duties. Beyond allocated classes, which are set in stone at the start of the academic year, a choice between fixed office hours and a more self-directed scheme is offered. This can then be further negotiated, within reason of course. Of special note is Upper Management’s accommodating approach when it comes to employees who wish to attain external qualifications beyond their abovementioned in-house training. As a case in point, I remain touched by and grateful for their support during my pursuit of a Master in Education from NIE followed by a WSQ ACLP. They truly went the extra mile in terms of customised scheduling and special arrangements. From my experience, the same level of consideration and flexibility is extended when preparing employees for specialised career paths within the company, and extended again to all with special needs or circumstances. 3. On a similar note, the inclusive and supportive culture at EduEdge is perhaps its strongest point. I have never once felt unsafe here thanks to the company’s zero-tolerance stance against office politics. There is no inter-departmental jockeying whatsoever; the value of collaboration rather than competition is strongly emphasised. Moreover, the strict standards of training and professional conduct ensure that, whenever I am at work, I can rest assured that I have the backup of skilled and trustworthy colleagues. My fellow teachers are professional yet warm individuals I am proud to consider friends.
Cons
1. The initial period of training and career progression is slow and stressful as time is needed to build the foundational skill sets required for teaching – it does take some patience, drive and faith to stick with it long enough to see the empowering results (along with the gratifying pay raises). 2. As in any other English teaching job, the workload periodically shoots up when essays are marked. Upper Management is well aware of this issue and is in the midst of devising solutions, but this is still a work in progress as of the date of this posting.
