Educators Share Support and Advice for Dealing with Career Challenges

A teacher from Singapore recently sought advice on an online forum regarding how to cope with workplace disappointment after failing to secure a final award in an in-house competition. She explained that she had been nominated for a teaching award for the second consecutive year and participated in a mini-competition where she recorded her lesson and competed against other nominees. Despite her hard work and extensive preparation, she did not make it to the final selection.

In her post, the teacher expressed feelings of self-doubt and insecurity about her abilities after receiving constructive feedback from the interview board. She shared that the feedback contained several critiques, which made her question her competence as a teacher, leading her to feel inadequate.

Many netizens responded with encouragement and positive advice. One commenter suggested that she view the competition as an opportunity for growth rather than something to win. They advised her to use the feedback as a stepping stone for career development. Another commenter reassured her by pointing out that simply being nominated for the award was a significant achievement, drawing a parallel with how many great actors and actresses are nominated for Oscars but not all win. They emphasised that the award was just a small part of her career, and her passion for teaching and the impact she had on her students were far more important.

Others reminded the teacher that her failure to win the competition did not define her abilities. They encouraged her to take pride in her accomplishments, including the nomination itself. One person, who had worked with teachers but was not one themselves, expressed admiration for the dedication teachers show.

Educational experts highlight that self-criticism is common among teachers, but there are ways to overcome these challenges. Setting realistic expectations, breaking down larger goals into manageable tasks, and taking regular breaks are strategies that can help teachers cope with workplace disappointment and boost their confidence. In response to the teacher’s post, several users shared additional advice and tips on managing workplace setbacks, reinforcing the idea that resilience and perspective are key to overcoming disappointment in one’s career.