--- title: "The Real Cost of Teaching in Singapore: Time, Energy, Mental Health [W&S 124 ft Ex-MOE Teachers]" description: Teaching is a calling that many enter with passion, but what happens when the classroom door closes behind you? image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/WnS%20124.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-124#main-content) [![Full_COlour](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full_COlour.png?width=456&height=80&name=Full_COlour.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) Jun 9, 2025, 7:44:42 AM # The Real Cost of Teaching in Singapore: Time, Energy, Mental Health \[W&S 124 ft Ex-MOE Teachers\] ![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-124) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-124) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-124) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-124) [![Follow The Financial Coconut](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46975693/interactive-182431637553.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2CjCe42iR2RH2MpVX0Ej%2BKJQ%2F3A0Z7pXnUs35To%2Bo6nbKcpBVq9I98X5NUungVEwfs5YCKuM%2FaP97VxIITkTlihT57%2F%2F4XDW9rT3VR4MatSLDi%2BMU5mbQqihfX3LRRz83ij8K19OiD8UXy8sdct4t0Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182431637553&portalId=46975693)   Ever wondered what it’s REALLY like to be a teacher? Why do passionate educators walk away from the profession? And what happens after they leave? In this raw episode, we sat with former teachers who dared to trade the chalkboard for new adventures. They pull back the curtain on: - The hidden challenges: From "low-grade stress that never switches off" to emotional tolls and sleepless nights. - The unexpected highs: Moments that made it all worth it (hint: it’s not just report cards). - Why they left: The turning points that pushed them to reinvent their careers. Meet our guests: - Lily Chew, Founder of Lil’ but Mighty — Former primary school "super-teacher" of English, Math, Science, and Art - Siti Zahidah — Ex-JC General Paper tutor (8+ years) who traded red pens for new horizons They debate: "Would I ever go back?" and share blunt advice for anyone dreaming of a teaching career. Don’t miss this unfiltered conversation about burnout, generational clashes in schools, and finding life beyond the bell. Is teaching still the "noble profession" we imagine? Tune in to find out! Listen now wherever you get podcasts! **What We Discuss:** - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU) Intro - [06:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=362s) How has teaching changed today? - [09:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=584s) How demanding is teaching physically and emotionally? - [16:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=1005s) How do you handle emotional strain from teaching? - [26:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=1595s) What was your reason for leaving the profession? - [32:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=1945s) Could you see yourself teaching again someday? - [36:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=2195s) What should people know before becoming teachers? - [41:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mXW5vsuQU&t=2486s) Outro **Episode Resources:** - [Spotify](https://linktw.in/sfVYLK) - [YouTube](https://linktw.in/gotVji) - [Apple podcast](https://linktw.in/mYFoXt) New episodes every [Monday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/wise-and-shine)  Share us your thoughts on this episode and let us know what do you want to hear next. You can now be our community contributor and make a [pitch ](https://thefinancialcoconut.com/contact/)to have your favourite personality be on our show. Join our [community group](https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2-JSYItZawSUnNP4YhAicLp0H2wXwx8EBmQgbzOJrjA6YRiPWXtFDSH4_aem_t1DMRY5jrSAapreaSX9ntw) and drop us your insights on this topic.   ### Stay ahead in your financial journey! 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