Why do I teach?

Why do you teach? A step in faith

GEORGIA-ROSE TRAVIS 26 February 2013 - The Press, New Zealand

Fairffax NZ

BIG HEARTS: Teaching is about giving to others and contributing to the wider community.

There are many news items in local and national papers about the loss of teaching positions in Canterbury, mergers, closures and future teacher redundancies.

These comments, as well as a forseen lack of teaching positions for the number of teachers seeking employment, does not seem to bode well for the profession – yet students are still flooding to complete teacher training. Why?

Add to the mix the debacle with Novopay and why would anyone in their right mind want to think about a teaching career?

Against all advice, I took the leap from a comfortable well paid job with a nice office, continual opportunities for professional development and study, and walked in to a void of unknowns, including unemployment and a massive struggle to even secure an interview once teacher training was completed. An idiotic decision you might say.

I don't think so.

A New Zealand teaching qualification is recognised worldwide as one of the best teaching and learning diplomas available, and worldwide Kiwi teachers are being snapped up.

With this in mind, teacher training isn't a bad idea if you are seeking to find employment overseas where there are significant shortfalls in teacher numbers, but maybe not so great if you are planning to stay in Christchurch.

Last year saw the largest number of graduating teacher numbers in the Canterbury area and also nationwide. It will be interesting to see what the numbers of graduating teachers are like at the end of this coming year.

Of all those graduates from this year that I know were seriously seeking employment, all but one has found a position, so maybe the outlook is not as bad as commonly understood.

The number of individuals entering teacher training is not slowing down. So, what does the growing number of trainee teachers tell us?

The number of people being made redundant across New Zealand rose these last couple of years, which resulted in people rethinking their options and considering retraining – many of them going on to become teachers.

More than anything else this shows that we live in a caring society. People who have lost their jobs or who have come to teacher training by any other route are thinking about others more than themselves.

They are thinking about our youth, our education and what they have that they can give to others and contribute to a wider section of our communities than maybe they were able to prior.

Canterbury is truly a community, not without problems, but regardless, a true and genuine community invested in helping each other and investing in our future generations.

Teaching is professed as not an easy occupation and not everyone is suited to the challenges it presents.

How blessed are we that in Christchurch, with all the challenges that everyone has faced these last two years and continue to face in the future, so many are willing to give so much more of themselves to others? Not just to others, but to our youth, the future of Christchurch and New Zealand.

The numbers of individuals wanting to complete teaching training in Christchurch is an indicator of how many people are thinking of giving their life to the service of others. What an amazing place to live.

This is even more amazing because teaching is one of the few career paths that one does not undertake for money, but rather for love, passion and hope.

It is a step in faith that it will all work out in the end, even with over-production of graduating teachers.

There are no reasons that all graduates, with enough passion, perseverance and hope cannot realise their teaching goals, whether overseas, nationwide, or with a bit of faith in Christchurch.

There may be an oversupply of teachers, but Canterbury also seems to have an abundance of goodwill, community spirit and hope for the future.

As more families arrive, youngsters enrol in schools, we'll need teachers... so the figures may be gloomy now, but that won't always be the case, and when the city takes off again, ready to take the plunge will be newly trained, up to date, enthusiastic teachers. Yep! Christchurch has a lot to look forward to.

Even though the Government has plans to close schools, merge sites and force redundancies and even in the face of not being paid by Novopay - me included - teachers continue to teach.

They continue to arrive at work and support our youth, encourage our teenagers, guide dreams and show great resilience where many would have given up and walked away.

Teachers may come in all shapes and sizes, attitudes and outlooks, but what they all have in common is that they all have a spark that keeps them going, that feeling of worth and value when just one student has a spark ignited.

It is not a job for everyone, but those that enter the profession and stick with it have a special quality that the Government, regardless of what it forces on them, Novopay, or general negative publicity cannot destroy.

Teachers can, teachers do and teachers teach, not for the money, kudos or self gratification, but primarily because they have a desire to make a difference, or at least give all they have to try to make a difference.

Why do teachers teach - because teachers truly care.

Available at link http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/assignments/why-do-you-love-teaching/8352528/Why-do-you-teach-A-step-in-faith 

Professional Development - Inquiry

Made a poster on Pasifika achievement across the curriculum. It was a good learning exercise. School is good. Students are engaging - the two African boys are learning English a little quicker now. It's heart warming to see. Had my first student start thinking 'she can' instead of 'I can't' and that was moving - I must get her some information. One Japanese student doesn't want to work hard and her laziness is driving me a little mental but I need to leave her to it did a while and see how it goes - as in give her easy work to keep her happy for now and stop pushing her. I don't think they'll be any benefit in trying to get her to give me work she just doesn't want to do even she is capable. It's work she asked for so I don't mind admitting that being up until midnight making her a workbook she now won't use has naffed me off a bit. Still, smile and move passed it. She might have something else going on so let's not worry for now. Other than that, alls well after making some changes to my routine.
I still haven't been paid tho.
Still, a bit of patience and that will come right too. It's all time!!!
Right., earthquake anniversary tomorrow... Wow! Two minute silence mid day to remember those that died. Sigh. It still makes me want to move when I think about it too much. . .

I am not really sure whats going on in School Politics!

Teaching is fantastic. I love it and the students appear to be learning and forming trusting relationships with me. This part of teaching is great. What I am confused about are all the politics and 'he says - she says' comments. It has me in circles and it is excruciatingly difficult not to be dragged in to it. I've decided to keep well out of the 'opinions' and 'critisisms' to concentrate on teaching. At the end of the day, teachers are like students themselves, individuals with their own personalities and seemingly, their own hurts and upsets. This gives a fuller picture of the feelings, anxieties and thoughts that those working at school hold.  I find myself pulled in various directions and for sanities sake and to be able to concentrate on the students I need to remove myself from the conversations which are more critical than I would like, and I really don't know who to believe or what to say. I am too new to have a real opinion or to be able to understand historical pains that folk have not yet healed from. This aside working in school is like watching, or being part of a mega-organism where everyone works together to make the cogs turn and produce results. All the teachers, no matter how they feel, have some altruism and are willing enough to give advice and help if needed. I have a deeper and much more rounded respect for teachers because of this now.

What I wasn't expecting were the fractions between management, senior management and teachers. Yet, this is similar to any workplace with a system of hierarchy. I'm a firm believer in respecting management and towing the line in accordance with their wishes whether in agreement or not, as I usually have faith that management see a much bigger picture than we, the 'lower' but valued workers, might see or perceive. Still, I think I will slow down the 'mingling' until I have formed some solid ideas and opinions of my own, which to date are nothing but positive. These include the schools philosophy, the schools leadership, the students, the support, the training opportunities, collaboration and of course more importantly the students. The students make this job, and it feels a real honour to be able to be part of their lives and educational outcomes. In reality, no matter where one works, there are politics, those unhappy, those with hurts and upsets and those who dislike the leadership. Equally, there are those who feel the opposite way and have great positivity. I guess a real challenge is to get everyone feeling and nurturing an outlook that verges more towards positivity than negativity. I don't envy that job.

I thought this school was the place for me, but certain comments and discussions have placed doubt in my mind. Still, I can see myself settled at the school for years to come. We'll see. It might be time to stop smiling, being so friendly and helpful and withdraw a little until people get to know me. I think I'll park elsewhere too after my car being damaged twice now. I do truly wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something - I hope not, because I truly believe I can make a difference to these students lives and learning outcomes. I am unsure as to the future, peoples thought of me, opinions of me or whether over time some will warm to me, but I have decided that I do not care anymore. I am too old and too passed it to be bothered with comments or opinions about me from people who haven't walked my journey. It is my hope and my dream to teach and make a difference or at least try. To encourage students towards their goals and nurture a belief in themselves beyond much of the low self-esteem many of them have already expressed. These last things are my aims and goals. It is not about me, the politics or even about fractions that exist, but about young lives that need guidance, time and faith.

I do really hate politics . . . games and agendas. Id rather just know where the hell I stand and get on with the job at hand - caring, teaching and trying to engage students.

My job is the BEST job. 'My' School is the BEST school!

It is., it is., it is., It is true. Teaching is the best job in the world. The school I am at is the best school EVER and it is "only Decile 2". Hmmm (thoughtful drone) - I have learnt that Decile 2 does not mean bad, below, rubbish or anything else detrimental. What I learnt more, is that a Decile 2 school can have excellent management, structures, procedures, planning and visions which surpass school Decile labels greater than 2. Specifically, 'my' school is led by a Principal who has had to work hard to gain her position and understands where students are coming from, how they feel and has empathy with their struggles. She is open to constructive comments even if opinions do not agree with her own and is a just, fair, open and clear leader with focus on student achievement, equality and professional development. 

The students are no more rowdy than other schools although I am not saying for a moment there are not additional challenges, mainly related to the socio-economic area, health care and general motivation levels that comes along with low income homes. The students I have met so far are all personable, albeit some are a bit stroppy and moody, but so was I as a teenager. No, I think stereotyping a school solely on the basis of its decile rating is inappropriate. There is more to a school than its rating as a result of its location. The people, including teachers, students and extended community members give the school I work at a rich, varied and vibrant feel.

I think it is perfect! I have the best job in the best school. I don't think I'll be moving any time soon.

Many Up's and one minor Down!

This last week has been interesting.

'My' school is exceptional! I am kinda half running the ESOL department and been told by both teachers and students that my classes are better than they have had for sometime. 'My' students are lovely and there are NO behavioural issues at all with ESOL, although there are a couple of challenging students in my Mentor Group, but nothing too major. Science is amazing . . . The HOLA is new this year too and full of enthusiasm. She thinks I am "science teacher extraordinaire" and keeps telling people that. She asked the Principal to move me over into science and get someone else to cover ESOL. I didn't know where to look . . . very flattered. I love science but I am very much enjoying the ESOL students. Being split between two departments is time consuming and a little more difficult than just being in one learning area but there are many benefits having a foot in each camp including an opportunity to see a wider range of teaching styles. I do not know which subject I am most passionate about at the moment. When I am in ESOL, it is great. When I am in Science it is great. Hmmmm, Everything is GREAT! Even so, I do not mind saying that at first I felt a bit like a cat chasing its tail with a PRT load and having to organise departmental documents, student testing, results, expenditure and funding too, but I am just starting to feel a bit more in 'control' of my time now. It has so far, been very rewarding and I am loving the experience. Something I am sure I will repeat a few times more yet.

Most of the teachers are amazing - I am trying to take all their advice and experience onboard. Not one person has ever turned me away when asking for help or clarification - it is EVERYTHING I hoped teaching would be. The school is a great fit for me and it feels I have been there forever already. I will be working with a lecturer from a tertiary institution on a programme for Year 8's and that is thrilling. The Head of science, and a Math Teacher as well as myself have been working hard to present an exciting unit. I've decided to do 'snot delicious snot' for the second lesson, Superman Science for the third and of course the first will focus on Lab Safety.

Anyway, this update is all positive - I haven't made a difference yet, but it is early days and I am not a miracle worker as some people seem to credit me as being. I am just one person fumbling along. However, there is one girl, Yr13, in my Mentor Group who believes she cannot reach her dream job so I am gently encouraging her to build up her self-esteem. In fact, from my goal sheets it appears that quite a few students have low self-esteem and I would like to think that in someway the school system can assist with improving that by subtle non-intrusive ways.

The Principal has a deep seated and very moving philosophy in regard to everyone being supported to reach their goals. I like her and I like her philosophy. Her words sometimes inspire me to blog in an alternate site. The only minor issue I had was that a very small section of staff who took exception to my having a PhD and made it very clear that they felt it was the only reason I got the job and that another person who applied should really have been given it. I decided to smile and treat them with kindness. Maybe when they get to know me a bit they will warm to me and if not, then the issue is not really me, but something beyond that. I reckon once I am established they will change their minds - I hope so. I am torn between having words and just letting it lay. For now, I want to ignore it but it is difficult to not reveal names when asked. Still, I don't need drama and I really, really want to make this work for everyone, including those who might not have warmed to me immediately. It is impossible to be liked by all, and I am liked by most, and that is the best I could ask for. Well, I have SO VERY MUCH to learn - I am off to read about ESOL standards. oh! I haven't been paid yet hahahhaha - that must mean I am a 'real' teacher - I have TEACHER PAY issues - who would think one would be happy to have that challenge. lol

Well, in summary, I am having the time of my life. I have NEVER felt so wonderful about going to work, even though the hours are long and make me SO TIRED all the time. I wouldn't have it any other way. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

I love my job!

ESOl / science teaching.

A student asked to be transferred to my class today.... Sweet!

The head of science referred to me as "science teacher extraordinaire" today too!...... Sweeter!

I LOVE my job..... I love everything about it and everyone I've met, even I haven't completely found my feet yet.

I get to teach a primary class funky, exciting science in 4 weeks too. Wow, cannot wait and thinking of hands on activities now. They'll be hooked on science and excited about the world around them by the time my enthusiasm for science has drenched them. Hahaha......

Awesome......... I think I finally found my true  calling.........

Loveeeeeeee being a teacher - just love it. Comfortable in the role and it's all so natural. The other staff think I'm experienced and are so surprised when I say I am just a first year teacher. I hope I can meet all expectations.