Term 3, 2013

Well. .. I moved on to a new teaching position.  Much more like I thought teaching should be.  Happy. .. All good. 

New job - different experience . . .

It has been a while since my last blog. After my first quite negative experience teaching I felt leaving things a little while to settle in to a new role and determine if teaching is for me would be a good idea. As it is my introduction to my new job within a new school could not have been more positive. The PRT process is not used as a threat or in a punitive way but rather as a team project to support and encourage a 'newbie' on to success. It is everything I envisioned the PRT process should be. My tutor, otherwise known as a mentor teacher, is very well experienced, forthcoming with guidance and support and is quick to commend and slow to criticize but when there is need she guides, provides example and gives input. It is simply wonderful and for the first time since entering the teaching profession I feel supported, encouraged and guided within an environment where I feel confident I could make a mistake and someone would be there to realign, educate and lead me on to success. Not that I plan to fail or make a mistake but I am a new teacher and at some point, being human and new to teaching, it is inevitable I will make an error. 

My SCT, Deputy and Head are all supportive and encouraging as well. The school is composite and rural so there is a feeling of real community. The parents, cousins, spouses and extended family of students attend school or work locally. Everyone knows what is going on and they know who I am before I have even met them. I am enjoying the smaller community but miss the ability to be able to go out at night for a brew or ice-cream. Other than walking the dog there isn't anywhere to go or anything to do, but the upside is I can make funky lessons for physics, mechanics, biology, astronomy and geology! To be honest, even if I had the opportunity to go out I find I am rather exhausted each evening so probably wouldn't go out anyhow! 

I had my first parent meeting today. A naughty year 12 student refused to do any work in class, outwardly distracted others and then refused to my face to complete any activity given him. I checked his knowledge and ability and even he could do the work, refused and started texting. After determining there was no emergency or other issue he needed allowance for I agreed to a meeting with his father who the student had told little porkies too. Naughty! Anyway, the meeting went well and now we are all on the same page I will be texting the students father with any future defiance! The funniest thing was when I told the student last week to stop texting during lesson time to which he said he would report me to his father. I told him to do just that and I would be very happy to meet his father. The student didn't tell his father that and now his father has told me that his son needs to be told once and once only then the phone should be removed. The same with swearing or defiance.

So, with the support of the father, my tutor teacher and the wider school I'll be setting clear expectations, yet again in hope that some work will be completed in readiness for the external exam at the end of the term.

I have duty with the littlies twice a week and it makes me wish I had studied primary instead of secondary teaching. I love their little faces and total raw honesty. Actually, I really felt an affinity with the Year 7 & 8 students and my perfect job would be teaching this age range. Gosh! It would be a dream. This and the fact they are so easilly awe struck with science ideas and amazing facts. Anyway, for now I am enjoying the primary school and I cant get over how fast their little legs can run when they see a football they want to play with but before being given it having to eat all their lunch and show the lunch box to me to prove it. Their little eyes and the anticipation of being told "ok, good - you can go and play now" - it touches me. So, so cute. They are so eager to report an injustice or bad behaviour and have a real sense of right and wrong but gee, they can be stubborn and unforgiving when theres been a fall out. There is no mistaking how they are feeling: happy, sad, angry, frustrated...all the emotions are just there. Its kinda human-nature worn on the outside and voiced with no sense of boundaries. I love my duty times. Makes me laugh and occasionally moves me. Yes, I wish I had trained primary instead of secondary. Still, I am having a great experience. 

The school is more like what I expected from teaching. There are usual issues when so many people work together but nothing out of the ordinary. I like it. Its a bit lonely out here all by myself, but overall, I am having a positive time. I am much happier having moved schools. Whether it is until the end of the year or the end of next year is yet to be seen. In the meantime I'll do my best to teach, inspire and educate. I am so blessed.