Hard work pays off

I have not made an entry in my blog for a long time, but since its the Easter holidays and I have nothing much else to do, I thought that I would blog it.

Anyway, since the last time I wrote, I have been really busy in school (like most teachers at this time) marking projects etc and getting pupils prepared for exams.

Not only that but I was busy filing out application forms for jobs....and I am glad to say that I have got a permanent job in the school that I am currently in. I am sooo excited and happy that I will be staying in a school for longer than a year and I am very fortunate as jobs are very hard to come by. My hard work throughout the year has obviously paid off. I believe that the main reason that I got the job, was not the fact that I am a fabulous teacher or anything (YET) but the fact that I am continually striving to better myself and that I am 100% committed to working with pupils. I obviously have lots of development to do( what teacher has'nt) but I am a lucky that I am able to do it in the school that I am currently in.

My advice to anyone applying for jobs at the moment is:

• Big up yourself - sell yourself and always be positive.
• Always relate everything you do back to the benefit of pupils.
• Show your enthusiam.
• Smile lots and show that you love teaching.
• Practice answers in your head before you have an interview.

I know that next year is going to be even tougher for me. Especially since the other member of my department is leaving - and I may have to teach Advanced Highers.!!!! But I am looking forward to the challenge and seeing pupils develop through the stages!!!!

Its been a while....

Its been a while, I know....but that is teaching for you. Really, I have had nothing to complain about or worry about ( or I have but I am just learning to deal with things).

Question...to anyone out there?

Does every teacher have a bad day and question whether teaching is for them or not??

I want to be a good teacher but it is just not happening. I can see the kids looking at me thinking "what on earth is she talking about?..she knows nothing". Its when I stand up in front of them..and rubbish comes out of my mouth. I felt more confident when I was a student teacher..its really strange.

And this year is going in sooo fast. I will be applying for permanent jobs very soon and it scares me...but yet it excites me also. I do love the school that I am in at the moment, but the idea of starting again sounds good....I can leave all my mistakes behind!!!! A fresh start!!!! Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and change a few things!

Winding down

Thought I'd put a picture of me here...This is me in London pretending to be a Dj!!!!!




Only two weeks to go until Christmas!!! Whoo hoo. Don't get me wrong...I am liking my job but I am in real need of a holiday...I am starting to wind down for the Christmas holidays....am I too early????

NEVER.

I still have lots of work to do however, Marking!!!!!! I have finished marking my 4th year prelims and I must say I am both very surprised and very disappointed with some of the results. The ones that I thought would pass, did not and the ones who I was concerned about - did!!!! I dunno.

Off that topic...I was thinking about starting up a homework blog with one or two of my classes. Can anyone think of any suggestions as to how I may use a blog for homework.
I was thinking about offering it as homework help/reminder thing. Has anyone got a homework blog already??

What do you think?

FIRED!!!!

not really...

Now this rarely happens in teaching - an extra day off. But it happened today and I will remember it for the rest of my career.

There was a fire in the school assembly hall and we all got sent home. Fortunately, it happened at 7am this morning and no-one was hurt.

Now although I was happy about getting an extra day off - I was actually looking forward to going to school (for once). Shame.

I decided that I would take myself into town and buy even more clothes - it seems that all of the kids had the same idea.

It'g good to.....

TALK

I have recently discovered that teaching is not an individual activity - meaning you are not alone.

Just when you think that your lessons are crap and your behaviour management is bad - you talk to another teacher in another subject and they are having the same problems with the exact same bunch of kids. So ALL IS NOT BAD!!! I AM NOT ALONE..

I was having a particular problem with one teenager, who was not working in class and being slightly disruptive. Anyway, I was talking to my mentor about this kid and it turns out she also taught him/her. She was able to show me the work he/she had produced for her and she also gave me some hints on how to interact with him/her , having taught him/her for two years. This enabled me to motivate him/her into being more productive in class.

SO NOTE TO SELF: if you are having a problem - TALK TO OTHERS.

PART 2

I am thinking about setting up a cheerleading club in school. Good idea??

Who wants to.....

be in an accounts class last last period on a Friday?????

Me but not the kids. As soon as they step foot in my classroom on friday afternoon its like the weekend has begun. I have tried to stimulate their little minds in other ways - like playing beat the class and what's in the accountant's bag - but even then they can't concentrate. At least I know its not just me - it happens to every teacher last period on a Friday.

But I love accounts!

Anyway, I had a sucessful lesson today with my fourth year class. I let two pupils "be the teacher" and write the other pupils' answers on the blackboard. They really enjoyed it and the whole class were quiet. Note to self - be interactive - get pupils to do the work.

All in all, a good day for Miss K.

Getting there.....

slowly......

Teaching is the biggest rollercoaster EVER made. Seriously, sometimes I am on a high and sometimes I am steeply going down and wondering if I'll ever get my life back. One day I love it and some days I want to escape go back to uni (again) and be a student forever...and have lies in and watch Neighbours twice a day!

I am making progress though (I think) no, I KNOW!!!!! I have also discovered that, that is what the probation year is all about - learning and progression. If you don't learn then you are in the wrong job and if you don't progress then you are definitely doing something wrong.

I have discovered (from numerous people telling me) that initially I was being far too hard on myself and being over critical. But, its very hard not to be hard and critical of yourself when you want to be good at something. I was hoping to be superteacher from the word go, but have since realised that even teacher's who have been teaching for ages are still not 'perfect' and make mistakes too.

On the positive side, I have managed to move some of my classes to another classroom. Now remember I said that my classroom had a really bad layout? Well, 2 of the classes I have managed to get another classroom for. I still don't have a media projector or a OHP - just a blackboard, 30 desks and ME! But what I am trying to say is that the environment in the new classroom is far better and I now believe that the layout of the classroom and position of the blackboard/teacher are vital to teaching and learning.