The week it felt like it all came together...

This week was by far the best week I’ve had. When I think back over it I can see quite clearly why. I was organised…I had thought through what I needed to do for the week and managed to create a much clearer picture in my mind as to what needed to happen for the week to be successful.  Because I have had my mentor in my room at least once a week I have had the chance to see her model a few different things for me. The modelling has mainly been in reading which is the area I felt most lost in. After observing her and being able to do interactive sessions with the groups, I feel more confident when I’m taking the groups.  My numeracy groups are also coming together now that I have a better idea of where all the children are at.  Things are slowly starting to make sense and for the first time I don’t feel so much like I’m sinking but that I am able to swim. Not too far and not out too deep but I am certainly gaining the confidence to do more.

There are so many different aspects of teaching, so many different things to think about and remember all while you are trying to make sense of the systems and procedures of a school.  One thing that has blown me away is the amount of emails I receive in a day. Some of them I can’t even bare to open as it will most likely result in another task on my to do list.  Learning how to manage these things will be a long journey.  Some of the meetings we have at the moment go straight over my head and to some extent I feel like it is close to pointless me being there but I’m sure as time goes on things will become clearer and I will understand what is going on around me. They say that sometimes ignorance is bliss and I would have to agree.  Sometimes it is best to let things wash over you and not get stressed about the things you don’t understand. I know I have really good support here and I am not apprehensive about asking my team for help when I need it. I feel good going into the next couple of weeks, especially now having made it to over the half way mark.

It has officially begun...

The week before school starts has quickly come upon us.  This week consisted of two full teacher only days which were jam packed full of amazing bits and pieces.  I have got a lot out of these days and I'm sure that I will use a lot of what we have gone over.  The most important part for me was being able to spend time with the other staff and get to know them better.  It has been a huge benefit coming into a school which was already so familiar to me.  Having been as ex-student here myself and my daughter attending has helped but the biggest factor was running the after school care programme here for six years.  This has meant that majority of the staff here already knew me and I was able to come in as a familiar face.  I have felt as though I fit in quite well and have found that I am a lot less nervous than I expected to be and a lot more comfortable.  The cross over from parent to teacher in the staffroom does seem a bit odd, but I'm sure that will disappear fairly quickly once we get into the year.  

I have realise just how much I don't know and what a huge learning journey this will be.  I don't think anything can really prepare me for what I am about to experience but I am ready for the challenge. This has been a dream for me for a very long time...one that I never expected to come true.  Now that it has, I am going to take every opportunity and make the most of this incredible job that I get to do.


My first day in the classroom...

It’s all new, and there is so much of it. Information overload.

Even though I’ve only been in the classroom for a day, I can see I am going to be on a huge learning journeying over the next few months. Yes, I will be on a learning journey for the rest of my life however, this first few weeks feels as though it is going to be a very significant challenge.  What I have found in this very first week is that communication is going to be key in every area.  Whether it be with my mentor teacher, team leader, co-teacher, parents or students, the communication lines and relationships built are essential to success in the classroom.

Starting the year with two days of parent interviews was tough but fantastic.  It gave a real insight into the children in my class and the families they come from. I felt confident and enjoyed sharing a bit of myself with each of them.  One of the things I made sure they knew was that they could communicate with me through emails or before and after school whenever they need to so now it will be a matter of upholding that and making sure I respond and keep communication flowing both ways.

My first week is already gone...

My first full three days teaching in the classroom has been exhausting.  I had a couple of lessons that were just a mess but I didn’t let it get me too down or worried because I know I have a lot to learn. I’m focusing on behaviour management at the moment to ensure that I get the class into the appropriate routines and expectations.   That way I know I can send my students off to work independently with out having to worry about whether they are doing the right thing.  When it came to the lessons that  were a little messy, it was due to not having enough for them do engage in. I need to think more about extension activities for those who get what we are doing quickly, or those who finish work quickly. I will work on this for next week.

Outside of the classroom there is a lot to take in as well. Even simple things like remembering your duties or when your class is on certain activities with in the school.  This all piles up in my head and has made it hard to see a clear picture in front of me. I’m hoping that in the next couple of weeks it will all be flowing a little easier and the picture will become more clear.

Week 3

This week I have focussed more on getting my maths groups up and running. It’s been quite a daunting thought to have four numeracy groups, all at different levels for which I am responsible for.  As I have been told though, I need to take one thing at a time and get that right.  I’m finding that there are a lot of interruptions in a school week and it proves very difficult to get through an entire plan, or even lesson sometimes with no disruptions.  I need to learn to be ok with this, and become more flexible.  It’s not the end of the world if I don’t get through everything in a day. I’m feeling more and more comfortable as the days pass and feel like next week will be the week that I feel like I’ve found my feet.  The relationships with students and staff are growing at a great speed and I feel like I am definitely part of the school community. I would love to be involved in lunch time clubs and do sports groups but I know that right now I need to focus on my practice and learning as much as I can about how the school runs and how to run my classroom in the most effective way.

I need to remember we are only three weeks in and I am doing a good job so far.  My students are happy, they are learning and we are on this journey together.

As one journey ends, another begins...

I approach the stairs, as I hear my name called a flood of emotion hits me in the chest.  The walk up the stairs was over in a flash, and as the principal shook my hand, kissed my cheek and handed me that beautiful piece of paper that I had worked so hard for, it hit me...it was the end. 

I have my degree! So many sacrifices had been made over the past three years to ensure that at this very moment, I would receive my ticket to a new life, a better life for myself and my daughter.  As I walked away from the ceremony, one hand holding my degree and the other holding the hand of my daughter, it dawned on me that in fact this was not the end, but only the beginning. 

Graduating on it's own was something I never thought I would do, so to graduate and have a job secured for the first two terms of the year was in my eyes a miracle. The job is not full time which is what i was hoping for ideally, but I am so thankful to be heading into next year knowing all this work has paid off.  I have missed school trips, athletics days, assemblies and other activities that my daughter has had on because I had to study and get assignments done. She has been such a support and encouraged me the whole way.  She has made countless coffee's helped with housework and wished with every part of her that I could be a teacher at her school.  The day I was able to tell her that her wish had come true was beyond special. To see her eyes light up, then fill with tears of joy at the thought of having Mum around everyday made it all worth while. 

Starting a new journey is always a bit rough. I don't know what to expect, what will life for us look like now? While it makes me nervous, I am excited about the future.  I am looking forward to learning new things and becoming the best teacher I can be.  This blog will follow my journey as a beginning teacher. It will show the honest truths about the ups and downs of school life and home life in my first two years of teaching.  It's bound to be a rough ride but a rewarding one at that.