My first year is officially over

It's hard to believe that I have now been a teacher for a year.

This year has been full of ups and downs, trials and triumphs...but I made it, and so did the students in my class.

My biggest learning this year has been that you can't do everything at once and that if you try, you end up getting less done and the quality is less than desirable.  At times I really struggled with this because as the terms went on I felt like I should have been able to do more than I was. However, I was surrounded by people who encouraged me and told me to stay realistic about what is really achievable in a week.  This has been a very positive experience and the nature of the school and the people that make up the school have had a huge bearing on this.

The students though, are what make a classroom what it is.  I have been very lucky this year and the relationships within my classroom have been amazing. The families have been beautiful to work with and the children have responded well to me as a new teacher.  I have also had a very close relationship with my co-teacher, Belinda. She has been a crucial part of my year being as successful as it has been. Belinda was able to fill in the gaps that were left because of my inexperience or lack of knowledge in certain areas. Usually that was in the area of school procedures and events that have run for a long time with in the school. Unfortunately she is off to the south island next year and that will leave a rather large hole.  It's been such an honour to work alongside her and I have learned so much from her.

There have been many times where I have thought that maybe working part time was a cop out and that really, I should be working full time. On reflection I can see that it was absolutely the best way to go for me. It's not what I wanted at the time but it's what was on offer and I knew I needed to get my foot into whatever door I could. It has been great experience for me and given me time to ease back into working.  I have a daughter and I need to make sure that she is still getting the attention she needs.  I am a Mum first, a teacher second and that needs to stay that way.  I have had time to rest, soak in what I have learned and be the best I can be at this point in time.  As time goes on I will take on more responsibility with in the school context and this will be another learning curve. The learning will never stop, that is also something that has become very clear.

I have managed to do most things well this year and I'm pleased with the way I have finished. I've finished knowing that I have a full time permanent position to come back to in 2016.  The thought of having my own class to manage with out a second person is daunting but I do feel ready for the challenge.