It has been a while...
I haven't posted in a while, mainly because I haven't known what to say and don't think I have really had anything overly important to say.
I have regularly been reading others' posts and comments both in communities and in personal journals. I have commented when I felt I could contribute something relevant.
I am in a strange phase in my life. I have been teaching for the past two years, after having graduated from uni at the end of 2006. I recently resigned from the school I have taught at for these 2 years. It wasn't something I was entiely happy about doing, but my gut feeling was that it was something I needed to do in order for me to continue to become the best teacher I can be. I was working at a great school which had so many good things going on. That being said, I worked closely with a group of very judgemental people who were quick to point the finger. They were so good at pin-pointing weaknesses in other people that they rarely saw or acknowledged their strengths. Let me clarify that this was not something that happened solely to me, it wasn't highglighted by any one particular event, it was just the way this group (didn't) worked. There was bitching about others behind their backs, there was little regard for other points of view/opinions/ideas, there was little support for trying to do things that had not been done before. I was the first to raise this issue with the principal - she was usually a very supportive person but basically said to me "What are you going to do about it?" I had explained to her that I had done what I knew how to do and what I thought would be effective, to no avail. So in essence she was saying to me "Deal with it". A couple of months after this, a few others spoke to me about what they had noticed, clarifying everything that I had already noticed. They also spoke to the principal about the issue. She was more receiving when they spoke to her about it. This obviously frustrated me, and made me feel as though my opinion and observations were not being taken seriously. I let this issue slide and gradually saw a few changes occur in the way the group worked. The thing I found the hardest working with this group is that I could see how we all could have worked so well together and done such great things for the students - if only there could have been one or two of the big-wigs who would have had the guts to listen to others. Being in this uncomfortable work environment did very little for my overall wellbeing. I hated going to work.
So, I had resigned from this job before having another job to go to. A week and a half ago I had an interview at another school. It was the job that I really wanted. I spoke very well, clearly and consisely. I showed them who I am and what I believe in. They were impressed and offered me the job at the completion of the interview. I am so excited about it! I am going to be teaching subjects that I would have waited a long time to be able to teach at my last school. I am teaching a number of subjects I have never taught before and that I am passionate about. The facilities are so much more varied that what I am used to.
I am really looking forward to making the changes I need to in 2009. I want to use the skills I have learnt in DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) the work in collaboration with others in a way that is consistent with my beliefs and values.
Other issues...
I have played soccer for the past 8 years. I love it! I am at a crossroads as to whether I am going to continue to play. I had a knee (ACL) reconstruction in March 2007. I had a great recovery, everything healed well and I built my strength and fitness back up. I played this year, as goalkeeper (which I had done in the past but don't really enjoy). In women's soccer in Australia we have the following divisions: national, state, premier league, div 1, div 2, div 3, metro. I have always played in Premier League. It is a lot of commitment and is a physically and mentally taxing level of competition. I am at the stage where I think my passion and body are starting to wain. I am trying to make the decision as to whether I will continue to play soccer or not. If I decide to play I also need to deicde what level to play at, which may be determined by what divisions the local clubs are in. I feel that reserves in premier league would be suitable, or division 1. Have sat with this weighing on my shoulders for a few months now. I just wish I could decide. I know that if I don't play this year I probably will never play competitively again.
I am also playing beach volleyball. Which involves playing and/or training 4 times a week. I have a feeling that playing soccer as well might be too much when I add in the time I spend at DBT as well. I also want to put in my best effort in my new job, playing soccer as well as volleyball would definitely make for a very stressful year.
I have another 3 and a half weeks of holidays. Now I know this sounds like a dream. But trust me, it is such a long time. I get bored. Often I just feel like sleeping the days away. I often spend time out in the sun reading a novel, anything that takes a long time. I go to the gym for 1-2 hours at a time. I try not to eat, which means I sometimes have a few days without eating at all. Strange.
Anyway, I jsut figured I hadn't posted in a while so it was as good a time as any to fill you all in on my life at the moment.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Bring on 2009!
Barnes xo