I'm going through a lot of stuff right now. It's liberating, exhilarating and terrifying but a long time coming ( Read more... )

I'm going to try to start using this journal as a teaching reflection outlet. I need somewhere to vent frustrations and reflect on what's happened during the day and what I want to do better. This may not be the best place for it (I find LJ's archiving annoying), but we'll see ( Read more... )

I can't believe it's been nearly three months since I got my job! It's been a wonderful time. I've been sick a fair bit with viruses and infections of all kinds (kind of to be expected as a beginning Early Childhood teacher, especially in a setting where you're in such close contact with the kids). I've been feeling a bit crap about missing so much ( Read more... )

Career stuff is going pretty well. I had a 7-week contract back in August, at a school very close by, with a delightful Year 6 class. They liked me (even the cool boys!), I liked them. The deputy principal of the school gave me a shining reference, too. I had a great time on that contract - I looked forward to going to work. I organised myself so ( Read more... )

I think I need to start journalling again. I like LJ because of the threaded comments.

Should I do a life update y/n?

Originally posted on my Tumblr. Sam reposted it on his blog Public Polity.

The low salary of a primary school teacher is one factor causing me to rethink my involvement in the profession. I’ve been thinking about why teachers are paid so poorly.

Think about labour that has historically been classified as women’s work: Teaching (especially early years ( Read more... )

 Sam and I sometimes play guitar and flute together. For years we've giggled at the title of a medieval Scottish piece we play called "Whip my Toudie".

Now I've reached breaking point: I must know what a toudie actually is.

Google only found this article which may shed light:http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-870364_ITM
but the crucial ( Read more... )

I gave the Year 3s some evaluation questions. Here are the most interesting answers I received. In brackets, I added what the student said when I asked the questions verbally.

( Warning, contains moderate course language from a 7-year-old )

• Wearing long, snuggly pyjama pants for the first time since September.
• Watching Dexter with Sam and Luisa while eating rosemary chips, raspberry hearts and apple lollies.
• My new couch, comfy as a big supportive cloud.
• Overhearing my Year 7 boys discussing how I was the best teacher they'd had this year, then hearing them deny it and blame each other ( Read more... )

Thursday marked the end of a 3 week contract teaching Year 3. It was exhausting, rewarding, crazy, and I learned a lot. It was at a really great state school very close by, 30 minutes door to door when I took the bus. The principal is excellent and the staff friendly and generous - everything you could want in a school. They offered me another ( Read more... )