I am on holidays!!! lol just a little bit happy about that! I had a great day today, well the whole week was good, but today was really nice. I only had 14 (turned into 13 when one was picked up half way through the day) out of the normally 25 children attend, so it was a nice small group. The teacher next to me offered to give me some some of hers to even the numbers out lol no thanks! Unfortunately two children with 'big personalities' (it's my nice way of saying disruptive lol) were there and tried to make their presence noticed but that didn't matter because the rest of the children were so lovely. I thought being the last day they would be very worked up but they weren't. We did a big clear up today, wiped everything over and sent things home. One parent made a joke about getting things (made in 'box construction' area that really only the child can tell what it is) sent home everyday lol well it is their special little treasures. The aide that was filling in for the regular one did a great job cleaning out all the block and paint area and helping with everything, she was so nice and friendly. I felt bad because I never got a chance to say thank you or goodbye because I had to rush my kids off to the library while she was still watching over another class at the end of lunch waiting for their teacher to collect them and when we got back she had finished for the day. But she told me where she normally works in the school so I might go see her first week back to say thanks for everything.
Anyway so happy I am on holidays even though I know it will fly by, always the way isn't it!? lol
Miss Snix
So Tired!
My self imposed strike has come to an end. I am back working; full time! Quite impressed with myself lol So far I have worked three days in a row and am absolutely exhausted! I am on contract at the moment teaching prep. Basically I have 25 five year olds keeping me on my toes all day. But its okay, they are a nice bunch. There are only a couple with behaviour problems and compared to some children's behaviour I have dealt with in the past this is a breeze. The kids were a bit worked up today, their normal aid is away at training so there was a new one in that I had to explain things to (even though I don't really know where anything is myself), it was also free dress day which got them all excitable, and it is very close to the holidays. I can't wait for the holidays!!! Two weeks to just relax (of course I am ignoring the fact that I recently decided to have a gap of ten days between jobs) And the best bit is I do get paid for the holidays as part of my contract! When I got to the school on Monday the register took me into her office and filled out the paperwork for me, most schools give it to you and make you fill out all your details but this is a nice friendly school who did it for me (apparently they can look it all up on the system but other schools are obviously just to lazy to do it) and all I had to do was sign it, while she was filling it out I noticed the dates she put down covered the holidays so I asked and was assured it did cover them. Yay!
The prep class next to mine has a 15 year old work experience girl in it at the moment, quite interesting talking to her. She says when she finishes school she is going to become a prep teacher, nothing else, just a prep teacher. Bless her little heart thinking it is that easy. I remember when I started uni I wanted to be a preschool teacher (back in the day before prep replaced it), it wasn't until the last semester in my second last year of uni that I realised I didn't mind teaching primary years (coincidentaly it was the first time the uni let us have experience with primary classes), it was a good thing I did since most my work is in the primary years. I even get a lot of work in the upper years which I am qualified to teach but personally don't think I am well trained in, ohh well. But it would be nice to say I am going to be teach a specific grade and actually land a job straight away doing that lol In an ideal world maybe but I didn't say anything to her, didn't want to crush her enthusiastic blind dream. Good luck to her lol
I got a letter this week from the department of Education informing me that they are changing the rating system of new teachers. When I graduated I was given a rating of 'S1 outstanding' which meant I was first in line for permanent jobs (two years later, still not permanent hmm). . .excuse me for a moment while I finish laughing my head off. Anywho they have changed all the ratings and there is no more S ratings (not really sure what the S stood for anyway). Instead my 'S1 outstanding' rating has been replaced by 'High Performing Applicant' Sounds good doesn't it? Except I was fairly chuffed being outstanding now I am merely high performing, it is still the highest one but isn't as impressive to me. Ohh well it's not like it has helped my employment situation anyway, and there has been several more rounds of graduates come out after me all fighting for a job as well. The rating system clearly doesn't mean much since it can't guarantee jobs even to the states so called top teachers so why do they even bother rating teachings. I have a friend who only got a S2 rating and yet she gets the same amount of relief work as I do. Pointless if you ask me. Anyway I should be getting some sleep soon, two more days until holidays. Did I mention how much I am looking forward to holidays!?!
Catch you later,
Miss Snix.
The prep class next to mine has a 15 year old work experience girl in it at the moment, quite interesting talking to her. She says when she finishes school she is going to become a prep teacher, nothing else, just a prep teacher. Bless her little heart thinking it is that easy. I remember when I started uni I wanted to be a preschool teacher (back in the day before prep replaced it), it wasn't until the last semester in my second last year of uni that I realised I didn't mind teaching primary years (coincidentaly it was the first time the uni let us have experience with primary classes), it was a good thing I did since most my work is in the primary years. I even get a lot of work in the upper years which I am qualified to teach but personally don't think I am well trained in, ohh well. But it would be nice to say I am going to be teach a specific grade and actually land a job straight away doing that lol In an ideal world maybe but I didn't say anything to her, didn't want to crush her enthusiastic blind dream. Good luck to her lol
I got a letter this week from the department of Education informing me that they are changing the rating system of new teachers. When I graduated I was given a rating of 'S1 outstanding' which meant I was first in line for permanent jobs (two years later, still not permanent hmm). . .excuse me for a moment while I finish laughing my head off. Anywho they have changed all the ratings and there is no more S ratings (not really sure what the S stood for anyway). Instead my 'S1 outstanding' rating has been replaced by 'High Performing Applicant' Sounds good doesn't it? Except I was fairly chuffed being outstanding now I am merely high performing, it is still the highest one but isn't as impressive to me. Ohh well it's not like it has helped my employment situation anyway, and there has been several more rounds of graduates come out after me all fighting for a job as well. The rating system clearly doesn't mean much since it can't guarantee jobs even to the states so called top teachers so why do they even bother rating teachings. I have a friend who only got a S2 rating and yet she gets the same amount of relief work as I do. Pointless if you ask me. Anyway I should be getting some sleep soon, two more days until holidays. Did I mention how much I am looking forward to holidays!?!
Catch you later,
Miss Snix.
On Strike
So this week I have decided I am on strike. I don't know exactly what I am striking but I have just decided I am not working. And it feels so good. I didn't set out not to work this week, it kind of just turned out that way. A couple of weeks ago I told the company that organises relief work that I was taking this Thursday and Friday off. I took Thursday off because I had to take my dog to the vet and Friday because I am going to spend the whole weekend away from home and needed time to get ready for it. And then this past weekend I unexpectedly spent very little time at home instead was very busy so decided to take Monday off to rest from it. I did some shopping and the day went very quickly . . . so I decided to take Tuesday off to spend some time at home. I did that and then had full intention to work Wednesday but decided why bother spoiling a nice relaxing week. So that is how I come to have the week off. I am not overly concerned about it because I start my contract next week which spans over the two week holidays so I get paid for the weeks I work and the holiday weeks in between. And at least I will be nice and relaxed going into my contract job. The past few weeks have not been the greatest for me, professionally and personally. I have had to deal with a lot in my personal life that has not put me in the best mood for work. So my self indulged lazy week has been great for rejuvenating myself.
I got my pay check this week, the wonderful people who pay me made two somewhat big mistakes. First they double paid me one of my supply days (awesome money!) unfortunatly they realised this and called this morning and said it would be taken off my next pay check (hmm damn). They also paid me for two contracts (I only had one so basically they double paid me for it), contract money sucks (I have bitched about it a bit on here lol) but doubling it also makes it the same as supply money. So far they have not realised their mistake with this one and I am not rushing to tell them. After all it was a contract I never wanted to sign and it was also when I had to deal with a certain not so friendly parent so in my eyes I have more than earned the money lol It's like what one teacher once told me "you need to look after yourself in this business because no-one else will" which is so true! The respect level relief teachers (even those on short contracts) is very low I find in schools because we are not 'regular' teachers. Well we would be if the education department would find us 'regular' jobs and not have us rely on being relief teachers because it is all we can do to be paid in the profession we want to work in. So since they are not overly keen on helping us why should we (I) tell them when they make such stupid (on their behalf) mistakes that benefit me. Ohh ranting . . . lol
Anyway, take care all!
Miss Snix.
I got my pay check this week, the wonderful people who pay me made two somewhat big mistakes. First they double paid me one of my supply days (awesome money!) unfortunatly they realised this and called this morning and said it would be taken off my next pay check (hmm damn). They also paid me for two contracts (I only had one so basically they double paid me for it), contract money sucks (I have bitched about it a bit on here lol) but doubling it also makes it the same as supply money. So far they have not realised their mistake with this one and I am not rushing to tell them. After all it was a contract I never wanted to sign and it was also when I had to deal with a certain not so friendly parent so in my eyes I have more than earned the money lol It's like what one teacher once told me "you need to look after yourself in this business because no-one else will" which is so true! The respect level relief teachers (even those on short contracts) is very low I find in schools because we are not 'regular' teachers. Well we would be if the education department would find us 'regular' jobs and not have us rely on being relief teachers because it is all we can do to be paid in the profession we want to work in. So since they are not overly keen on helping us why should we (I) tell them when they make such stupid (on their behalf) mistakes that benefit me. Ohh ranting . . . lol
Anyway, take care all!
Miss Snix.
Verbally Attacked!
Today I had a grade one class and this morning I just walked into the classroom door when a parent came up behind virtually yelling at me that she didn't want me taking her daughters class because I was very mean and nasty to the class (I had them three days last week and her daughter was very well behaved, but they did have a different teacher the day before, so I probably taking the flack for them!) she went on about her not liking me screaming at the kids, I interrupted her and 'politely' told her I have never screamed at a child as I think that is unprofessional and personally I wouldn't do it. She responded "Well. . . maybe you haven't but I have seen another supply teacher do it and I know you lot are all the same" She went on and on about how her child hates me and didn't want to go to school today (the kids didn't even know I was taking them today though). She finished off by saying "I have already spoken to all the other parents outside about you so now I am telling you to your face!" I finally got rid of her and later in the day spoke to her daughter, who is lovely and kept telling me knock knock jokes all day (clearly hating me - not lol) and found out she is being bullied by some girls in the class (but do you think the mother would want to hear that? No! Heaven forbid that is the reason she doesn't want to go to school. No, it's the teacher who hasn't had them all weeks fault!) I told the two SEU teachers who came in to help me today and they were appalled and said they would speak to the normal teacher next time she is there. They also came back before the bell in the afternoon to 'guard the door' for me lol I knew the parents at the school were bad (yesterday at lunch the ones and two teachers who I have lunch with were saying how rude they were) but I never imagined I would be verbally attacked by one over something I never did. It is so stupid but it has really upset me. I was meant to be working there tomorrow but made up a lie about having a dental appointment, The principal wasn't impressed saying I was on contract and I couldn't break it (my contract finished yesterday and I already took the Monday off anyway). Aghh! I am over it. I am going to have a nice LONG weekend and hopefully have a nice, pyhco-parent-free time next week.
