I worked the full day with the grade five class and I had a student teacher with me so I made him teach for most the day...until he flipped out at the children over minor chatting ekk. They were not the best class but I've had worse. A few of them remembered me from last year, not that it helped.
And the student teacher was so weird and serious and not chatty but I found out he is doing a grad-dip in Ed. so only studies for one year and does one ten week prac and that's it, then he's a teacher! And to do his one and only prac in a private school (and he lost his temper at something not so big), I wish him well teaching in state schools!
In the end I never applied for the librarian job but did apply for the inclusion job and had an interview but don't think it went that well. Two ladies interviewed me and one of them I worked with on a prac in a child care centre back in uni, I remembered her. There was about 7 pages of full on questions and took them a few mins just to get through asking/reading out the questions and I barely understood them. They kept asking me about childcare legislations etc. And what experiences I have had with QR and ELF (What the!?!) they explained what they were but I haven't been in a childcare centre since 2005 at uni. And they asked me a question about children "of a minority" so I started answering "...minority groups..." they stopped me and said they don't like to be called that (THEY JUST SAID IT). The very first question I had was to tell them about where/what I would like to see myself working in the future so I said I was passionate about children and the early years was where I really love being. They were concerned then because the job would be working with teacher/carers/parents not children (didn't read that way in the ad or on their website). And they wanted to know how I felt about driving up to 8 hours a day to visit places in all the area and sleeping over ect. Said I would find out in about 2 weeks but it'll probally just be a rejection call which after hearing about the actual job is okay but I'd rather they not bother calling lol
I also now only have 2 assignments and 33 days until I finish my Masters degree :)
Miss Snix.
Showing posts with label classroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label classroom. Show all posts
First Full Day of 2010
This is the second week of term 2 of the year and I have finally been booked to work my first full day of the year. I got a phone call about 8pm tonight from a private school principal asking me to work tomorrow, I agreed to it only to then find out it was with a grade 5 class. I taught the grade 4 kids at the school last year and really did not enjoy it one bit but since work has been non-existent this year I agreed to it. As soon as I hung up the phone though I have had this nervous, anxious feeling about it and my first thought was to call him make and say I'd change my mind. But as my mother and friend (who he called before me and she turned him down - says it all lol) keep telling me to just think about the pay, but private schools in Australia pay supply teachers greatly less than state schools do and I have had a lot of problem with this school not paying me in the past (had to spend a lot of time sorting it out so I did get paid). So I am just hoping the day goes really quickly, the kids have a lot of classes (music, library, pe etc.) away from me and most importantly they behave well for me!
On another note this week I have found two, non-teaching, jobs to apply for. The first is a three month contract working as a librarian in the public library. Personally I doubt I'll get the job but can't hurt to put in for it. The second is full time 'Inclusion Support Facilitator' with organisation called Noah's Ark, they are wanting an Early Childhood trained teacher to work with special needs children. I graduated as an Early Childhood teacher in 2006 and am 2 months away from graduating from a Master of Special Education. So this job is more up my ally.
So please wish me well for tomorrow (I need all the luck I can get) and with the job applications :)
Miss Snix.
On another note this week I have found two, non-teaching, jobs to apply for. The first is a three month contract working as a librarian in the public library. Personally I doubt I'll get the job but can't hurt to put in for it. The second is full time 'Inclusion Support Facilitator' with organisation called Noah's Ark, they are wanting an Early Childhood trained teacher to work with special needs children. I graduated as an Early Childhood teacher in 2006 and am 2 months away from graduating from a Master of Special Education. So this job is more up my ally.
So please wish me well for tomorrow (I need all the luck I can get) and with the job applications :)
Miss Snix.
Easter
Happy Easter! We are officially on Easter holidays here for ten days (until the 12th of April).
Not a whole lot has happened since I wrote my last blog. I worked about two weeks ago for three hours again. This time in a state school that I had previously taught at a few times on contract. The school requested me through the relief agency which was nice. I was in a grade 4/5 multiage class. A lot of the children remembered me from previous years which made things a little bit easier and I remembered a few of the more challenging characters so knew how to handle them straight off but overall they were a lovely class. We started off the day with some literacy, and all were so well behaved but then the teacher had planned for me to take them outside to play a game. This is where their lovely behaviour disappeared…they started yelling and acting very silly, requiring a few reminders about their behaviour. Thankfully after the game was their morning tea, and I got to do duty in the 6/7 area and again most the kids in this age group know me so had no troubles. I finished my duty 15mins before the bell to return to class rang and just as I finished and went inside it started raining so that was good timing! After the break I had them for another hour and they did some story writing about something that has happened to them in the past. Most did this with no trouble, others however tried being silly with it. One boy kept doing things eg. picked his ruler up and put it down again and wrote about it and every other movement he made because it was then past tense. Another tried to get a reaction out of me by saying the only thing in his past he could remember was his father trying to kill him (he was telling me with a cheeky smile on his face) so I told him to write that. I kept getting little silly questions and said that I wasn’t the one reading them, their teacher was and if they think he would be pleased than write it. The time with the class actually went by fairly quickly and overall was fairly pleasant, I’ve had a lot worse! Lol
I have just joined a very active teacher forum online where most of the people are from America and it’s very interesting reading their posts. They talk about job fairs and interview seasons which we just don’t have here in Australia! I have only ever had one interview in my four years teaching and that was for a private school last year. I have been getting a bit jealous reading about all the available jobs there are over there and the different opportunities that are available. One day my time will come though…one day…I can hope at least! Although with term one already over and I’ve only had six hours of supply it’s not looking good :(
On a positive…I only have 69 more days and I will have finished my Master of Education (Special Education)! Again I am hoping desperately that this will help with my chances of finding a job but I’ve learnt not to hold my breath.
Miss Snix.
Not a whole lot has happened since I wrote my last blog. I worked about two weeks ago for three hours again. This time in a state school that I had previously taught at a few times on contract. The school requested me through the relief agency which was nice. I was in a grade 4/5 multiage class. A lot of the children remembered me from previous years which made things a little bit easier and I remembered a few of the more challenging characters so knew how to handle them straight off but overall they were a lovely class. We started off the day with some literacy, and all were so well behaved but then the teacher had planned for me to take them outside to play a game. This is where their lovely behaviour disappeared…they started yelling and acting very silly, requiring a few reminders about their behaviour. Thankfully after the game was their morning tea, and I got to do duty in the 6/7 area and again most the kids in this age group know me so had no troubles. I finished my duty 15mins before the bell to return to class rang and just as I finished and went inside it started raining so that was good timing! After the break I had them for another hour and they did some story writing about something that has happened to them in the past. Most did this with no trouble, others however tried being silly with it. One boy kept doing things eg. picked his ruler up and put it down again and wrote about it and every other movement he made because it was then past tense. Another tried to get a reaction out of me by saying the only thing in his past he could remember was his father trying to kill him (he was telling me with a cheeky smile on his face) so I told him to write that. I kept getting little silly questions and said that I wasn’t the one reading them, their teacher was and if they think he would be pleased than write it. The time with the class actually went by fairly quickly and overall was fairly pleasant, I’ve had a lot worse! Lol
I have just joined a very active teacher forum online where most of the people are from America and it’s very interesting reading their posts. They talk about job fairs and interview seasons which we just don’t have here in Australia! I have only ever had one interview in my four years teaching and that was for a private school last year. I have been getting a bit jealous reading about all the available jobs there are over there and the different opportunities that are available. One day my time will come though…one day…I can hope at least! Although with term one already over and I’ve only had six hours of supply it’s not looking good :(
On a positive…I only have 69 more days and I will have finished my Master of Education (Special Education)! Again I am hoping desperately that this will help with my chances of finding a job but I’ve learnt not to hold my breath.
Miss Snix.
First Day of 2010
Had my first teaching day last Wednesday, was only for three hours while the teacher went to training but a job is still a job. I got to have the prep class. This is the age group I love teaching the most so was happy with that. I also had a teacher aide with me for the first hour and a half which was helpful. Most of the children were very well behaved except for a couple who thought they’d push their luck and not do as I asked. But it is also the start of the year and they are just getting used to being in a school environment, some may not have been to childcare before I don’t know, so it is understandable they weren’t as settled as they will be latter in the year when they are used to school. And I guess I am the first relief teacher they had for the year so all new for them. Anyway, it was nice. Haven’t had any work since but neither have my other relief teacher friends (actually they haven’t had any work, so I am a little lucky there) but I assume (hope!) it will start to pick up soon.
Miss Snix.
Miss Snix.
Job Hunting
Tomorrow is my first day back doing supply work for the year. Am only booked to work three hours though. And not sure what year level other than it’s in the junior school. Hope it stays that way and they don’t change their minds and give me an upper grade. Looking forward to making some (very little though) money again, too many bills over the holidays with no income has not been fun. Although not really looking forward to going back to work as a relief teacher. This is my forth year and in all honesty I am starting to hate it. I have contacted the district offices and sent my resumes to every school in the area but have had no luck. I want to have my own class and be considered a ‘real’ teacher not just a glorified babysitter who spends most my day dealing with unruly attitudes and not getting to actually do much real teaching because I am not the ‘normal’ teacher. Unfortunately these two articles sum up my position perfectly: http://www.theteachersareblowingtheirwhistles.com/thecontractwork.htm and http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26638206-3102,00.html
On a positive note though I only have two more classes to complete and my Master degree will be all finished! On the 11th of July I will be submitting my last ever assignment…not that I’m counting down lol But even with someone studying their Master degree you would think that is someone schools would want to hire. Clearly not. I can only hope that once I finish the Masters it’ll give be a better chance at getting a full time job. Sadly I doubt it will.
Miss Snix.
On a positive note though I only have two more classes to complete and my Master degree will be all finished! On the 11th of July I will be submitting my last ever assignment…not that I’m counting down lol But even with someone studying their Master degree you would think that is someone schools would want to hire. Clearly not. I can only hope that once I finish the Masters it’ll give be a better chance at getting a full time job. Sadly I doubt it will.
Miss Snix.
Update from Last Post
After sending emails to both my union rep and the head of the teaching department in my area I finally got an email back in regards to the letter I was sent, however I was not given any explanation as to why I got the letter or why I was being deactivated. So I sent an email straight back using the email given to me asking once again for an explanation but as yet have no reply. I find the whole thing very odd. I have friends who graduated at the same time as me who do supply work while still looking for permanent work (the exact same situation as me!) but have not been sent this letter! So why me???
New Update! (day after previous bit was typed)
Got a phone call this morning from a man at the office who called to double check that my 'issue' had been sorted out. Well no it hadn't since no explanation was given as to why this was all happening! He explained to me that every teacher gets sent this letter every year in November. But firstly, I have never been sent the letter and secondly as you can all clearly see on the last post the letter was only sent in January! He response everytime I disputed his explanations was "ohh that's odd" I even told him about my friend who is in the same situation not getting the letter "ohh that's odd" AHHH After going around and around in circles with him I realised it was no good. I am 'activated' until December this year at least and he claims I should get another letter sent to me at the end of the year like I have always had...even though I never have before! The whole matter is just way too stressful and quite frankly way too stupid. Hopefully for now at least the matter is resolved. I hope!
Miss Snix.
Letter from Teaching Department
I got the following letter in the mail last week from the state teaching department. And was very confused by it. I have been teaching since 2007 and the whole time have been looking for work. I graduated with the highest possible rating a teacher could get but the department keeps telling me I need to wait on their list for a job to come up and now I get this letter! I have my teacher registration paid and up-to-date, I regularly send out my resume and I call the different reginal officers all over the state making sure my name continues to be out there so they know I want a job so I do not understand this letter one bit! As soon as I got this letter I wrote a letter requesting to be reactivated (never even knew I could be deactivated!) and giving all the information the letter asks for, I also added that I would like to be contacted when the reactivation takes place but so far I have not heard anything! Really do not want to have to make an appointment to go see them, last time I contacted them the reginal manager was very rude to me but with school starting in two weeks time I may just have to. This just really makes me mad!
Studying and (rarely) Working!
Yet again it has been a long time since I blogged. I didn’t mean to leave it this long, I felt like blogging before, but have been either too busy or too tired to actually write anything. Anyway I worked the contract I talked about in my last post.
They were a lovely class of grade two. There were a couple of little challenging children but nothing compared to some of the children I have come across in the past. Looking back on it now it was one of the better contracts I have taught, even when returning from playground duty one day I found the classroom door locked with two of my children locked inside running around. Not that they learnt from the consequence they were given as they repeated this the very next week. But even the little challenging ones were absolutely lovely to chat with on a one to one basis. The contract was only meant to be for the last two weeks of term three but the teacher I was replacing was unable to return directly after the holidays so I was offered to continue the contract for the two and a half weeks after the holidays. I was unable to take the class for the first week back as I was busy finishing off uni assignments, they all like to be due at the same time! But I took the class again after that. The teacher I was replacing didn’t leave any set planning only boxes of photocopy work and text books that I was meant to teach however and whenever I like and coming back after another teacher (three different teacher had them the week I couldn’t be there) so I had no clue what they had and hadn’t been taught. So when I managed to work all through the box I thought I had done fairly well. Only to have the teacher I am replacing come in towards the end and ask me to collect a range of booklets from the children for her to mark and use as part of their final reports she wanted to write before she returned. After collecting all the booklets there was apparently one set I hadn’t collected because they weren’t there. I can’t collect something that wasn’t there! She didn’t seem overly happy that the work in the booklet had not been taught, but again it was never left for me and if it was so important you would think she would make a point of pointing it out or leaving some form of planning for it for me to teach rather than a box of resources for me to use as I please.
I was also left to run a ‘play day’ where children had to get a bunch of sporting equipment out, set it up and then play different games in front of their parents that had come for the day to watch. I wasn’t really left any instructions on what I was meant to do, rather the class had to tell me. While in theory they all had their ‘jobs’ to do in reality this didn’t really pan out and left one very stressed out Miss Snix trying to do it all while keeping things on track, while stopping unhappy children having tantrums, while also trying to save face in front of parents. Ahh fun times, not.
While I was there, there was also a ball games day for the whole school which each grade had to play two different ball games. Myself along with the other regular grade two class teacher the week before had to teach the games to the kids and run through it several time which was fine. But on the day the other teacher was away and the relief teacher didn’t know what to do so when it came time for the grade twos to play their games I had to run around like a headless chook trying to set it up, organise children and save face this time in front of the whole school. Again fun times hahaha
I wasn’t able to finish off the last half week of the contract because I became very ill but all in all I really enjoyed my time with them. That was back in October and unfortunately was the last time I worked this year. I took a couple of weeks off to finish off uni assignments. Was studying four master level classes at once which was very stressful but thankfully passed all classes with flying colours and am now half was through my Masters!
And now it is holiday time and while most teachers are enjoying their break, I am enrolled in two more uni classes. I wanted to enrol in four classes so I could finish my Masters at the end of this semester but wasn’t able to do that. I am not enjoying studying during the Christmas holidays, normally I love Christmas but this year have been so busy and stressed out with assignments I have barely had time to enjoy it at all. But hopefully will be able to finish my first two assignments within the next couple of days so I can at least have one week before Christmas to enjoy it! Also I have a friend I have not seen in three years coming to staying with me for about three weeks so I want to be free to spend time and have fun with!
The bad thing about not working that much in the past year (had a letter from the union about fees and for the first time I had to tick the box that said “worked less than 50 days this year” so my fees are reduced) is the lack of money that comes with it. While I get payments from the government because I am studying again it really is not much, especially when each fortnight straight after I get paid more than half the money goes out to make payments on my car (that I bought when I was working full time and thought I would continue to be doing!) not to mention other bills that keep popping up in the end I am paying out more money each fortnight than I have coming in. Which has lead me to look for work in other fields away from education. But so far I have had no luck, I never thought it would be so hard to get any paying job! I have a bachelors degree, a post-grad certificate and am half way through my masters and yet can not find a job. It just sucks.
Anyway, until I remember to blog again hahaha Have a Happy Holidays everyone!
Miss Snix.
They were a lovely class of grade two. There were a couple of little challenging children but nothing compared to some of the children I have come across in the past. Looking back on it now it was one of the better contracts I have taught, even when returning from playground duty one day I found the classroom door locked with two of my children locked inside running around. Not that they learnt from the consequence they were given as they repeated this the very next week. But even the little challenging ones were absolutely lovely to chat with on a one to one basis. The contract was only meant to be for the last two weeks of term three but the teacher I was replacing was unable to return directly after the holidays so I was offered to continue the contract for the two and a half weeks after the holidays. I was unable to take the class for the first week back as I was busy finishing off uni assignments, they all like to be due at the same time! But I took the class again after that. The teacher I was replacing didn’t leave any set planning only boxes of photocopy work and text books that I was meant to teach however and whenever I like and coming back after another teacher (three different teacher had them the week I couldn’t be there) so I had no clue what they had and hadn’t been taught. So when I managed to work all through the box I thought I had done fairly well. Only to have the teacher I am replacing come in towards the end and ask me to collect a range of booklets from the children for her to mark and use as part of their final reports she wanted to write before she returned. After collecting all the booklets there was apparently one set I hadn’t collected because they weren’t there. I can’t collect something that wasn’t there! She didn’t seem overly happy that the work in the booklet had not been taught, but again it was never left for me and if it was so important you would think she would make a point of pointing it out or leaving some form of planning for it for me to teach rather than a box of resources for me to use as I please.
I was also left to run a ‘play day’ where children had to get a bunch of sporting equipment out, set it up and then play different games in front of their parents that had come for the day to watch. I wasn’t really left any instructions on what I was meant to do, rather the class had to tell me. While in theory they all had their ‘jobs’ to do in reality this didn’t really pan out and left one very stressed out Miss Snix trying to do it all while keeping things on track, while stopping unhappy children having tantrums, while also trying to save face in front of parents. Ahh fun times, not.
While I was there, there was also a ball games day for the whole school which each grade had to play two different ball games. Myself along with the other regular grade two class teacher the week before had to teach the games to the kids and run through it several time which was fine. But on the day the other teacher was away and the relief teacher didn’t know what to do so when it came time for the grade twos to play their games I had to run around like a headless chook trying to set it up, organise children and save face this time in front of the whole school. Again fun times hahaha
I wasn’t able to finish off the last half week of the contract because I became very ill but all in all I really enjoyed my time with them. That was back in October and unfortunately was the last time I worked this year. I took a couple of weeks off to finish off uni assignments. Was studying four master level classes at once which was very stressful but thankfully passed all classes with flying colours and am now half was through my Masters!
And now it is holiday time and while most teachers are enjoying their break, I am enrolled in two more uni classes. I wanted to enrol in four classes so I could finish my Masters at the end of this semester but wasn’t able to do that. I am not enjoying studying during the Christmas holidays, normally I love Christmas but this year have been so busy and stressed out with assignments I have barely had time to enjoy it at all. But hopefully will be able to finish my first two assignments within the next couple of days so I can at least have one week before Christmas to enjoy it! Also I have a friend I have not seen in three years coming to staying with me for about three weeks so I want to be free to spend time and have fun with!
The bad thing about not working that much in the past year (had a letter from the union about fees and for the first time I had to tick the box that said “worked less than 50 days this year” so my fees are reduced) is the lack of money that comes with it. While I get payments from the government because I am studying again it really is not much, especially when each fortnight straight after I get paid more than half the money goes out to make payments on my car (that I bought when I was working full time and thought I would continue to be doing!) not to mention other bills that keep popping up in the end I am paying out more money each fortnight than I have coming in. Which has lead me to look for work in other fields away from education. But so far I have had no luck, I never thought it would be so hard to get any paying job! I have a bachelors degree, a post-grad certificate and am half way through my masters and yet can not find a job. It just sucks.
Anyway, until I remember to blog again hahaha Have a Happy Holidays everyone!
Miss Snix.
Update Time!
Wow it’s been a long time since I last wrote a blog entry! Didn’t mean to leave such a big gap between blogs but anyway, will see if I can remember everything that has happened since my last post.
To start with I didn’t get any work during the teachers strike. Most schools didn’t hire relief teachers because they had very little children show up and the ones that did (from what I’ve heard) had their parents called to collect them otherwise they were supervised by teacher aides. There was also meant to be another state wide strike happening but that was stopped because apparently the union didn’t officially give the education department enough time to respond, there still may be another strike though. Teachers in this state are the lowest paid in the country so it’s understandable they want to be treated fairly but I can’t help but think they are lucky to at least have jobs to go to each day! I haven’t worked since April!!!
Cartoon appeared in local paper 19 May 2009, when teachers striked.
I had my first paid job two weeks ago in a grade one class that I have taught before and taught most the children last year when they were in prep. It’s a lovely class and I really enjoyed the day. Nothing too dramatic happened, had one little boy who was new to the school try to test me but he didn’t get far! He did however manage to annoy the music and a specialist teacher.
Have been very sick lately, for over a month now! It started out with a cough coming and going and then my body felt like it just shut down. Went to the doctor and got some antibiotics for the cough but two days later I couldn’t move because I was too dizzy, so back to the doctors I went. He sent me for a blood test and a chest and lung x-rays and I will get the results back tomorrow . . . and am just so sick of being sick! Have tried everything to get rid of it and nothing has worked!
Also I have officially finished and graduated from my business degree :-) Yay! Don’t know what I’m going to do with it but it’s there if I ever need it. Going back to uni three years after originally finishing made me realise how much I hate it and I vowed to never return again!!! But. . . I have since signed up and am now studying for my Masters of Education, majoring in Special Education! haha I figure I already have a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) majoring in Primary Education so now I will have more areas covered :-) And hopefully have a better shot at landing a full time job! Since I’m not working much I figured I may as well study full time (am doing it externally) so I have four classes at the moment and then will do four over the Christmas break I will have it all finished by February 2010 :-) Well that’s the plan anyway!!!
Ohh! And a little update of trying to get in contact with the new lady at the education department in my local area. . . finally she called me! Early one morning when my booking agency normally calls and she was very rude about the whole thing telling me there is nothing she can do (never mind the fact that it’s her actual job!?) in helping me and that my name is on a list (well duhh I already knew that! Not that this special little list has helped me!!!). I was actually very disappointed in myself after getting off the phone because I didn’t feel I argued my point better to her because my mind was on the fact that I could be losing work while talking to her.
Until next time (hopefully sooner than later),
Miss Snix!
To start with I didn’t get any work during the teachers strike. Most schools didn’t hire relief teachers because they had very little children show up and the ones that did (from what I’ve heard) had their parents called to collect them otherwise they were supervised by teacher aides. There was also meant to be another state wide strike happening but that was stopped because apparently the union didn’t officially give the education department enough time to respond, there still may be another strike though. Teachers in this state are the lowest paid in the country so it’s understandable they want to be treated fairly but I can’t help but think they are lucky to at least have jobs to go to each day! I haven’t worked since April!!!
Cartoon appeared in local paper 19 May 2009, when teachers striked.I had my first paid job two weeks ago in a grade one class that I have taught before and taught most the children last year when they were in prep. It’s a lovely class and I really enjoyed the day. Nothing too dramatic happened, had one little boy who was new to the school try to test me but he didn’t get far! He did however manage to annoy the music and a specialist teacher.
Have been very sick lately, for over a month now! It started out with a cough coming and going and then my body felt like it just shut down. Went to the doctor and got some antibiotics for the cough but two days later I couldn’t move because I was too dizzy, so back to the doctors I went. He sent me for a blood test and a chest and lung x-rays and I will get the results back tomorrow . . . and am just so sick of being sick! Have tried everything to get rid of it and nothing has worked!
Also I have officially finished and graduated from my business degree :-) Yay! Don’t know what I’m going to do with it but it’s there if I ever need it. Going back to uni three years after originally finishing made me realise how much I hate it and I vowed to never return again!!! But. . . I have since signed up and am now studying for my Masters of Education, majoring in Special Education! haha I figure I already have a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) majoring in Primary Education so now I will have more areas covered :-) And hopefully have a better shot at landing a full time job! Since I’m not working much I figured I may as well study full time (am doing it externally) so I have four classes at the moment and then will do four over the Christmas break I will have it all finished by February 2010 :-) Well that’s the plan anyway!!!
Ohh! And a little update of trying to get in contact with the new lady at the education department in my local area. . . finally she called me! Early one morning when my booking agency normally calls and she was very rude about the whole thing telling me there is nothing she can do (never mind the fact that it’s her actual job!?) in helping me and that my name is on a list (well duhh I already knew that! Not that this special little list has helped me!!!). I was actually very disappointed in myself after getting off the phone because I didn’t feel I argued my point better to her because my mind was on the fact that I could be losing work while talking to her.
Until next time (hopefully sooner than later),
Miss Snix!
Rare Work and Strike!
Have been a bit slack with updating my blog lately, mainly because nothing has really been happening. I didn’t work last week but the week before that I did two days in the same grade three class. They were a fairly nice class, had a few little challengers but nothing too bad. I had a different mother each morning in the room to help which was nice. My first day I walked into the room and found a very neat teachers desk with absolutely no planning on it! I asked the other grade three teacher who came in and looked around with me, we asked another teacher who didn’t know anything about it and then rang the office who couldn’t help. Eventually (just as the bell rang) the teacher who I was replacing partner came in and gave me the two days plans. Was happy to have it but by this time the bell had gone and all the children are sitting there looking at me while I am quickly trying to read and decode the planning and figure out what needs to be done and where things are. The second day I thought I might have a little free time because the children had PE, Music and Dance lessons and since I have taught at the school and had children go to other lessons and been allowed to have the free time I assumed that was going to be the case, it wasn’t! First I was sent to the library to cover books, something I have never done before and took me half an hour just to do three but I kind of enjoyed the peace. Then I was sent to another grade three class (that I have taught before, were so much better behaved this time!) to watch them read and then I read a book to them. And then after that was sent (felt like I was the parcel in a game of ‘pass the teacher’) to another grade three class where I watched them do a find-a-word, I started doing it myself but those 7/8 year olds are quick at them and beat me to finishing! So then I did good old show and tell with them and the bell rang and so ended my time there.
Just heard on the news today that next Tuesday state teachers are striking because they want better pay! Try being a supply teacher who if she is lucky gets two days work a fortnight and then complain about lack of pay!!! I don’t even get the choice to strike and have my voice heard – I strike I don’t get paid; they strike and still get paid! I am a union member, I am a fully qualified teacher but it feels like I don’t have any rights because the education department won’t/hasn’t given me permanency or a full time job! I am merely an ‘on call casual’ to them, hardly seems fair! But anyway since they are striking I am going to guess that I will get work that day to cover for them. Will be interesting to see what (if anything) happens from it all.
Miss Snix.
Just heard on the news today that next Tuesday state teachers are striking because they want better pay! Try being a supply teacher who if she is lucky gets two days work a fortnight and then complain about lack of pay!!! I don’t even get the choice to strike and have my voice heard – I strike I don’t get paid; they strike and still get paid! I am a union member, I am a fully qualified teacher but it feels like I don’t have any rights because the education department won’t/hasn’t given me permanency or a full time job! I am merely an ‘on call casual’ to them, hardly seems fair! But anyway since they are striking I am going to guess that I will get work that day to cover for them. Will be interesting to see what (if anything) happens from it all.
Miss Snix.
Union and Dream Classroom!
Well we are now into Term 2 of the school year and one week down and no work yet, not overly worried as it has given me time to work on my uni assignments. But hope it does pick up soon, I seem to have more bills than payslips which is never good. Also the union guy that responded to my email I wrote last term has sent me a form to fill out to look for permanent work. Didn't know I had to keep filling forms out to look for it, I naturally assumed I would still be on the list of teachers looking for it until I was offered somewhere. . .guess I was wrong. And it's a little odd that I have to fill the form out with the union and not the department of education. The union is not compulsory, so how do people get on that aren't with it!? I still haen't heard from the department so I am happy at least I am with the union to look out for me!
Been looking at online blogs of other teachers, love seeing what others are doing in their classrooms and gives me great ideas for when (or should I say if!) I ever get my own. Anyway, I came across this one which looks like a dream classroom:
http://blogs.scholastic.com/3_5/2008/08/tour-angelas-4t.html
Until next time,
Miss Snix.
Been looking at online blogs of other teachers, love seeing what others are doing in their classrooms and gives me great ideas for when (or should I say if!) I ever get my own. Anyway, I came across this one which looks like a dream classroom:
http://blogs.scholastic.com/3_5/2008/08/tour-angelas-4t.html
Until next time,
Miss Snix.
