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.
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
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!
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.
Half a Day Never Felt So Long!
Today I had a grade four class for half the day. The first hour was okay, they rotated around maths games and I just had to supervise, they were all fairly well behaved and I didn’t really have to do much. Then at lunch I got to do duty (don’t I always!? lol) with the grade 6 and 7’s.
After lunch I took the class to watch the younger grades run their cross country. All they had to do was sit and cheer while the little children ran past, that’s it! Of course they rolled around, mucked around were just played up! I couldn’t take them back to the room either because we were surrounded by parents and other classes and were stuck on the wrong side of the running track. One of my girls even ran off into some bushes to ‘help the little ones run’, she never asked me and when I sent responsible girls to get her (several times) she told them she wasn’t coming back and didn’t care. I had to send a note to the office to get help and as we were finally going back to the room the deputy principal came down to look for her. Meanwhile back at the room I put a dvd on for the last 20mins and they sat there quietly watching it. . . why couldn’t we have just done that all afternoon!? The runaway also quietly snuck back into the classroom and the deputy came looking for her.
I only worked for three hours today but it was the longest three hours I have had in a long time! Thankfully there are only two more days until the holidays!
I also wrote an email tonight about my frustrations over still being a supply teacher after 3 years while I am seeing new graduates get permanent positions and full time contracts and how hard it is to survive on the lack of pay due to lack of work. I sent it to the head of my districts union and the state district officer, I doubt it’ll do much but I felt I needed to get my frustrations out. I know I am not the only one feeling this way, there are so many other teachers in my position. Anyway, will wait and see if I get a response. Miss Snix.
Split days!
Last week I worked with four classes in two days at one school. Sounds fun doesn’t it! I could have worked an extra day but when they pre-booked me I turned down the year 6 and 7 classes. It was a little weird actually, the agency that books my work has been told I only work to grade 3 so why they were offering me grade 4, 6 and 7 are beyond me! I did accept to take the year 4 class though because it will only be half a day tomorrow and I figured it’s still early in the year they would still be young.
The first day I started with grade one, many of whom I had taught last year. Faces I remembered, names I didn’t! They weren’t too bad I guess, a little chatty but they did their work not that the teacher I was replacing left much so I had to drag things out a bit to fit the time. Half way through my day I went to the grade threes. The majority of them were well behaved too, except for a few that thought they would try and act silly and get out of work, that didn’t work too well. I had one girl that wouldn’t do any work, wondered around the room taking other peoples things and bugging me to go to the toilet. I eventually let her go (she just wanted to get out of work!) so while she was gone I called the office, packed her stuff up and handed it to a well behaved student who stood by the door. So when she walked in one door I instantly sent her out the other, and she didn’t have time to throw a tantrum! This class were also very chatty and noisy!
Two days later I was back at the school and started with grade two. They had parade first up which was nice; I just had to walk them there, sit down and watch the parade for about half an hour. After this we went back to the room to do work, and they were yet another chatty class! Aghh am I attracting them this year!? haha I also had a couple of grade three children in the room who weren’t allowed to go on their excursion – they were so annoying! They wouldn’t do their work and kept annoying the grade two students. I also had one annoying grade two child though who kept calling out the answers during their spelling and math tests. I spoke with their teacher during lunch and she thought it was funny that they are a chatty class hmm I personally don’t find it funny but then again I like it when children actually listen to me, but each to their own! Half way through my day I was so glad to be leaving and I got to go to the preps! I love the preps!!! I had a month contract last year teaching prep at the school and had done relief work in all the other prep classes so I know all the teachers and aids. But the one I replaced was new and treated me like I knew nothing about preps which was annoying! Anyway it was the first time I had taught preps at this school this year and they are a lovely bunch! I had fun building box dinosaurs with them and then taking them outside to play. We even mixed with the prep class next door to watch a video and they were just as nice!
As I said before tomorrow I am working half a day with year four, I think (hope I’m wrong though!) they will be chatty like the other primary classes I had last week (how can they be so lovely in prep and then change once they move up!?) This is also the last week of term one (I have had a very slow start to the year!) and hen we have a week of holidays for Easter. Looking forward to the holidays! Am going on another mini-roadtrip!
Take care all,
Miss Snix!
Busy Week of Nothingness
So this week I have been busy but not with work. I actually haven't worked since my last post. So far this year I have had one contract for 6 days and one relief day, and there is only three weeks left until the holidays! This year hasn't got off to a good start work wise :( I can only hope it picks up for the rest of the year!
This week I actually took Monday and Tuesday off because we had a cyclone flying around in the sea that went past us, so was not too keen to go out in that type of weather. The cyclone never actually hit us but we got strong winds and very heavy rain. Unfortunately I did have to go out in it on Monday, but that was unavoidable. Anyway my friend actually worked both these days, it was the first time she had worked in a state school all year! Today I was available and more than ready to work but of course no one wanted me! My friend didn't get booked either - aghh slowest year to start regular bookings I've ever had!
I was also going to be available for work tomorrow until my dentist, well not my dentist because he is on holidays, called and gave me an earlier appointment than the one I had. I had trouble last week when my mouth got very painful and I had a lump appear (never a good sign) so I called my dentist and had to book with a different one but being in so much pain and not being able to see him for almost a month I called my doctor. . . who is also on holiday! Aghh just when you need them; they're not there!!! Thankfully I got a good replacement doctor (I have had some shocker of replacement doctors!) who told me it was infected and gave my some pills. The pills have worked a charm! I called back at the dentist and was put on the emergency list, which meant if someone cancels then I get their spot. So someone must have cancelled and now I get to go tomorrow. I'm not really in any pain at the moment but I guess it's better to get it checked and make sure it didn't spread or do any damage. So because of this I am not going to be able to work tomorrow, but I am very thankful I just got paid! Dental visits are never cheap :(
The reason I went out Monday and today was because I am currently getting government payments for being unemployed (apart from my 1 contract and 1 relief day I haven't worked since the start of December) but since I am starting study I had to change my type of payment over. I thought it would be simple, all my information is on their computer and all they have to do is click and change it but NO! Paperwork! I have to fill out endless paperwork and after three long waiting, boring visits to them I think I have finally sorted it out! It is such a pain! The payment I am on now is twice as much as the one I am trying to get on (they said it will take up to a month before it changes over!), you think they would be happy to pay me less!!! Not that I plan to be on it a long time. I relief day pay is more than what they will be paying me a fortnight on my student payments! So as soon as I get some good constant work coming in I won't even need it!
I am trying to be good with money thins year! I would love to save and go on a really nice holiday somewhere. At the start of the year my friend wanted to go on a cruise with me, probably still does but like me isn't making too much at the moment. My Mum is going on holiday soon with my sister and her three kids and are going to all different amusement parks. . . yeah I'm jealous!!! I get to stay at home with my pets and pray for work to get money to one day fulfill my dream holiday. . .or at least enough to pay for my next dental visit!!!
Until my next ramble,
Miss Snix.
This week I actually took Monday and Tuesday off because we had a cyclone flying around in the sea that went past us, so was not too keen to go out in that type of weather. The cyclone never actually hit us but we got strong winds and very heavy rain. Unfortunately I did have to go out in it on Monday, but that was unavoidable. Anyway my friend actually worked both these days, it was the first time she had worked in a state school all year! Today I was available and more than ready to work but of course no one wanted me! My friend didn't get booked either - aghh slowest year to start regular bookings I've ever had!
I was also going to be available for work tomorrow until my dentist, well not my dentist because he is on holidays, called and gave me an earlier appointment than the one I had. I had trouble last week when my mouth got very painful and I had a lump appear (never a good sign) so I called my dentist and had to book with a different one but being in so much pain and not being able to see him for almost a month I called my doctor. . . who is also on holiday! Aghh just when you need them; they're not there!!! Thankfully I got a good replacement doctor (I have had some shocker of replacement doctors!) who told me it was infected and gave my some pills. The pills have worked a charm! I called back at the dentist and was put on the emergency list, which meant if someone cancels then I get their spot. So someone must have cancelled and now I get to go tomorrow. I'm not really in any pain at the moment but I guess it's better to get it checked and make sure it didn't spread or do any damage. So because of this I am not going to be able to work tomorrow, but I am very thankful I just got paid! Dental visits are never cheap :(
The reason I went out Monday and today was because I am currently getting government payments for being unemployed (apart from my 1 contract and 1 relief day I haven't worked since the start of December) but since I am starting study I had to change my type of payment over. I thought it would be simple, all my information is on their computer and all they have to do is click and change it but NO! Paperwork! I have to fill out endless paperwork and after three long waiting, boring visits to them I think I have finally sorted it out! It is such a pain! The payment I am on now is twice as much as the one I am trying to get on (they said it will take up to a month before it changes over!), you think they would be happy to pay me less!!! Not that I plan to be on it a long time. I relief day pay is more than what they will be paying me a fortnight on my student payments! So as soon as I get some good constant work coming in I won't even need it!
I am trying to be good with money thins year! I would love to save and go on a really nice holiday somewhere. At the start of the year my friend wanted to go on a cruise with me, probably still does but like me isn't making too much at the moment. My Mum is going on holiday soon with my sister and her three kids and are going to all different amusement parks. . . yeah I'm jealous!!! I get to stay at home with my pets and pray for work to get money to one day fulfill my dream holiday. . .or at least enough to pay for my next dental visit!!!
Until my next ramble,
Miss Snix.
New Year - New Beginnings?
Well the holidays are over and the new school year has started; it actually started about three weeks ago but as of yet I haven't had any work. It feels like a lot has changed since my blogging last year, and a lot has also stayed the same (still trying to figure out if that is good or bad!).
Holiday
Holidays were great! I had a friend come stay with me for about 3 weeks and was here for Christmas and my birthday. The lead up to Christmas is always a fun time, I love seeing all the Christmas decorations come out everywhere and going and seeing others houses all decorated with lights at night. I bought a brand new tree too, so that was fun putting it together and decorating it. The day was nice ad fun with family, and not too hot which was really nice! My birthday wasn't as fun, rather boring really but I did have a lot of luck playing the pokies after a dinner out which was a nice change!
Working
Before school went back I updated the resume and sent it off to all the schools in the area (with all the range of relief/contract work I've done it actually is looking very good; I'm impressed anyway lol). I also resigned up with the relief agency all the schools go through, but so far haven't heard from them.
I don’t know why but I got all excited about ‘day 8’ thinking after all the hard work I put in last year I would finally get an offer. Day 8 is the day all the schools count how many children they have and if they have too many in a class then the schools have to employ extra teachers and make new classes. I didn’t get a call.
I have had a few phone calls offering work but for one reason or another they just have not worked out. First I got a phone call just before the school year started offering me a job on the other side of my state teaching SEU, sounded good except they wanted me there in 2 days (it's flooding up there and no way to get in or out of the area - and it's only 2 days!) so I turned that offer down.
Next I got a call from a principal of a school I do not have listed with the agency as one of my choices because quite frankly the school is disgusting! I worked there last year and had grade 3 children swear their head of at me, call me every name under the sun and bash each other in front of me (bashing heads into cement!) and then the principal not really caring (he had no control!!!) not to mention other horrible experiences I have had at the school. . . anyway he called me offering me 3 weeks work doing relief while teachers are at training; they way he was talking sounded like a young class so I agreed thinking they might not be as bad until he said it was the grade 4 classes. . . who were the swearing holligan grade 3s from last year. . .crap!!! So I am going to call them back in a little while and pretend I have other work and unavailable those dates. I am NOT putting myself through that hell again (and it would only be on contract pay; not worth it!)
The other call I got was actually tonight from a principal of a private school. I have only worked in their kindergarten and that was not enjoyable. Anyway he wanted me to take a grade 6 class but I told him I am only working with the little grades this year. I feel rude turning it down, but I feel more confident with the littlies and have done that many upper grades I just feel like I want to have a good year. Anyway, doubt I will be hearing from him again!
Changing Careers. . . maybe
After last year I felt very drained from teaching. I love being with kids and in the classroom but not knowing where or what or who I'll be with the next day gets a bit stressful, especially when you get a class that has very little respect for a relief teacher (than again most 'regular' teachers don't seem to show much respect for relief teachers either!). This is my third year out teaching and I know that is not a long time but there has been that many new graduates since I graduated that come from uni and seem to land a full time job straight away, I don't get why they have and I seemed to have slipped through. . . I got high marks at uni, I got an S1 rating as an excellent teacher in the eyes of the education department (you can't get any higher!) and I have worked very hard to prove that I enjoy and am good at what I do but it just doesn't seem to matter and I do get very jealous of others getting their own class while I am still merely a 'relief teacher'.
Anyway. . .I thought instead of continuing to be miserable with things I would try and gain some new skills and try something different. So after looking through TAFE and uni websites for different courses I finally found a business course that sounds interesting. It is an external course so I can keep working (when I get work! lol) during the day and study at night or weekends plus it is only 1 semester full time so the whole thing is only 4 classes that I can choose from all the master business classes. Was all excited about it until I got a phone call today saying to get in I need to have at least 2 years work experience which in a way I do but my contract work does not add up to 2 years so I had to resubmit my resume with exactly how many days I have worked at each school over the past two years. . .so after counting them all I sent my resume back off and am hoping I get in! I don’t plan on quitting teaching! But I figure it will be good to learn something new and different to education plus the classes that I want to take are management and organization ones which I think will also help in my teaching anyway. But with the way things have been going if I do feel the need to change careers (I’ve been working with children for 9 years and love it but wouldn’t mind trying something different) at least I will have some knowledge and countable qualifications.
It feels so good to write a blog (or in my case novel! lol) again and get it all out, hopefully over the span of this year my blogs are more positive (lol I pray for non-swearing, non-bashing, respectful classes! lol), last years got a little depressing at times but thinking back about them now at least I can say I have been having an adventure!
Miss Snix.
Holiday
Holidays were great! I had a friend come stay with me for about 3 weeks and was here for Christmas and my birthday. The lead up to Christmas is always a fun time, I love seeing all the Christmas decorations come out everywhere and going and seeing others houses all decorated with lights at night. I bought a brand new tree too, so that was fun putting it together and decorating it. The day was nice ad fun with family, and not too hot which was really nice! My birthday wasn't as fun, rather boring really but I did have a lot of luck playing the pokies after a dinner out which was a nice change!
Working
Before school went back I updated the resume and sent it off to all the schools in the area (with all the range of relief/contract work I've done it actually is looking very good; I'm impressed anyway lol). I also resigned up with the relief agency all the schools go through, but so far haven't heard from them.
I don’t know why but I got all excited about ‘day 8’ thinking after all the hard work I put in last year I would finally get an offer. Day 8 is the day all the schools count how many children they have and if they have too many in a class then the schools have to employ extra teachers and make new classes. I didn’t get a call.
I have had a few phone calls offering work but for one reason or another they just have not worked out. First I got a phone call just before the school year started offering me a job on the other side of my state teaching SEU, sounded good except they wanted me there in 2 days (it's flooding up there and no way to get in or out of the area - and it's only 2 days!) so I turned that offer down.
Next I got a call from a principal of a school I do not have listed with the agency as one of my choices because quite frankly the school is disgusting! I worked there last year and had grade 3 children swear their head of at me, call me every name under the sun and bash each other in front of me (bashing heads into cement!) and then the principal not really caring (he had no control!!!) not to mention other horrible experiences I have had at the school. . . anyway he called me offering me 3 weeks work doing relief while teachers are at training; they way he was talking sounded like a young class so I agreed thinking they might not be as bad until he said it was the grade 4 classes. . . who were the swearing holligan grade 3s from last year. . .crap!!! So I am going to call them back in a little while and pretend I have other work and unavailable those dates. I am NOT putting myself through that hell again (and it would only be on contract pay; not worth it!)
The other call I got was actually tonight from a principal of a private school. I have only worked in their kindergarten and that was not enjoyable. Anyway he wanted me to take a grade 6 class but I told him I am only working with the little grades this year. I feel rude turning it down, but I feel more confident with the littlies and have done that many upper grades I just feel like I want to have a good year. Anyway, doubt I will be hearing from him again!
Changing Careers. . . maybe
After last year I felt very drained from teaching. I love being with kids and in the classroom but not knowing where or what or who I'll be with the next day gets a bit stressful, especially when you get a class that has very little respect for a relief teacher (than again most 'regular' teachers don't seem to show much respect for relief teachers either!). This is my third year out teaching and I know that is not a long time but there has been that many new graduates since I graduated that come from uni and seem to land a full time job straight away, I don't get why they have and I seemed to have slipped through. . . I got high marks at uni, I got an S1 rating as an excellent teacher in the eyes of the education department (you can't get any higher!) and I have worked very hard to prove that I enjoy and am good at what I do but it just doesn't seem to matter and I do get very jealous of others getting their own class while I am still merely a 'relief teacher'.
Anyway. . .I thought instead of continuing to be miserable with things I would try and gain some new skills and try something different. So after looking through TAFE and uni websites for different courses I finally found a business course that sounds interesting. It is an external course so I can keep working (when I get work! lol) during the day and study at night or weekends plus it is only 1 semester full time so the whole thing is only 4 classes that I can choose from all the master business classes. Was all excited about it until I got a phone call today saying to get in I need to have at least 2 years work experience which in a way I do but my contract work does not add up to 2 years so I had to resubmit my resume with exactly how many days I have worked at each school over the past two years. . .so after counting them all I sent my resume back off and am hoping I get in! I don’t plan on quitting teaching! But I figure it will be good to learn something new and different to education plus the classes that I want to take are management and organization ones which I think will also help in my teaching anyway. But with the way things have been going if I do feel the need to change careers (I’ve been working with children for 9 years and love it but wouldn’t mind trying something different) at least I will have some knowledge and countable qualifications.
It feels so good to write a blog (or in my case novel! lol) again and get it all out, hopefully over the span of this year my blogs are more positive (lol I pray for non-swearing, non-bashing, respectful classes! lol), last years got a little depressing at times but thinking back about them now at least I can say I have been having an adventure!
Miss Snix.
There's A Chook In My Classroom!
I'm baccckk. . . hahaha I taught the grade two class today. Wasn't the same one I had on Monday, it was the class next to them. They were slightly (ever so slightly!) better than the others.
The day started off well; all seated quietly at their desks going through their work. I had an aide decide that the trainee aide she had following her would be less bored if she was in my class than watching her reading with kids. The kids were so well behaved during literacy. . . and then maths happened. A few decided they didn't want to do anything, others decided they would rather sit and talk and not listen and one lovely little fella decided to play with pieces of wire (don't know where he got it from) while also throwing pencils at others. Seriously! What goes on in their minds sometimes?!? So the ones that finished early I gave a colouring in sheet to but they finished that while the slackers hadn't got far with maths (some didn't even start). So I let the early finishers play a group game, of course seeing them having fun finally made the lazy ones finish their work. We then went out for a game before morning tea.
Morning tea I got to do my favorite thing: duty!!! Aghh I had the grade 2-5 eating area again which is meant to have two teachers doing it but of course noone else shows up so I got to look after them all by myself. AND! The school made today 'treat day' (the other yr2 teacher had no idea what the hell it was lol) which meant everyone that had tuckshop (which are only allowed to sell healthy foods) also had a free slice of chocolate cake (for morning tea) or icecream (big lunch) in their bag! What was the point of it is beyond me. All it did was hype them up! That plus all the candy canes children were handing out and eating (we had to tell them to put them away first thing in the morning) made them go off their rocker.
After morning tea we did a class crossword, which sounds easy except the children kept talking over me and not hearing anything and then calling out because they didn't hear anything (close your mouth and listen! How hard is that!?) Then they had to do a writing task, I told them they had to do a good job by themselves because their grade 3 teachers would be looking at it for next year. After moving some people who still couldn't close their mouths, they were finally quiet again for almost an hour. By lunch time almost all had finished except for three who hadn't even started! So I made them stay in and write it (even while their icecream was melting next to them . . . ) it's amazing how quickly they suddenly wrote! hahaha
Big lunch I actually had the whole time off to eat, was so nice! Highlight of my day hahaha After that both grade two classes came together to do show and tell (most classes I've taught it takes about 15mins to do) but they went crazy together and would not sit still, keep their hands to themselves or shut up! It took us well over half an hour to do! We then had a mother show up with a baby chicken for her son to show (haha like they weren't worked up before!) and the children's behavior got even worse! After that we were meant to split up again to do some art (was looking forward to separating them so it would be a bit quieter!) but the RE teacher shows up and takes them all for RE, which was a nightmare trying to get them to sit and listen to her (they were so rude!) She showed a cool popup book about the birth of Jesus and also explained why we have candy canes at Christmas. I thought it was really interesting because I had never really thought about it before. Then we had 5mins left before the bell so I got them to clean up the room (pig sty!) which may have involved voice raising haha (if there's a big chunk of paper under your desk - PICK IT UP!)
Then the bell went and I instantly felt relaxed haha And that was my day. . .
Miss Snix.
The day started off well; all seated quietly at their desks going through their work. I had an aide decide that the trainee aide she had following her would be less bored if she was in my class than watching her reading with kids. The kids were so well behaved during literacy. . . and then maths happened. A few decided they didn't want to do anything, others decided they would rather sit and talk and not listen and one lovely little fella decided to play with pieces of wire (don't know where he got it from) while also throwing pencils at others. Seriously! What goes on in their minds sometimes?!? So the ones that finished early I gave a colouring in sheet to but they finished that while the slackers hadn't got far with maths (some didn't even start). So I let the early finishers play a group game, of course seeing them having fun finally made the lazy ones finish their work. We then went out for a game before morning tea.
Morning tea I got to do my favorite thing: duty!!! Aghh I had the grade 2-5 eating area again which is meant to have two teachers doing it but of course noone else shows up so I got to look after them all by myself. AND! The school made today 'treat day' (the other yr2 teacher had no idea what the hell it was lol) which meant everyone that had tuckshop (which are only allowed to sell healthy foods) also had a free slice of chocolate cake (for morning tea) or icecream (big lunch) in their bag! What was the point of it is beyond me. All it did was hype them up! That plus all the candy canes children were handing out and eating (we had to tell them to put them away first thing in the morning) made them go off their rocker.
After morning tea we did a class crossword, which sounds easy except the children kept talking over me and not hearing anything and then calling out because they didn't hear anything (close your mouth and listen! How hard is that!?) Then they had to do a writing task, I told them they had to do a good job by themselves because their grade 3 teachers would be looking at it for next year. After moving some people who still couldn't close their mouths, they were finally quiet again for almost an hour. By lunch time almost all had finished except for three who hadn't even started! So I made them stay in and write it (even while their icecream was melting next to them . . . ) it's amazing how quickly they suddenly wrote! hahaha
Big lunch I actually had the whole time off to eat, was so nice! Highlight of my day hahaha After that both grade two classes came together to do show and tell (most classes I've taught it takes about 15mins to do) but they went crazy together and would not sit still, keep their hands to themselves or shut up! It took us well over half an hour to do! We then had a mother show up with a baby chicken for her son to show (haha like they weren't worked up before!) and the children's behavior got even worse! After that we were meant to split up again to do some art (was looking forward to separating them so it would be a bit quieter!) but the RE teacher shows up and takes them all for RE, which was a nightmare trying to get them to sit and listen to her (they were so rude!) She showed a cool popup book about the birth of Jesus and also explained why we have candy canes at Christmas. I thought it was really interesting because I had never really thought about it before. Then we had 5mins left before the bell so I got them to clean up the room (pig sty!) which may have involved voice raising haha (if there's a big chunk of paper under your desk - PICK IT UP!)
Then the bell went and I instantly felt relaxed haha And that was my day. . .
Miss Snix.
Mad Mad Monday!!!
I wasn't going to write a blog today but after the day I've had. . . . I need to get it out! lol My day started a little past 6am when I got a phone call booking me for the day working at the school I was at on Friday (the same one I had the yr4/5 contract and where I work a lot ~ I really need nicknames for schools so I don't get confused about which ones I am talking about on here lol) Anywho it was for a grade 2 class, I have never had a straight gr2 class there before but am prebooked to work with them Thursday, so the kids don't really know me aghh lol
The class works with the other gr2 class next door so the morning was okay with the other teacher doing all the morning/carpet stuff. Although I found it a little rude the children talking over and mucking around while she was talking, but who was I to step in when the regular teacher found this behavior acceptable. When we split up and went to our own classrooms my lot of children just behaved ridiculously! Which resulted in me moving children, giving warnings and the occasional bribery of positive rewards not that it had much affect. How teachers can put up with such horrible behavior in their rooms everyday is beyond me!
Anyway the fun continued at morning tea when just before heading off to do my duty that I was aware of my teaching partner informs me I have to do two duties today (yay), normally a teacher only has one a day but the one I was replacing request to have two for Mondays (who does that to themselves!?) The first duty was during eating time, I was watching all the yr2-5 children alongside the deputy (who last time I saw him left the class he was teaching to come talk to me while I was teaching, drinking his coffee - he's an idiot and full of himself lol The other staff members call him the Principals handbag) So Mr 'I have no brains but sucked up to get a deputy job' (lol I am in a great mood aren't I!?) decided half way through the duty to walk off talking to another teacher and left me with all the year 2 to year 5 children! Do you know how many damn children that is!!! The next duty wasn't as bad, it was just watching the prep and yr1 children play, although the teacher before me was cranky because I was 'late' (I was actually a couple of mins early!)
Back in the classroom the children's behavior was still shocking, during the middle session I had to move three kids to my teaching partners room. One ended up getting a behavior slip that gets sent home because she was that bad. She thought it was funny and wanted to show off the slip to her friends (she is 7 and thinks being in trouble is cool!).
I pretty much just counted down the time for the session to be over. In the afternoon they were actually very settled and sat nice and quietly doing their Santa coloring in, it was so nice!!! Until I heard a barking at the door 10mins before the bell. A mother showed up unannounced with a giant dog! Aghh so I got the children to sit in a circle on the floor and had the child (who was almost smaller than the dog!) in the middle trying to talk about it. The children went berserk! It was ridiculous!!! The dog ran around jumping on kids (some got scratched). Finally the mother woke up and took the dog away leaving us two mins until the bell and a pig sty of a room. The children were so worked up now instead of cleaning up they played up and we had to finish putting chairs up after the bell had went.
Aghh I was so glad to get out of there in the afternoon lol They asked if I could work there tomorrow but I have my dentist appointment (which I seriously thing will be more fun!) and besides I am booked there for Thursday so I need to recharge myself for then!
Walking in this morning I also saw all the gr4/5s waiting at the gate ready to go on camp, I thought to myself if I was still there teacher I would be going with them. At the time I was thinking I am glad I didn’t have too although by the end of the day it didn’t seem like such a bad idea! It’s funny thinking if I had kept my job teaching them things would be so different, I wouldn’t have had any of the experiences I have had since; both bad (like being attacked my a weird parent and dealing with horrible behavior) and good (like teaching the amazing prep class I had a contract with and meeting and getting to know some wonderful people). I guess everything happens for a reason.
I need a rest lol,
Miss Snix.
The class works with the other gr2 class next door so the morning was okay with the other teacher doing all the morning/carpet stuff. Although I found it a little rude the children talking over and mucking around while she was talking, but who was I to step in when the regular teacher found this behavior acceptable. When we split up and went to our own classrooms my lot of children just behaved ridiculously! Which resulted in me moving children, giving warnings and the occasional bribery of positive rewards not that it had much affect. How teachers can put up with such horrible behavior in their rooms everyday is beyond me!
Anyway the fun continued at morning tea when just before heading off to do my duty that I was aware of my teaching partner informs me I have to do two duties today (yay), normally a teacher only has one a day but the one I was replacing request to have two for Mondays (who does that to themselves!?) The first duty was during eating time, I was watching all the yr2-5 children alongside the deputy (who last time I saw him left the class he was teaching to come talk to me while I was teaching, drinking his coffee - he's an idiot and full of himself lol The other staff members call him the Principals handbag) So Mr 'I have no brains but sucked up to get a deputy job' (lol I am in a great mood aren't I!?) decided half way through the duty to walk off talking to another teacher and left me with all the year 2 to year 5 children! Do you know how many damn children that is!!! The next duty wasn't as bad, it was just watching the prep and yr1 children play, although the teacher before me was cranky because I was 'late' (I was actually a couple of mins early!)
Back in the classroom the children's behavior was still shocking, during the middle session I had to move three kids to my teaching partners room. One ended up getting a behavior slip that gets sent home because she was that bad. She thought it was funny and wanted to show off the slip to her friends (she is 7 and thinks being in trouble is cool!).
I pretty much just counted down the time for the session to be over. In the afternoon they were actually very settled and sat nice and quietly doing their Santa coloring in, it was so nice!!! Until I heard a barking at the door 10mins before the bell. A mother showed up unannounced with a giant dog! Aghh so I got the children to sit in a circle on the floor and had the child (who was almost smaller than the dog!) in the middle trying to talk about it. The children went berserk! It was ridiculous!!! The dog ran around jumping on kids (some got scratched). Finally the mother woke up and took the dog away leaving us two mins until the bell and a pig sty of a room. The children were so worked up now instead of cleaning up they played up and we had to finish putting chairs up after the bell had went.
Aghh I was so glad to get out of there in the afternoon lol They asked if I could work there tomorrow but I have my dentist appointment (which I seriously thing will be more fun!) and besides I am booked there for Thursday so I need to recharge myself for then!
Walking in this morning I also saw all the gr4/5s waiting at the gate ready to go on camp, I thought to myself if I was still there teacher I would be going with them. At the time I was thinking I am glad I didn’t have too although by the end of the day it didn’t seem like such a bad idea! It’s funny thinking if I had kept my job teaching them things would be so different, I wouldn’t have had any of the experiences I have had since; both bad (like being attacked my a weird parent and dealing with horrible behavior) and good (like teaching the amazing prep class I had a contract with and meeting and getting to know some wonderful people). I guess everything happens for a reason.
I need a rest lol,
Miss Snix.
Almost Christmas!
Only two more week left of school before the Christmas/Summer holidays! While I am not looking forward to two months without being paid, I am excited to have an official break and not worry about whether I will be called in to work.
Of course I have already had a bit of a break lately. It had been 2 and a half weeks between jobs when I finally got a call on Friday to teach a gr1/2 class. I have taught them several times before (last time they had the prac student I complained in a blog about) so that always makes it easier knowing what type of class you are getting. It was actually a really nice day, I got very lucky! I had them for half an hour in the morning before sending them off on the bus to go swimming for 1 and a half hours. I got to stay behind at school with those that didn't go, three kids! So I let them play on the computers and white boards and all I had to do was sit there and watch them (and get paid for it!), too easy! Unfortunately when they came back during morning tea it was raining so the school declared it a 'wet lunch' which means children eat inside. They were a bit excitable from the swimming and the rain (funny how children's behavior changes as soon as it starts raining!). But after that we went to a special parade for Movember where the male staff members shaved off their mustaches they had been growing. This took a fair while so when we finally got back into the classroom there was only less than an hour before lunch. Come lunch time I was 'lucky' enough to have duty while the children were eating and started playing, during this time it started raining again which gave me a headache (apparently lunch + rain = screaming children) thankfully the second half of lunch I got to eat in peace (and take aspirins lol). Then the afternoon went quickly, they had rotations that I just had to supervise. So overall I had a very easy day, a nice way to get back into work.
This week I already have one booking, at the same school I just wrote about, in a grade two class that I haven't had before so that should be interesting. I also am taking this Tuesday off to go to the dentist (I know - lucky me!!!) I am getting a filling and a cleaning that is going to be expensive (they show you the bill in advance!) but the funny thing is that is the same day I get paid. So basically my pay will go in and straight out of my account that day!
A weird experience I had this past week; I was at the hairdressers, sitting there getting my hair cut when a mother and her daughter and baby come in. The daughter sits next to me and at first I don’t recognize her but I look in my mirror and standing directly behind me is the mother, just staring at me! It was kind of weird, I had a feeling I knew her but couldn’t for the life of me remember who she was until it hit me! She was the mother that a while ago bailed me up before school and verbally attacked me for no reason! And now here she was staring me down! I tired not to make eye contact with her. She tried to get her baby to sit in the hairdressers chair to get her ‘used to it when she needs to get her hair cut’ (the child was almost bald!). The baby started screaming her head off and the mother kept trying to push her into the chair it was ridiculous! So after feeling very uncomfortable as soon as my hairdresser was done I got the hell out of there! hahaha
Have a good week,
Miss Snix.
Of course I have already had a bit of a break lately. It had been 2 and a half weeks between jobs when I finally got a call on Friday to teach a gr1/2 class. I have taught them several times before (last time they had the prac student I complained in a blog about) so that always makes it easier knowing what type of class you are getting. It was actually a really nice day, I got very lucky! I had them for half an hour in the morning before sending them off on the bus to go swimming for 1 and a half hours. I got to stay behind at school with those that didn't go, three kids! So I let them play on the computers and white boards and all I had to do was sit there and watch them (and get paid for it!), too easy! Unfortunately when they came back during morning tea it was raining so the school declared it a 'wet lunch' which means children eat inside. They were a bit excitable from the swimming and the rain (funny how children's behavior changes as soon as it starts raining!). But after that we went to a special parade for Movember where the male staff members shaved off their mustaches they had been growing. This took a fair while so when we finally got back into the classroom there was only less than an hour before lunch. Come lunch time I was 'lucky' enough to have duty while the children were eating and started playing, during this time it started raining again which gave me a headache (apparently lunch + rain = screaming children) thankfully the second half of lunch I got to eat in peace (and take aspirins lol). Then the afternoon went quickly, they had rotations that I just had to supervise. So overall I had a very easy day, a nice way to get back into work.
This week I already have one booking, at the same school I just wrote about, in a grade two class that I haven't had before so that should be interesting. I also am taking this Tuesday off to go to the dentist (I know - lucky me!!!) I am getting a filling and a cleaning that is going to be expensive (they show you the bill in advance!) but the funny thing is that is the same day I get paid. So basically my pay will go in and straight out of my account that day!
A weird experience I had this past week; I was at the hairdressers, sitting there getting my hair cut when a mother and her daughter and baby come in. The daughter sits next to me and at first I don’t recognize her but I look in my mirror and standing directly behind me is the mother, just staring at me! It was kind of weird, I had a feeling I knew her but couldn’t for the life of me remember who she was until it hit me! She was the mother that a while ago bailed me up before school and verbally attacked me for no reason! And now here she was staring me down! I tired not to make eye contact with her. She tried to get her baby to sit in the hairdressers chair to get her ‘used to it when she needs to get her hair cut’ (the child was almost bald!). The baby started screaming her head off and the mother kept trying to push her into the chair it was ridiculous! So after feeling very uncomfortable as soon as my hairdresser was done I got the hell out of there! hahaha
Have a good week,
Miss Snix.
Big Bad Storm. . . And Nothing Else!
Well this was a fun week, I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. Hmm I could end my blog there. . .
I was available all week and was hoping to hear the phone ring but each morning it didn't, so I didn't work. But I got some shopping done lol So instead of making money I decided to spend it; as you do. In honesty I did get a phone call this morning but it was past 8am when they called and I was still in my PJs and had yet to make breakfast and most schools like you to be there before 8.30am so I knew I wouldn't have enough time to make it.
The last couple of days we have had some really bad weather too. Down south from me they have had severe storms and flooding and it doesn't look like it's ending soon. We got a taste of that here last night. There was a severe storm warning out for flash flooding and large hail. Thankfully we didn't get it that bad. All we had was a lot of rain and strong winds as well as thunder and lightening all afternoon and night. But there was no damage to my house luckily. Unfortunately the forecast says we are due for more bad weather tomorrow night.
Speaking of bad weather; it is so hot here! I have sweat dripping off me without even moving. I am dreading Christmas; another hot, stinking one! And to think in some parts of the world it is snowing now.
Anyway let’s hope something more interesting happens to me next week!
Miss Snix.
I was available all week and was hoping to hear the phone ring but each morning it didn't, so I didn't work. But I got some shopping done lol So instead of making money I decided to spend it; as you do. In honesty I did get a phone call this morning but it was past 8am when they called and I was still in my PJs and had yet to make breakfast and most schools like you to be there before 8.30am so I knew I wouldn't have enough time to make it.
The last couple of days we have had some really bad weather too. Down south from me they have had severe storms and flooding and it doesn't look like it's ending soon. We got a taste of that here last night. There was a severe storm warning out for flash flooding and large hail. Thankfully we didn't get it that bad. All we had was a lot of rain and strong winds as well as thunder and lightening all afternoon and night. But there was no damage to my house luckily. Unfortunately the forecast says we are due for more bad weather tomorrow night.
Speaking of bad weather; it is so hot here! I have sweat dripping off me without even moving. I am dreading Christmas; another hot, stinking one! And to think in some parts of the world it is snowing now.
Anyway let’s hope something more interesting happens to me next week!
Miss Snix.
It's Been a Bad Week
I have been meaning to do a blog for the past couple of days but have been putting it off. Teaching wise not a whole lot has been happening. I taught the grade 2/3 class on Monday and Tuesday and they weren't too bad, no where near as bad as what my friend had told me they were for her. I got to briefly see the two prep aides I worked with and the prep teacher I taught next to when I was on contract so that was nice.
I also had a small car accident on Monday after school trying to leave the road the school is on. The car in front of me went to take off from a stop sign, I went to move us, she put the brakes on quickly and so did I but I didn't stop quick enough and bumped the back of her car. We swapped details and I called my insurance and booked my car in to get checked and I thought it was all sorted. Until Thursday night I get a call from her husband (who wasn't there at the accident) saying I have to buy her a new rear bumper bar. I questioned him what their insurance and mechanic said only to find out they hadn't even contacted either! So I told them to contact mine and they would sort them out and not to call me again. There wasn't any damage to the car! So I let my insurance know about them calling me and what they said. I had my car checked and serviced on Friday and all that was wrong was it needed a wheel alignment. There were no bumps, dents, scratches or paint off which is good since I only bought it brand new half way through this year.
Never got a booking Wednesday and then took Thursday and Friday off for personal reasons. My guinea pig stopped eating a few days earlier and had been getting daily needles from the vet to help her but it didn't work and in the end I was told there was nothing more he could do for her and I should think about putting her to sleep. I have had guinea pigs for 12 years and this ones sister had passed suddenly 2 months earlier, so she was my last one. I had a feeling that she didn't have long and something was happening; call it intuition, but the very next day after he said that she went downhill very fast. So I took the Thursday off to spend with her, making sure she was comfortable and getting lots of cuddles in. She lost all physical control in the late afternoon, it was horrible seeing her like that, but kept breathing. I had her in a basket and put her next to my bed when I went to bed so she wouldn't be alone. At 3am my cat started meowing, something she never does so that woke me up and when I returned to bed I checked on her and she had passed on. This meant Friday I had to bury her, so I wasn’t really in the mood to go to work. And I had to take my car to get checked that day. I also decided to move her cage out of sight and put some of her stuff away so I didn't have a reminder she was no longer here.
So last week was a very crappy one for me! lol I can only hope this week is better! There is only a few more weeks left of school for the year and then it's Christmas holidays! yay!
Take care,
Miss Snix.
I also had a small car accident on Monday after school trying to leave the road the school is on. The car in front of me went to take off from a stop sign, I went to move us, she put the brakes on quickly and so did I but I didn't stop quick enough and bumped the back of her car. We swapped details and I called my insurance and booked my car in to get checked and I thought it was all sorted. Until Thursday night I get a call from her husband (who wasn't there at the accident) saying I have to buy her a new rear bumper bar. I questioned him what their insurance and mechanic said only to find out they hadn't even contacted either! So I told them to contact mine and they would sort them out and not to call me again. There wasn't any damage to the car! So I let my insurance know about them calling me and what they said. I had my car checked and serviced on Friday and all that was wrong was it needed a wheel alignment. There were no bumps, dents, scratches or paint off which is good since I only bought it brand new half way through this year.
Never got a booking Wednesday and then took Thursday and Friday off for personal reasons. My guinea pig stopped eating a few days earlier and had been getting daily needles from the vet to help her but it didn't work and in the end I was told there was nothing more he could do for her and I should think about putting her to sleep. I have had guinea pigs for 12 years and this ones sister had passed suddenly 2 months earlier, so she was my last one. I had a feeling that she didn't have long and something was happening; call it intuition, but the very next day after he said that she went downhill very fast. So I took the Thursday off to spend with her, making sure she was comfortable and getting lots of cuddles in. She lost all physical control in the late afternoon, it was horrible seeing her like that, but kept breathing. I had her in a basket and put her next to my bed when I went to bed so she wouldn't be alone. At 3am my cat started meowing, something she never does so that woke me up and when I returned to bed I checked on her and she had passed on. This meant Friday I had to bury her, so I wasn’t really in the mood to go to work. And I had to take my car to get checked that day. I also decided to move her cage out of sight and put some of her stuff away so I didn't have a reminder she was no longer here.
So last week was a very crappy one for me! lol I can only hope this week is better! There is only a few more weeks left of school for the year and then it's Christmas holidays! yay!
Take care,
Miss Snix.
Work
After 2 weeks of not working I finally returned to work today. I got a phone call at 6.45am asking me to work at a school. It was the school I had the grade 4/5 contract at but today I taught a grade 3 class that I have taught many times before for relief and at one point was tricked into having a contract while teaching them. Thankfully that won't be the case this time because I spoke with the teacher in the morning and she was only taking the day off to take her son to the doctor. And I won't be able to work five days in a row because I have a family member leaving on Friday so I am taking the day off to see her go. Half way through the day the (acting) deputy principal came to see me (while I was in the middle of teaching) to see if I wanted to teach his (he is taking a class temporarily) year 6/7 class tomorrow. I said no. Felt good too, normally I would smile and pretend to laugh at his little remarks to make a good impression but he is a twat and I am in demand in a lot of other schools anyway I no longer feel the need to suck up (not that I was being rude!) But I told him I am only teaching the littlies these days and since they were so desperate for a relief teacher (personally I don't think he should be discussing so openly that his school is struggling to find teachers when there are so many relief teachers out there fighting for jobs. Says it all really) he said he would see if he could get one of the teachers he had lined up to take a junior class to swap and take his. So a little while latter he returned (again while I was in the middle of trying to teach maths; no it's okay. . . 8 year olds will stop what we were doing and sit there quietly while he talks to me. As if!) and said that he would like me to take the grade 1/2 class. I have taught them before, some days they are wonderful and other days they are little horrors so I agreed to it and off he went on his merrily way sipping his coffee to find where he left his class while I got to settle down 20 eight year olds.
My last post I was wondering if I would get a payslip for not earning any money; I didn't haha I looked up my bank account thinking they might have paid me for my last week on contract but nothing was showing up. So I looked at my last payslip and turns out they paid the last week of my contract before I even worked it so it was all in a nice neat fortnight package. Ohh well, still got the money just before I was expecting it. And just goes to show how closely I look at my payslips! haha I always check off dates for relief work in case they forget a booking but I never really look at dates when on contracts; as long as they pay a fortnightly pay I am happy. But if I get another contract will look closer! Also got a little freaked out when on the notes section of the payslip it said my casual pay (relief work) was about to cease, didn't really understand this but then today I got a form to fill out to continue being a relief teacher for next year. So I guess they were just getting in early (2 months early!) to let me know the end of the year was coming and they weren't going to pay me (duhh!) until next year when I get to (once form is complete) be a relief teacher all over again (yay me lol)
Anywho should be going, need to get ready for an early night. Unlike last night I stayed up until almost 1am watching Walk the Line. I am surprised I was so awake today! When I was at uni I could do all nighters and then still attend class with no worries but these days I need my sleep!
Miss Snix.
My last post I was wondering if I would get a payslip for not earning any money; I didn't haha I looked up my bank account thinking they might have paid me for my last week on contract but nothing was showing up. So I looked at my last payslip and turns out they paid the last week of my contract before I even worked it so it was all in a nice neat fortnight package. Ohh well, still got the money just before I was expecting it. And just goes to show how closely I look at my payslips! haha I always check off dates for relief work in case they forget a booking but I never really look at dates when on contracts; as long as they pay a fortnightly pay I am happy. But if I get another contract will look closer! Also got a little freaked out when on the notes section of the payslip it said my casual pay (relief work) was about to cease, didn't really understand this but then today I got a form to fill out to continue being a relief teacher for next year. So I guess they were just getting in early (2 months early!) to let me know the end of the year was coming and they weren't going to pay me (duhh!) until next year when I get to (once form is complete) be a relief teacher all over again (yay me lol)
Anywho should be going, need to get ready for an early night. Unlike last night I stayed up until almost 1am watching Walk the Line. I am surprised I was so awake today! When I was at uni I could do all nighters and then still attend class with no worries but these days I need my sleep!
Miss Snix.
Contemplating Things
It's been 13 days since I last worked. Originally by choice; I took last week off because I was fairly sick but have gotten somewhat better and feel ready to return to work. Unfortunately work has decided it is not ready for me haha. Monday was a pupil free day which was great! I went to the beach with my mother, sister, her three kids and my dog. I had a lot of fun swimming and playing in the water with niece. I was even good and went to bed early so I was prepared for an early morning call telling me where I was working that day, no call. So last night I went to bed early again (very unusual and hard for me!) and this morning still no call. So now I have 2 days left to get work otherwise my next payslip will be a big fat $0! I have never had that happen before so I wonder if they would even bother sending a payslip out. After this week there is only 7 more weeks left of the school year, which is about 3 or 4 paydays left before we break for 2 months so I need to start working hard and earning some money because I wouldn't be getting paid for the break. Kind of sucks how the one time of the year a relief teacher doesn't get the chance to earn any money is the same time of the year there is a lot of expenses to be paid with Christmas then New Years and then my birthday.
There was an article in my local newspaper's employment section today talking about which carers have skill shortages at the moment. And you guessed it! Education was listed as one of the top jobs where there isn't enough people. Are politicians blind or just plain stupid (please feel free to answer that!) because they are also talking about paying people to go to university to study education (nothing new they have been talking about it for a while) but I want to know how they can just blindly ignore all the fully qualified unemployed teachers there all ready is! The truth is classes are getting more and more over populated and it is not benefiting anyone. Why don't they just bring in more full time teachers so they can have smaller (or at least stay under the legal limit of children in a class many schools seem forced to ignore) classes. That way children get more attention they need and teachers actually get employed. But I guess that would be too easy. I graduated two years ago and in that time only one person that was in our Early Childhood group is now a permanent teacher. Out of the Primary graduates of my year I know only a few of them are permanent too. Some have become so disgruntled at it they have already left the profession. Just today I was talking to a friend who graduated with me and she has decided to go back to university to study for her Masters degree, not because she wants to continue her studies (she is not looking forward to returning to uni at all) but she hopes that when she finishes it will lead to other work opportunities that aren't too far away from what she originally wanted to do.
I have been looking at university courses online too (have been on and off for a while now) but the thing is I don't know what else I would want to do. And I think it would be horrible to just throw away four, long, hard years at uni studying for it. I started studying childcare when I was in year 11 and after high school went straight to uni to study teaching. I wanted to be a teacher and still do. But being a relief teacher can be hard work (don't get me wrong there is great bits too, it's good pay and if you get a bad class at least you only have them hopefully one day) and after a while it does make you question if you really want to keep doing it and if so for how long.
I love how I always think I don't really have much to write about and then it always turns into a rant haha it's very therapeutic!
Miss Snix.
There was an article in my local newspaper's employment section today talking about which carers have skill shortages at the moment. And you guessed it! Education was listed as one of the top jobs where there isn't enough people. Are politicians blind or just plain stupid (please feel free to answer that!) because they are also talking about paying people to go to university to study education (nothing new they have been talking about it for a while) but I want to know how they can just blindly ignore all the fully qualified unemployed teachers there all ready is! The truth is classes are getting more and more over populated and it is not benefiting anyone. Why don't they just bring in more full time teachers so they can have smaller (or at least stay under the legal limit of children in a class many schools seem forced to ignore) classes. That way children get more attention they need and teachers actually get employed. But I guess that would be too easy. I graduated two years ago and in that time only one person that was in our Early Childhood group is now a permanent teacher. Out of the Primary graduates of my year I know only a few of them are permanent too. Some have become so disgruntled at it they have already left the profession. Just today I was talking to a friend who graduated with me and she has decided to go back to university to study for her Masters degree, not because she wants to continue her studies (she is not looking forward to returning to uni at all) but she hopes that when she finishes it will lead to other work opportunities that aren't too far away from what she originally wanted to do.
I have been looking at university courses online too (have been on and off for a while now) but the thing is I don't know what else I would want to do. And I think it would be horrible to just throw away four, long, hard years at uni studying for it. I started studying childcare when I was in year 11 and after high school went straight to uni to study teaching. I wanted to be a teacher and still do. But being a relief teacher can be hard work (don't get me wrong there is great bits too, it's good pay and if you get a bad class at least you only have them hopefully one day) and after a while it does make you question if you really want to keep doing it and if so for how long.
I love how I always think I don't really have much to write about and then it always turns into a rant haha it's very therapeutic!
Miss Snix.
Sick Blah
Still sick. Still miserable. HAHA Thought I would share that. My nose is so blocked up I can barely breath. When I am not sneezing my head off I am coughing to the point of choking. But at least I have the sense this time to do something about it before it gets too bad (well badder than it already is). I took the day off today to see the doctor; I called at the start of the day, was put on hold for a long time and then told the earliest time I can see him is tomorrow. Agh typical! Whenever I get sick so does everyone else. So now I am taking tomorrow off too so hopefully the doctor will give me some happy pills and make the misery go away (far far away). Not overly concerned about taking some time off work, I got paid over the holidays so I can afford to take some time off and get better.
All I can say is thank god for the person who invented Vicks Inhaler; I've had that thing up my nose more times than I would like today but it seems to be providing some short term relief. I highly recommend it to anyone that gets to enjoy the pleasure of having a stuffy nose.
Later,
Miss Snix.
All I can say is thank god for the person who invented Vicks Inhaler; I've had that thing up my nose more times than I would like today but it seems to be providing some short term relief. I highly recommend it to anyone that gets to enjoy the pleasure of having a stuffy nose.
Later,
Miss Snix.
Back to work!
Well I am back at work after the holidays for term four and have already finished one week (only 9 more left for the school year!) and have also finished my contract. I am going to miss it. It is a really nice prep class with some lovely children and a great aide, actually all the staff were friendly and helpful which is so great! My time there went by so quickly it hardly felt like work, I guess it's true what they say 'time flies when you're having fun'. I had some really great experiences there, like a little girl who was afraid of everything (literally!) was freaking out (screaming and crying) everyday doing the obstacle course but on my second last day I managed to get her to try out the monkey bars with the other girls and she loved it! That is something I miss doing relief work; watching a child grow, learn and accomplish things over time. Also getting to know the children on a more personal level; like one child had a wobbly tooth before the holidays and when he came back it was still wobbly, it finally came out on my last day and he ran straight to me to show me and was so excited because we had been talking about it and building the excitement up to this moment for a while. Also on my last day one of the little girls decided to make a picture for me 'secretly' and got the aide to help her, they got all the children to sign their names (they are still learning to write!) during inside time and gave it to me before the aid was about to leave for the day. I thought it was so nice. And the girl in the bottom picture is ment to be me! haha It kind of looks like me too! Very artistic!
The aide was so lovely and thanked me and said she enjoyed working with me, which was more than mutual! The teacher from the class next to me who I worked along with also thanked me and came in to the room before I left to say goodbye and even a grandmother who looks after one of the girls I was teaching (who was away sick that day!) even came in to say a thank you and tell me how much she appreciated having me their. It was so nice because you don't normally get that kind of reaction when you relieve; you're there one day and gone the next and rarely have time to leave any impression so this was very special to me.
Something else I picked up during my last week there; a fresh cold! HAHAHA I think I have been sick more times this year than ever before! It started half way through the week with a sore throat (my aide was coughing all week and the kids were getting sick too) and then my body started aching and I was feeling miserable and now today my nose has started running :( At least if I am still feeling bad by Monday I can now take the day off and it won't affect anyone.
Not really looking forward to returning to relief work, I just hope I get good classes and the time flies by . . . I know it won't but I can dream!
Ciao,
Miss Snix.
The aide was so lovely and thanked me and said she enjoyed working with me, which was more than mutual! The teacher from the class next to me who I worked along with also thanked me and came in to the room before I left to say goodbye and even a grandmother who looks after one of the girls I was teaching (who was away sick that day!) even came in to say a thank you and tell me how much she appreciated having me their. It was so nice because you don't normally get that kind of reaction when you relieve; you're there one day and gone the next and rarely have time to leave any impression so this was very special to me.Something else I picked up during my last week there; a fresh cold! HAHAHA I think I have been sick more times this year than ever before! It started half way through the week with a sore throat (my aide was coughing all week and the kids were getting sick too) and then my body started aching and I was feeling miserable and now today my nose has started running :( At least if I am still feeling bad by Monday I can now take the day off and it won't affect anyone.
Not really looking forward to returning to relief work, I just hope I get good classes and the time flies by . . . I know it won't but I can dream!
Ciao,
Miss Snix.
Holiday Fun
The end of my two week holiday is fast approaching and has me thinking about what I have done during the holidays. Not a whole lot lol I had so many plans, well not really but I imagined I would be a lot more active than I have been but I guess the holidays are all about being lazy and relaxing. Firstly I was going to train my dog everyday with obedience (it's been almost four months since she graduated puppy preschool and then teen school) because she still only does the basics. I was told since she is a small dog she is perfect for learning performing tricks (my very own little circus dog!) and I was impressed with the ones the puppy teacher showed me but I haven't been consistent with my training so these holidays we were going to work on it everyday . . . lol We have done a couple of days and only the basics she already knows. But at least I have been taking her for a walk every afternoon. Exercice! Another thing I was going to do each day LOL I have used my wii fit a couple of times but the damn thing keeps telling me I am gaining weight every time I step on it so we are having some time away from each other lol I suppose it's not its fault I have been eating a lot these holidays. I eat when I am bored, somthing Dr Phil would not be impressed with. Speaking of which I have watched so many talk shows and morning shows and daytime shows and . . . basically I've watched a lot of TV, when I am awake that is lol Normally for work I walk up around 6am, my body gets so used to it most days I wake up before the alarm goes off but not in holidays! No alarm! And suddenly I am sleeping in until all hours of the day. I like sleep. I was proactive some days though, I cleaned my office (well I threw out half the crap sitting around and hid the other half in cupboards) and I took my dog to the beach twice (would have liked to more but got really weird cold/windy weather for several days) and am trying to teach her to swim (she is 7 months) the first time it was a little wavy and she got dunked under a couple of times and the next time we sat in a pool of water next to the ocean (lol no waves) but she had more fun climbing the rocks. Also today I have just booked a bus trip for this Sunday that I am looking forward to. The only thing is I will have to wake up at 5am for it and will get home around 8pm and then I get to go back to work on Monday with 25 revved up 5 year olds that will all no doubt still be on a holiday buzz.
I am actually not minding working the first week as it is the last week of my contract and I enjoy the class and it is nice having the same (well behaved!) class constantly. It is the week after that I am not looking forward to; back to relief work! Hopefully I will be blessed with well behaved classes and parents (LOL excuse me while I laugh my head off . . .) and just keep in mind there is ten weeks in this term and then the year is over and we break for a couple of months over Christmas. Last year I loved working in the last term, I was on contract all term as a P-3 key teacher and yr7 art teacher at the time. It was brilliant! My P-3 years I read Christmas stories and did worksheets related to it and did different Christmas art with the year 7s, I loved it! It was so much fun :~)
Anyway these holidays aren't even officially over and I am already counting down to the next holidays LOL Ten weeks to go . . . :~)
Take care all,
Miss Snix.
I am actually not minding working the first week as it is the last week of my contract and I enjoy the class and it is nice having the same (well behaved!) class constantly. It is the week after that I am not looking forward to; back to relief work! Hopefully I will be blessed with well behaved classes and parents (LOL excuse me while I laugh my head off . . .) and just keep in mind there is ten weeks in this term and then the year is over and we break for a couple of months over Christmas. Last year I loved working in the last term, I was on contract all term as a P-3 key teacher and yr7 art teacher at the time. It was brilliant! My P-3 years I read Christmas stories and did worksheets related to it and did different Christmas art with the year 7s, I loved it! It was so much fun :~)
Anyway these holidays aren't even officially over and I am already counting down to the next holidays LOL Ten weeks to go . . . :~)
Take care all,
Miss Snix.
