I am on holidays!!! lol just a little bit happy about that! I had a great day today, well the whole week was good, but today was really nice. I only had 14 (turned into 13 when one was picked up half way through the day) out of the normally 25 children attend, so it was a nice small group. The teacher next to me offered to give me some some of hers to even the numbers out lol no thanks! Unfortunately two children with 'big personalities' (it's my nice way of saying disruptive lol) were there and tried to make their presence noticed but that didn't matter because the rest of the children were so lovely. I thought being the last day they would be very worked up but they weren't. We did a big clear up today, wiped everything over and sent things home. One parent made a joke about getting things (made in 'box construction' area that really only the child can tell what it is) sent home everyday lol well it is their special little treasures. The aide that was filling in for the regular one did a great job cleaning out all the block and paint area and helping with everything, she was so nice and friendly. I felt bad because I never got a chance to say thank you or goodbye because I had to rush my kids off to the library while she was still watching over another class at the end of lunch waiting for their teacher to collect them and when we got back she had finished for the day. But she told me where she normally works in the school so I might go see her first week back to say thanks for everything.
Anyway so happy I am on holidays even though I know it will fly by, always the way isn't it!? lol
Miss Snix
So Tired!
My self imposed strike has come to an end. I am back working; full time! Quite impressed with myself lol So far I have worked three days in a row and am absolutely exhausted! I am on contract at the moment teaching prep. Basically I have 25 five year olds keeping me on my toes all day. But its okay, they are a nice bunch. There are only a couple with behaviour problems and compared to some children's behaviour I have dealt with in the past this is a breeze. The kids were a bit worked up today, their normal aid is away at training so there was a new one in that I had to explain things to (even though I don't really know where anything is myself), it was also free dress day which got them all excitable, and it is very close to the holidays. I can't wait for the holidays!!! Two weeks to just relax (of course I am ignoring the fact that I recently decided to have a gap of ten days between jobs) And the best bit is I do get paid for the holidays as part of my contract! When I got to the school on Monday the register took me into her office and filled out the paperwork for me, most schools give it to you and make you fill out all your details but this is a nice friendly school who did it for me (apparently they can look it all up on the system but other schools are obviously just to lazy to do it) and all I had to do was sign it, while she was filling it out I noticed the dates she put down covered the holidays so I asked and was assured it did cover them. Yay!
The prep class next to mine has a 15 year old work experience girl in it at the moment, quite interesting talking to her. She says when she finishes school she is going to become a prep teacher, nothing else, just a prep teacher. Bless her little heart thinking it is that easy. I remember when I started uni I wanted to be a preschool teacher (back in the day before prep replaced it), it wasn't until the last semester in my second last year of uni that I realised I didn't mind teaching primary years (coincidentaly it was the first time the uni let us have experience with primary classes), it was a good thing I did since most my work is in the primary years. I even get a lot of work in the upper years which I am qualified to teach but personally don't think I am well trained in, ohh well. But it would be nice to say I am going to be teach a specific grade and actually land a job straight away doing that lol In an ideal world maybe but I didn't say anything to her, didn't want to crush her enthusiastic blind dream. Good luck to her lol
I got a letter this week from the department of Education informing me that they are changing the rating system of new teachers. When I graduated I was given a rating of 'S1 outstanding' which meant I was first in line for permanent jobs (two years later, still not permanent hmm). . .excuse me for a moment while I finish laughing my head off. Anywho they have changed all the ratings and there is no more S ratings (not really sure what the S stood for anyway). Instead my 'S1 outstanding' rating has been replaced by 'High Performing Applicant' Sounds good doesn't it? Except I was fairly chuffed being outstanding now I am merely high performing, it is still the highest one but isn't as impressive to me. Ohh well it's not like it has helped my employment situation anyway, and there has been several more rounds of graduates come out after me all fighting for a job as well. The rating system clearly doesn't mean much since it can't guarantee jobs even to the states so called top teachers so why do they even bother rating teachings. I have a friend who only got a S2 rating and yet she gets the same amount of relief work as I do. Pointless if you ask me. Anyway I should be getting some sleep soon, two more days until holidays. Did I mention how much I am looking forward to holidays!?!
Catch you later,
Miss Snix.
The prep class next to mine has a 15 year old work experience girl in it at the moment, quite interesting talking to her. She says when she finishes school she is going to become a prep teacher, nothing else, just a prep teacher. Bless her little heart thinking it is that easy. I remember when I started uni I wanted to be a preschool teacher (back in the day before prep replaced it), it wasn't until the last semester in my second last year of uni that I realised I didn't mind teaching primary years (coincidentaly it was the first time the uni let us have experience with primary classes), it was a good thing I did since most my work is in the primary years. I even get a lot of work in the upper years which I am qualified to teach but personally don't think I am well trained in, ohh well. But it would be nice to say I am going to be teach a specific grade and actually land a job straight away doing that lol In an ideal world maybe but I didn't say anything to her, didn't want to crush her enthusiastic blind dream. Good luck to her lol
I got a letter this week from the department of Education informing me that they are changing the rating system of new teachers. When I graduated I was given a rating of 'S1 outstanding' which meant I was first in line for permanent jobs (two years later, still not permanent hmm). . .excuse me for a moment while I finish laughing my head off. Anywho they have changed all the ratings and there is no more S ratings (not really sure what the S stood for anyway). Instead my 'S1 outstanding' rating has been replaced by 'High Performing Applicant' Sounds good doesn't it? Except I was fairly chuffed being outstanding now I am merely high performing, it is still the highest one but isn't as impressive to me. Ohh well it's not like it has helped my employment situation anyway, and there has been several more rounds of graduates come out after me all fighting for a job as well. The rating system clearly doesn't mean much since it can't guarantee jobs even to the states so called top teachers so why do they even bother rating teachings. I have a friend who only got a S2 rating and yet she gets the same amount of relief work as I do. Pointless if you ask me. Anyway I should be getting some sleep soon, two more days until holidays. Did I mention how much I am looking forward to holidays!?!
Catch you later,
Miss Snix.
On Strike
So this week I have decided I am on strike. I don't know exactly what I am striking but I have just decided I am not working. And it feels so good. I didn't set out not to work this week, it kind of just turned out that way. A couple of weeks ago I told the company that organises relief work that I was taking this Thursday and Friday off. I took Thursday off because I had to take my dog to the vet and Friday because I am going to spend the whole weekend away from home and needed time to get ready for it. And then this past weekend I unexpectedly spent very little time at home instead was very busy so decided to take Monday off to rest from it. I did some shopping and the day went very quickly . . . so I decided to take Tuesday off to spend some time at home. I did that and then had full intention to work Wednesday but decided why bother spoiling a nice relaxing week. So that is how I come to have the week off. I am not overly concerned about it because I start my contract next week which spans over the two week holidays so I get paid for the weeks I work and the holiday weeks in between. And at least I will be nice and relaxed going into my contract job. The past few weeks have not been the greatest for me, professionally and personally. I have had to deal with a lot in my personal life that has not put me in the best mood for work. So my self indulged lazy week has been great for rejuvenating myself.
I got my pay check this week, the wonderful people who pay me made two somewhat big mistakes. First they double paid me one of my supply days (awesome money!) unfortunatly they realised this and called this morning and said it would be taken off my next pay check (hmm damn). They also paid me for two contracts (I only had one so basically they double paid me for it), contract money sucks (I have bitched about it a bit on here lol) but doubling it also makes it the same as supply money. So far they have not realised their mistake with this one and I am not rushing to tell them. After all it was a contract I never wanted to sign and it was also when I had to deal with a certain not so friendly parent so in my eyes I have more than earned the money lol It's like what one teacher once told me "you need to look after yourself in this business because no-one else will" which is so true! The respect level relief teachers (even those on short contracts) is very low I find in schools because we are not 'regular' teachers. Well we would be if the education department would find us 'regular' jobs and not have us rely on being relief teachers because it is all we can do to be paid in the profession we want to work in. So since they are not overly keen on helping us why should we (I) tell them when they make such stupid (on their behalf) mistakes that benefit me. Ohh ranting . . . lol
Anyway, take care all!
Miss Snix.
I got my pay check this week, the wonderful people who pay me made two somewhat big mistakes. First they double paid me one of my supply days (awesome money!) unfortunatly they realised this and called this morning and said it would be taken off my next pay check (hmm damn). They also paid me for two contracts (I only had one so basically they double paid me for it), contract money sucks (I have bitched about it a bit on here lol) but doubling it also makes it the same as supply money. So far they have not realised their mistake with this one and I am not rushing to tell them. After all it was a contract I never wanted to sign and it was also when I had to deal with a certain not so friendly parent so in my eyes I have more than earned the money lol It's like what one teacher once told me "you need to look after yourself in this business because no-one else will" which is so true! The respect level relief teachers (even those on short contracts) is very low I find in schools because we are not 'regular' teachers. Well we would be if the education department would find us 'regular' jobs and not have us rely on being relief teachers because it is all we can do to be paid in the profession we want to work in. So since they are not overly keen on helping us why should we (I) tell them when they make such stupid (on their behalf) mistakes that benefit me. Ohh ranting . . . lol
Anyway, take care all!
Miss Snix.
Verbally Attacked!
Today I had a grade one class and this morning I just walked into the classroom door when a parent came up behind virtually yelling at me that she didn't want me taking her daughters class because I was very mean and nasty to the class (I had them three days last week and her daughter was very well behaved, but they did have a different teacher the day before, so I probably taking the flack for them!) she went on about her not liking me screaming at the kids, I interrupted her and 'politely' told her I have never screamed at a child as I think that is unprofessional and personally I wouldn't do it. She responded "Well. . . maybe you haven't but I have seen another supply teacher do it and I know you lot are all the same" She went on and on about how her child hates me and didn't want to go to school today (the kids didn't even know I was taking them today though). She finished off by saying "I have already spoken to all the other parents outside about you so now I am telling you to your face!" I finally got rid of her and later in the day spoke to her daughter, who is lovely and kept telling me knock knock jokes all day (clearly hating me - not lol) and found out she is being bullied by some girls in the class (but do you think the mother would want to hear that? No! Heaven forbid that is the reason she doesn't want to go to school. No, it's the teacher who hasn't had them all weeks fault!) I told the two SEU teachers who came in to help me today and they were appalled and said they would speak to the normal teacher next time she is there. They also came back before the bell in the afternoon to 'guard the door' for me lol I knew the parents at the school were bad (yesterday at lunch the ones and two teachers who I have lunch with were saying how rude they were) but I never imagined I would be verbally attacked by one over something I never did. It is so stupid but it has really upset me. I was meant to be working there tomorrow but made up a lie about having a dental appointment, The principal wasn't impressed saying I was on contract and I couldn't break it (my contract finished yesterday and I already took the Monday off anyway). Aghh! I am over it. I am going to have a nice LONG weekend and hopefully have a nice, pyhco-parent-free time next week.
Sick of Being Sick!
Well I have done it once again, I have got and found myself another illness. It started Wednesday night. All I did was sneeze which made my throat sore and when I woke up in the morning I felt horrible, and after working all day I realised I had a full blown cold. Aghh I hate being sick! My whole body ached and felt like it was turning against me! I am feeling a little better today; not sneezing but still have a stuffy nose and now have a wonderfully horrible cough that is annoying! At least I have a long weekend to get over it. Friday was a holiday here and I have taken Monday off (have to take my dog to the vet so I thought that deserves a day off).
Last week was an alright week. Monday was actually very nice, it was a TRS day and I taught 3 prep classes and 1 grade three class. The day was fairly easy and flew by. The next three days were a different story. Each day was so long and it felt like the week was never going to end! I had the same grade one class all three days and they were little monsters! All the teacher aids that came into the room kept warning me how bad they were. The majority of the class were wonderful but a handful were just so full on it was unbelievable! And on the Tuesday as I was signing in at the office I was presented with . . . you guessed it . . . a contract to sign! I was not pleased with this since I had been booked for supply work and only took it all because the money would be great going into the holidays. I just don't understand, if they want you to be on a contract then why don't they just ask you! Instead they book you, get you there and then slap you with a damn contract! I have a contract coming up soon and I have no problem with that because that school called and asked directly if I would mind taking the contract; it is nice when they are honest with you. I told her I was unaware it was a contract and I got the response "Well when we book teachers to replace ours that are doing training it is always on contract" . . . well how was I to know I was replace a teacher doing training or that is how their school runs, no-one said anything about that to me when I was booked! And apparently only 6 of the 9 days I was book is on the contract (the office lady started running dates off to me like I had a diary or calendar in front of me!) and when I told her I couldn't work Monday anymore I was told "but that's one of your contract days" . . .bad luck lol so I guess I know that I am at least getting paid supply pay for 3 days. I am meant to be doing more TRS this week, I think this is were they might give me the grade fives I previously ranted about (I know I am getting good at ranting lol) and then the last two days of the week are booked for a year one class (not sure if it's the same or a different one) unless they change their might and do something else with me (wouldn't surprise me).
Anywho that's my little rant of the day lol
It is a very nice day here today, the sun is out shining and the weather is starting to warm up and . . . I sound like Snuffleupagus lol
Only 3 more weeks until the holidays :-) Where has the time gone???
Miss Snix.
Last week was an alright week. Monday was actually very nice, it was a TRS day and I taught 3 prep classes and 1 grade three class. The day was fairly easy and flew by. The next three days were a different story. Each day was so long and it felt like the week was never going to end! I had the same grade one class all three days and they were little monsters! All the teacher aids that came into the room kept warning me how bad they were. The majority of the class were wonderful but a handful were just so full on it was unbelievable! And on the Tuesday as I was signing in at the office I was presented with . . . you guessed it . . . a contract to sign! I was not pleased with this since I had been booked for supply work and only took it all because the money would be great going into the holidays. I just don't understand, if they want you to be on a contract then why don't they just ask you! Instead they book you, get you there and then slap you with a damn contract! I have a contract coming up soon and I have no problem with that because that school called and asked directly if I would mind taking the contract; it is nice when they are honest with you. I told her I was unaware it was a contract and I got the response "Well when we book teachers to replace ours that are doing training it is always on contract" . . . well how was I to know I was replace a teacher doing training or that is how their school runs, no-one said anything about that to me when I was booked! And apparently only 6 of the 9 days I was book is on the contract (the office lady started running dates off to me like I had a diary or calendar in front of me!) and when I told her I couldn't work Monday anymore I was told "but that's one of your contract days" . . .bad luck lol so I guess I know that I am at least getting paid supply pay for 3 days. I am meant to be doing more TRS this week, I think this is were they might give me the grade fives I previously ranted about (I know I am getting good at ranting lol) and then the last two days of the week are booked for a year one class (not sure if it's the same or a different one) unless they change their might and do something else with me (wouldn't surprise me).
Anywho that's my little rant of the day lol
It is a very nice day here today, the sun is out shining and the weather is starting to warm up and . . . I sound like Snuffleupagus lol
Only 3 more weeks until the holidays :-) Where has the time gone???
Miss Snix.
A lot of Work and Very Little Care
Well last week I took three days off and only worked 2 days by choice, it was very nice actually. Unfortunately or fortunately however you look at it, right now I am looking at it as an unfortunate thing, I have been booked to do two weeks straight of supply teaching in one school. It was the school I worked at on Monday, they liked me and I know the office lady when she worked at another school, so they kept calling and calling booking me for different days until the two weeks were full. I haven't taught at the school much, I taught there last year in the uppers and didn't like it but I think this past Monday might have been the first time there this year, it was in a junior class and wasn't too bad. It is good that at least I won't be woken up for two weeks being booked in the morning, and the pay will be good. But I am personally really really really (yes, that much really!) not in the mood for it.
I have had a miserable weekend. I woke up on Saturday morning to find my pet guinea pig had passed away, which has just devastated me more than I realised it would. I am the type of person who gets so emotionally attached to pets and I have been crying nonstop all weekend thinking there was something I should have done. She had been a little down for a few days; not eating much and looking very sleepy. But I thought she was picking up, she was running around and starting to eat a little so it just came as a very big shock. I feel so heart broken at the moment, I miss my little girl. I have another guinea pig, her sister, who is now by herself. On Saturday you could see her looking for her. I am so worried she will fret without her sister, she is three years old and they have been together their whole life but so far she seems to be okay. She is still running around and eating and she has my little dog that visits her each day. My dog lays next to the cage and they look at each other nose to nose. I think she knew her sister was sick and that she is in a better place now. I think she is dealing with it a lot better than I am. I feel like an emotional wreak at the moment.
My TV broke last night. Don't know what happened, pressed the on button but nothing happened. It just stopped working, I have had it since I was a child so am surprised it worked as long as it did. Normally things like this wouldn't bother me, I would just buy a new one. But instead I burst into tears and cried myself to sleep, I know it had nothing to do with the TV. So today I went and bought a new TV. I set it all up but then the damn VCR wouldn't work with it, all I did was take the cords out of the old TV and put them in the same slots in the new one. So I ripped the VCR, top box and PlayStation cords all out of each other (probably not necessary but whatever at this stage!), put them all back (I swear they were in the same slots as before) and the damn thing worked!
I am just feeling so stressed out and like I have no control over anything at the moment. And the last thing I feel like doing is working. I am teaching a mixture of classes, for a few days I am meant to be teaching a grade one class which I hope will be nice and the other days I am doing TRS work which means I will fill in for teachers for a few hours at a time, so I will be teaching different grades in one day. I told the person that booked me that I only teach the early years now (here early years is prep to year 3) her response "that's okay the highest class you will have is a couple of year 5 classes". How on earth is year 5 early years!?! I am doing a TRS day tomorrow. I just pray that the week goes quickly.
Until next time; be well all!
Miss Snix.
I have had a miserable weekend. I woke up on Saturday morning to find my pet guinea pig had passed away, which has just devastated me more than I realised it would. I am the type of person who gets so emotionally attached to pets and I have been crying nonstop all weekend thinking there was something I should have done. She had been a little down for a few days; not eating much and looking very sleepy. But I thought she was picking up, she was running around and starting to eat a little so it just came as a very big shock. I feel so heart broken at the moment, I miss my little girl. I have another guinea pig, her sister, who is now by herself. On Saturday you could see her looking for her. I am so worried she will fret without her sister, she is three years old and they have been together their whole life but so far she seems to be okay. She is still running around and eating and she has my little dog that visits her each day. My dog lays next to the cage and they look at each other nose to nose. I think she knew her sister was sick and that she is in a better place now. I think she is dealing with it a lot better than I am. I feel like an emotional wreak at the moment.
My TV broke last night. Don't know what happened, pressed the on button but nothing happened. It just stopped working, I have had it since I was a child so am surprised it worked as long as it did. Normally things like this wouldn't bother me, I would just buy a new one. But instead I burst into tears and cried myself to sleep, I know it had nothing to do with the TV. So today I went and bought a new TV. I set it all up but then the damn VCR wouldn't work with it, all I did was take the cords out of the old TV and put them in the same slots in the new one. So I ripped the VCR, top box and PlayStation cords all out of each other (probably not necessary but whatever at this stage!), put them all back (I swear they were in the same slots as before) and the damn thing worked!
I am just feeling so stressed out and like I have no control over anything at the moment. And the last thing I feel like doing is working. I am teaching a mixture of classes, for a few days I am meant to be teaching a grade one class which I hope will be nice and the other days I am doing TRS work which means I will fill in for teachers for a few hours at a time, so I will be teaching different grades in one day. I told the person that booked me that I only teach the early years now (here early years is prep to year 3) her response "that's okay the highest class you will have is a couple of year 5 classes". How on earth is year 5 early years!?! I am doing a TRS day tomorrow. I just pray that the week goes quickly.
Until next time; be well all!
Miss Snix.
New Job
I got a phone call tonight . . . or last night since it has just gone past midnight (hmm really should go to bed soon lol) Anyway! I got a phone call from a principal of a school that I had done a bit of supply work for offering me a small contract. I accepted! It is teaching a prep class (that I have taught before; it's a good class) for a week before the holidays and a week after the holidays. It is only a short contract so I am guessing (hoping) the normal teacher will have left planning for me to teach, which would be nice! ALso since there is a holiday in the middle I am guessing (again hoping) that will cover holiday pay. It is a big school that is continually enrolling and expanding so this might be a nice way to get my foot in the door for something further, especially since next term they will be looking at classes and positions for next year! And if you have a job in the first couple of next year then you have a better shot of making it permanent. But I am getting way ahead of myself! It doesn't start for a few more weeks so in that time I might get more work at the school which would be great and give me a chance to talk to the teacher I am filling in for. Aghh I am rambling again. . . I am good at that! lol
I got a phone call yesterday from a school I worked at last week (not one of my favorite schools; very stressful!) while I was at work at another wanting to book me for the next day. Apparently I have become their 'number one relief teacher' because I know how to 'handle' the students (in other words they annoyed me so badly I laid down the law and the principal really liked that - go figure) I wasn't too keen on this so I took the day off and spent the time cleaning at home which was quite nice since I spent all last week and the weekend away from home, my poor dog didn't know what I was doing here! lol Today was actually a nice day, yesterday it was so freeing!!! Aghh I hate Winter! And it seems to be getting colder, it didn't help having wind and rain yesterday either especially when it meant the kids had to have a wet lunch (they eat and then come straight back to class)and were restless and worked up from the weather and being stuck inside all day; didn't blame them!
Anywho . . .I seriously need to get some sleep!
Miss Snix
I got a phone call yesterday from a school I worked at last week (not one of my favorite schools; very stressful!) while I was at work at another wanting to book me for the next day. Apparently I have become their 'number one relief teacher' because I know how to 'handle' the students (in other words they annoyed me so badly I laid down the law and the principal really liked that - go figure) I wasn't too keen on this so I took the day off and spent the time cleaning at home which was quite nice since I spent all last week and the weekend away from home, my poor dog didn't know what I was doing here! lol Today was actually a nice day, yesterday it was so freeing!!! Aghh I hate Winter! And it seems to be getting colder, it didn't help having wind and rain yesterday either especially when it meant the kids had to have a wet lunch (they eat and then come straight back to class)and were restless and worked up from the weather and being stuck inside all day; didn't blame them!
Anywho . . .I seriously need to get some sleep!
Miss Snix
