This morning I found myself smiling for no reason at all. As headed on my way to town, running shoes on, music playing, sun not shining, but it wasn't raining - I was in my own little world. I was so much in my own world it took me ten minutes to realize I was going the wrong direction, but once I realized I still didn't care. I was in no rush, I was just walking to town. It was that moment though, realizing I was I was lost, when it hit me. Even though school is hard work, I'm not with my best friends and missing them loads, I am happy. I am enjoying life. I have known for a while that I happy here, I absolutely love being here, but I had never really processed that or thought much about it.
Yesterday I had my palm read and I think that may have something to do with it. As I waited in line to get my palm read I began to get more and more nervous, thinking about where I am now in life, choices I have made, big or small, relationships, my health, everything came rushing back as well as a fear of the future. What if he tells me something I don't want to know? As I sat down in the chair and he said "Give me your right hand" all of that went away. I was committed and there's no going back. He explained all of the lines on my hands through life length and health, love (relationships, marriage and future husband), life goals, personality, everything. A big sigh of relief came from my life line. He said it is very deep, very solid and very long. This means I will have a long healthy life. There are no breaks and no crosses through it. As the time for my next set of tests approaches, my overactive mind does it thing and stirs up a lot of imagination. To hear him say you won't have any health problems seemed much more assuring than my doctors words this summer.
It was rather freaky, but also confirming how accurate he was in terms of lifestyle aspects. He was amazed by how many travel lines I have on my hand. I have 10 and as he repeated numerous times, the average person has 3. So when they say travelling is in my blood, or it is a part of me, it really is and it is something I will continue to do - for a long as my life line runs.
Shockingly enough, and the only point I had doubts was when he said I have lots of luck in terms of love. I asked him if that was "starting now?" But my husband is supposed to be some sort of triple threat. So we'll see. Maybe this chase for Prince Harry will pan out?
I continued my day with a friend from home, just wandering the streets of London. On my way home, and because of specific rail closures, had to make the most convoluted route back to Kings Cross I made friends with people on the underground and really got that feeling of "I am a local, this is where I live and this is my home."
I don't know if having my palm read and having some stranger confirm things I already knew about myself makes things more official, but I feel like a different person today.
I also find myself constantly looking back at the lines and thinking about what this man said to me. Scientifically speaking, the lines on your hand represent your identify, a unique code, but now, more than ever, they truly do represent my life, my personality, my journey.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Right Place
Week one on the "new" job almost complete and what a week it was. Important week for the school in terms of it's development and future, but an exciting, busy, educational week it was for me.
On Wednesday I got to spend the day with a lovely lady who observed a couple of lessons, helped me plan a couple more and then observed again. She was full of positive feedback and great suggestions to make things go even better. Although students are challenging in England (probably a HUGE generalization), the teacher support is phenomenal here. I have a Science specific mentor, I have a professional mentor, I have an overall teaching development mentor, I have a rant buddy in the school, and I also get to be involved in the teacher training program here which means I attend a lot more meetings, but full of excellent professional development. It is a lot of information coming from so many directions, but everyone is more than helpful and it's the support system built that really makes things smooth sailing.
Besides all of that, something great happened this week. With my added role of cover teacher I now get to explore other areas of the school other than just the dungeon of the Science corridor. As I was heading up to one my classes, I noticed something painted on the wall.
On Wednesday I got to spend the day with a lovely lady who observed a couple of lessons, helped me plan a couple more and then observed again. She was full of positive feedback and great suggestions to make things go even better. Although students are challenging in England (probably a HUGE generalization), the teacher support is phenomenal here. I have a Science specific mentor, I have a professional mentor, I have an overall teaching development mentor, I have a rant buddy in the school, and I also get to be involved in the teacher training program here which means I attend a lot more meetings, but full of excellent professional development. It is a lot of information coming from so many directions, but everyone is more than helpful and it's the support system built that really makes things smooth sailing.
Besides all of that, something great happened this week. With my added role of cover teacher I now get to explore other areas of the school other than just the dungeon of the Science corridor. As I was heading up to one my classes, I noticed something painted on the wall.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Lao Tzu
It was that moment that I knew I was in the right place. There is a reason that I was selected to be at this school and it is something much larger than it's a sports school and I like sports. I was brought here to teach and to learn. So far, I have done both and it's only getting better. My bad days at school are now limited. I have had nothing but gratifying comments from my past students in my Maths classes. It may not have seem like they appreciated me or what I had to offer very much, but 5 weeks later, and I'm no longer their teacher, it shows. Everything has come together this week. Everything I was hoping for in the first couple of weeks is now happening.
I find my confidence coming back daily. I had it, was hit by an unexpected force and now I'm getting back up. The cover lesson provide an exciting experience for a bit of trial and error. I have been given targets of what to work on, being in a cover lesson is a great place to try something new.
There's been times where some of the advice or feedback I have been given were comments about my personality. However, I really don't think my personality has had a chance to come through. I am fully adjusted, I know what to expect of the students, I know how to react to the students, I have friends at school even to the point of already playing jokes on people. I just feel my personality coming out now. I feel like I am finally experiencing this adventure. I am ready for whatever happens next.
I have been able to joke around with students in classes, in the corridors, on duty, I have finally been able to laugh and genuinely smile in class. I have had a good time in all of my classes this week and I am excited for next week!
Although unusual coming from an extreme optimist, I do know too, that although this week was great, that drive up the bumpy road is not over yet. There are still more hills to climb over, twists, turns and unstable ground to go over, but in the end, it's all worth it. I can't wait!
As for the personal life, I have signed up for an online photography course, so you all can expect lots more pictures soon! A whole group of mixed groups are going out tomorrow, all people my age too, so that will be nice, I am on the hunt for a football team and planning a trip to Scotland for half term which is in two weeks!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Then and Now
The past few days have come and gone in the blink of an eye. Since Thursday things have been completely non stop, extremely busy, but a great time.
Thursday started off a regular teaching day, but we were finished school at lunch time in order to prepare for open evening. Secondary schools here work much like Universities in that the students choose where they want to go versus being assigned to a school based on residency (because there are so many schools). In the Science department we ran a series of experiments that the prospective year 6s could participate in. I was lighting kids' hands on fire all night. Although that was exciting in itself, I was more enjoyable to see another side of my coworkers. We played music and just made the lonnnnggg night as much fun as we could. I say long because school ended at 1:20, we weren't allowed to leave school in the time between because of set up, and open evening ran from 5:30-9.
We also got a tour of the new building. It is incredible, I love it. So modern, and a real consideration into new pedagogical technologies was really taken into consideration of the design. I am exciting for the opportunities it can bring and really hope that the students rise to the challenge.
Friday I was involved in a science conference for new teachers. It was interesting, however I felt extremely out of place. Science teachers here call themselves scientists and are pretty hard core about their science. Science is their life. I like science, I enjoyed it in high school, but that's also when I stopped it. I found it difficult to talk to others because all they talked about chemical bonding, and other "sciencey" things. Although, I'm sure if it was the reverse and it was a physical education conference and a science teacher were there they'd probably say the same about us. It kind of made me feel bad for my students in a way as well, because all of these other teachers were so passionate about science and I have zero passion for science. Maybe it will develop? Or the biology unit will be way more exciting than the physics and chemistry!
Friday evening is when the real adventure began though. After the conference I officially started my real travelling. I booked myself a night in a hotel in central London. Which after walking around in circles, getting mixed directions from people and taxi driver telling me he wouldn't drive me because it was across the street, 1.5 hour later I was finally at the hotel. The hotel was not across the street, but a right turn, a left turn, 15 minutes down the street, another right turn and you're there. And it was pouring rain! It was at that point that I decided I would be horrible on the Amazing Race. It was all made worth it though by a nice big comfy bed without springs poking through and a long, hot, powerful shower and a room service dinner. It was tough to leave the next day (especially at 7:20am).
My hotel was the first pick up point, so my day started with a nice tour of London. It was nice at this time, pretty quiet, got to see a whole new side than what I'm used to. The bus slowly became more and more full, until it was completely jam packed. Out of random seating, I ended up finding myself in the middle of three grandmas travelling the world because they're retired TEACHERS. My escape from teaching and I still end up talking about school.
The first stop of the day was Windsor Castle. When I visited England in high school, I had done a tour of Windsor Castle. It was nice to see it again. I'm not a huge history person, and the way this tour was set up was perfect for me. The bus drives you to your locations, tells you when you need to be back on the bus and lets you go free. Our tour price included admission into the state rooms, so although I've seen them, it was nice to go through again. I walked through, at my own pace (much quicker than most), no tour guide, no one talking to me, just going through looking at what I want to. After the rooms, I still had plenty of time and wandered about taking pictures, and going through the little shops, taking in the atmosphere. One of the things I love about travelling is the culture and atmosphere of new places, but soaking that in often gets missed. You get so caught up in seeing the sites that you just look at things, but not really experience them. Although travelling on your own sometimes gets lonely, it is nice to be able to sit there and just take in the moment and really "see" the sites.
Our second stop of the day was the Roman Baths. Our time in Bath was short, enough time to wander the museum and that was about it. The museum was incredible though. We went right into a Roman Bath, saw the hot springs, the pools, etc. They provided the audio phones, which I started listening too, but gave up real quick. I found it much more interesting to walk around and imagine how it was used, what it was like, what it looked like just full of people bathing, what kind of community it created before all of the illness and then after the illnesses. It certain areas, the museum had these projections on the walls of videos that showed you the image. They videos of the people communicating, interacting, in and out of the pools and it really gave you the sense of what really happened. The museum was a lively piece of history. The town of Bath itself looked beautiful, full of cute shops and stories. I only got into two of those shops, an ice cream shop and a jewelry store where I bought my first piece of travel jewelry. Bath is definitely somewhere I will have to go back and visit.
The final stop of the day was Stonehenge. In high school I skipped out on going to Stonehenge, since then I have always wondered what it looked like. After seeing it, I am glad I didn't go 6 years ago. I actually really enjoyed seeing it, but that was the photographer in me coming out. As a tourist 6 years ago I would not have been interested at all and would have then missed out on the opportunities I had yesterday.
Revisiting some of the sites I did 6 years ago has been a great opportunity to look back on how far I have come, what I have done, what I still have yet to do, how much I have changed and how much I have learned. It's been pretty obvious each year through University how much I have changed, I am no longer that shy, quiet girl, scared of everything. Through this travelling and thinking back on the last time I visited these places, and how I see them now really provides some concrete evidence and enlightens me to those facts.
This week I start the new adventure of science only, and embark on a new teaching journey. I am nervous, excited, scared, but ready for the challenge! I really am going to miss some of my students that I will no longer be teaching and there others that I could not jump any higher of joy that I will not be seeing. All of my doubts of my impact were washed away by my year 7s on Thursday when after telling them I won't be their teacher anymore I was attacked in group hug of little kids. It has also confirmed for me the age group I like teaching. At home I am trained in middle school. Here I have been teaching the lower levels of high school. I belong in the middle school world and have started the hunt for a new location and a middle school for next years adventure.
You can find my pictures from Saturday here.
Thursday started off a regular teaching day, but we were finished school at lunch time in order to prepare for open evening. Secondary schools here work much like Universities in that the students choose where they want to go versus being assigned to a school based on residency (because there are so many schools). In the Science department we ran a series of experiments that the prospective year 6s could participate in. I was lighting kids' hands on fire all night. Although that was exciting in itself, I was more enjoyable to see another side of my coworkers. We played music and just made the lonnnnggg night as much fun as we could. I say long because school ended at 1:20, we weren't allowed to leave school in the time between because of set up, and open evening ran from 5:30-9.
We also got a tour of the new building. It is incredible, I love it. So modern, and a real consideration into new pedagogical technologies was really taken into consideration of the design. I am exciting for the opportunities it can bring and really hope that the students rise to the challenge.
Friday I was involved in a science conference for new teachers. It was interesting, however I felt extremely out of place. Science teachers here call themselves scientists and are pretty hard core about their science. Science is their life. I like science, I enjoyed it in high school, but that's also when I stopped it. I found it difficult to talk to others because all they talked about chemical bonding, and other "sciencey" things. Although, I'm sure if it was the reverse and it was a physical education conference and a science teacher were there they'd probably say the same about us. It kind of made me feel bad for my students in a way as well, because all of these other teachers were so passionate about science and I have zero passion for science. Maybe it will develop? Or the biology unit will be way more exciting than the physics and chemistry!
Friday evening is when the real adventure began though. After the conference I officially started my real travelling. I booked myself a night in a hotel in central London. Which after walking around in circles, getting mixed directions from people and taxi driver telling me he wouldn't drive me because it was across the street, 1.5 hour later I was finally at the hotel. The hotel was not across the street, but a right turn, a left turn, 15 minutes down the street, another right turn and you're there. And it was pouring rain! It was at that point that I decided I would be horrible on the Amazing Race. It was all made worth it though by a nice big comfy bed without springs poking through and a long, hot, powerful shower and a room service dinner. It was tough to leave the next day (especially at 7:20am).
My hotel was the first pick up point, so my day started with a nice tour of London. It was nice at this time, pretty quiet, got to see a whole new side than what I'm used to. The bus slowly became more and more full, until it was completely jam packed. Out of random seating, I ended up finding myself in the middle of three grandmas travelling the world because they're retired TEACHERS. My escape from teaching and I still end up talking about school.
The first stop of the day was Windsor Castle. When I visited England in high school, I had done a tour of Windsor Castle. It was nice to see it again. I'm not a huge history person, and the way this tour was set up was perfect for me. The bus drives you to your locations, tells you when you need to be back on the bus and lets you go free. Our tour price included admission into the state rooms, so although I've seen them, it was nice to go through again. I walked through, at my own pace (much quicker than most), no tour guide, no one talking to me, just going through looking at what I want to. After the rooms, I still had plenty of time and wandered about taking pictures, and going through the little shops, taking in the atmosphere. One of the things I love about travelling is the culture and atmosphere of new places, but soaking that in often gets missed. You get so caught up in seeing the sites that you just look at things, but not really experience them. Although travelling on your own sometimes gets lonely, it is nice to be able to sit there and just take in the moment and really "see" the sites.
Our second stop of the day was the Roman Baths. Our time in Bath was short, enough time to wander the museum and that was about it. The museum was incredible though. We went right into a Roman Bath, saw the hot springs, the pools, etc. They provided the audio phones, which I started listening too, but gave up real quick. I found it much more interesting to walk around and imagine how it was used, what it was like, what it looked like just full of people bathing, what kind of community it created before all of the illness and then after the illnesses. It certain areas, the museum had these projections on the walls of videos that showed you the image. They videos of the people communicating, interacting, in and out of the pools and it really gave you the sense of what really happened. The museum was a lively piece of history. The town of Bath itself looked beautiful, full of cute shops and stories. I only got into two of those shops, an ice cream shop and a jewelry store where I bought my first piece of travel jewelry. Bath is definitely somewhere I will have to go back and visit.
The final stop of the day was Stonehenge. In high school I skipped out on going to Stonehenge, since then I have always wondered what it looked like. After seeing it, I am glad I didn't go 6 years ago. I actually really enjoyed seeing it, but that was the photographer in me coming out. As a tourist 6 years ago I would not have been interested at all and would have then missed out on the opportunities I had yesterday.
Revisiting some of the sites I did 6 years ago has been a great opportunity to look back on how far I have come, what I have done, what I still have yet to do, how much I have changed and how much I have learned. It's been pretty obvious each year through University how much I have changed, I am no longer that shy, quiet girl, scared of everything. Through this travelling and thinking back on the last time I visited these places, and how I see them now really provides some concrete evidence and enlightens me to those facts.
This week I start the new adventure of science only, and embark on a new teaching journey. I am nervous, excited, scared, but ready for the challenge! I really am going to miss some of my students that I will no longer be teaching and there others that I could not jump any higher of joy that I will not be seeing. All of my doubts of my impact were washed away by my year 7s on Thursday when after telling them I won't be their teacher anymore I was attacked in group hug of little kids. It has also confirmed for me the age group I like teaching. At home I am trained in middle school. Here I have been teaching the lower levels of high school. I belong in the middle school world and have started the hunt for a new location and a middle school for next years adventure.
You can find my pictures from Saturday here.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Time for a Change...
So remember when I was comparing working at this school to that old wooden roller coaster, well I've been on a nice steady ride, until yesterday. I got thrown for a loop. A nice big, upside down, backwards, corkscrew kind of loop.
Just as I was getting comfortable in my classroom, getting to know my students a little better, I get told I am getting a completely new schedule. I am being shifted out of the math(s) department and completely into the science department, instead of a being a little bit in each.
The head of science is pregnant and begins her maternity leave next Friday. The original plan was to hire a new teacher. Plan hasn't fully worked out and I will be taking over some of her classes and the TA I had in my math classes will be taking over my classes.
This process all begins on Monday. Monday is also the day of our mock OFSTEAD inspection, so kind of a big day in the school, and probably not the best for all of these changes to go down, especially as we are now officially at the beginning of our strike.
As much as I enjoy teaching math, I see this as a great and exciting opportunity. I will definitely miss some of my classes and some of my students and there are others that I have done a little celebration dance as I walk out of the classroom. My next week if full of me observing lessons, my lessons being observed and a whole bunch of coaching before the head leaves. It's a great time for my own development personally, but also for my belonging in the school. For me, Monday is like the first day of school all over again. New faces, new classrooms, new start, new routines. This is a chance to take that coaching I have received over the past couple of weeks and practice it with a clean slate.
I also found out today that because my schedule will be reduced now with this new timetable I will also be doing some cover lessons. This means, supply work within the school. Which is another opportunity to check out other classrooms and things going on in the school, and maybe even step foot into a gymnasium!
School lately has been great, but I use that term loosely. It's been great compared to what it is and has been. There's not actually a lot great about it, but for me, I have my head back in the right place and it's not such a depressing place to be anymore. I try to enjoy myself much more, and like most things, find the bright side - and there is always one no matter how long and how dark that tunnel may be. I've stopped stressing about changing my personality and other teachers calling me too nice and am just sticking with what I know best and that's how to be me. It may take a little extra longer in terms of the initial behaviour management. But there's a couple of classes with troublesome kids that I have gained a lot more respect in because of the interest I show in them. I can't do this babysitting thing all day, so I am doing what I can to teach these kids a little something.
My true passion is sport for development, which is teaching life skills through sport. Unfortunately I don't have as my vehicle for learning, but I do have the opportunity to help instil those same life skills into these students. Which in reality is something they need most right now.
This past weekend I had some family time and hung out with my Godmother Louise in London, wandering the streets of Covent Garden and walking along the river. This coming weekend I am heading to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the Roman Baths. I am very excited to really begin my travels and for the photo opportunities it brings.
It's been a lovely week with a few phone calls home and catching up, school has gone well, and I finally get a tour of the new building tomorrow! Friday I am off for a day development in teaching science, and then ready to begin my lovely weekend with a night in a hotel and a hot, powerful shower!
Will definitely be thinking of everyone at home this weekend as you enjoy your turkey dinners. I have ground turkey, that I will have to cook up and have my own little Thanksgiving dinner!
Just as I was getting comfortable in my classroom, getting to know my students a little better, I get told I am getting a completely new schedule. I am being shifted out of the math(s) department and completely into the science department, instead of a being a little bit in each.
The head of science is pregnant and begins her maternity leave next Friday. The original plan was to hire a new teacher. Plan hasn't fully worked out and I will be taking over some of her classes and the TA I had in my math classes will be taking over my classes.
This process all begins on Monday. Monday is also the day of our mock OFSTEAD inspection, so kind of a big day in the school, and probably not the best for all of these changes to go down, especially as we are now officially at the beginning of our strike.
As much as I enjoy teaching math, I see this as a great and exciting opportunity. I will definitely miss some of my classes and some of my students and there are others that I have done a little celebration dance as I walk out of the classroom. My next week if full of me observing lessons, my lessons being observed and a whole bunch of coaching before the head leaves. It's a great time for my own development personally, but also for my belonging in the school. For me, Monday is like the first day of school all over again. New faces, new classrooms, new start, new routines. This is a chance to take that coaching I have received over the past couple of weeks and practice it with a clean slate.
I also found out today that because my schedule will be reduced now with this new timetable I will also be doing some cover lessons. This means, supply work within the school. Which is another opportunity to check out other classrooms and things going on in the school, and maybe even step foot into a gymnasium!
School lately has been great, but I use that term loosely. It's been great compared to what it is and has been. There's not actually a lot great about it, but for me, I have my head back in the right place and it's not such a depressing place to be anymore. I try to enjoy myself much more, and like most things, find the bright side - and there is always one no matter how long and how dark that tunnel may be. I've stopped stressing about changing my personality and other teachers calling me too nice and am just sticking with what I know best and that's how to be me. It may take a little extra longer in terms of the initial behaviour management. But there's a couple of classes with troublesome kids that I have gained a lot more respect in because of the interest I show in them. I can't do this babysitting thing all day, so I am doing what I can to teach these kids a little something.
My true passion is sport for development, which is teaching life skills through sport. Unfortunately I don't have as my vehicle for learning, but I do have the opportunity to help instil those same life skills into these students. Which in reality is something they need most right now.
This past weekend I had some family time and hung out with my Godmother Louise in London, wandering the streets of Covent Garden and walking along the river. This coming weekend I am heading to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the Roman Baths. I am very excited to really begin my travels and for the photo opportunities it brings.
It's been a lovely week with a few phone calls home and catching up, school has gone well, and I finally get a tour of the new building tomorrow! Friday I am off for a day development in teaching science, and then ready to begin my lovely weekend with a night in a hotel and a hot, powerful shower!
Will definitely be thinking of everyone at home this weekend as you enjoy your turkey dinners. I have ground turkey, that I will have to cook up and have my own little Thanksgiving dinner!
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