Observations

I am being observed tomorrow. I only found out yesterday and after being asked by my mentor if it was okay, at first I said it was not, as my TA is off sick and it wasn't much time to prepare. I also have my NQT time this thursday morning and so I didn't want to give that up to have an obs. However, I then thought about it and decided it was ideal as I could use my supply as a TA if my TA is still off sick and after being observed I could then leave the supply in charge of my class while I go and talk about the lesson and get feedback from my mentor which saves me worrying about what she thought about it. Then I taught todays maths lesson - their first lesson on division as grouping (sorry to any non-teachers reading. It just means we are teaching it the opposite to how most of us learnt division!) and they didn't get it. Even H, my brightest maths pupil who I can always rely on to come up with the right answer and prompt the others with a child-to-child explanation. So tomorrow's maths which will be observed will be a "see how it goes" lesson and so I am using todays plan with a view to repeating todays teaching and hoping to be able to move them on, even if just a small step. Oh well, at least he will see a proper lesson without all the fancy stuff you put in just because you are being observed.

On a more positive note, we had a meeting this evening after school about able children and using thinking skills in the classroom. I was really pleased that many of the suggestions are things I am already doing, so it will be great to be observed already doing those things.

Thing that made me cross today: One of my definite level 3 pupils (yes, he also has a name but the number is more important at the moment!) is going to A.N.Other school not too far and which I know very well. So, on top of all the things which already annoy me about that school is the fact that I am having to hand them a level 3 on a plate. Anyway, who would move a child to another school at this time of year just because they are going to that junior school? Yes, well, maybe I would do the same, but it's my job as a teacher to whinge about such things.

Well, must go and plan for the supply teacher now. Also have to make my CPD folder look like I have at least opened it in the last 6 weeks!

Ready for Half Term

I've not had a great deal to blog about over the past half term. Most days are the same. They start with me getting up at 6am feeling tired and end with me planning, marking then going to bed at 11pm feeling more tired.

I have had to give myself a frequent reminder that I am an NQT and cannot be expected to be a perfect teacher straight away. I know I have been too hard on myself but fortunately I work in a very supportive school where the staff are all lovely and although everyone is busy, people always find time to help each other out and pick each other up when they are down.

I suppose I have had it quite easy this term really. Despite having to spend a long time over planning etc. I have not had any observations by my induction tutor so although I have had regular meetings with her and have set my own targets based on self evaluation, I have not been under any pressure of performance targets.

One of the hardest things I have had to deal with is having children in my class whose parents I already know outside of school. Approaching sensitive issues with those parents is more difficult than with parents I don't know. It can have its advantages though. I have been invited out to the pub this evening with several of the parents (some of whom I knew already before working at the school) and some other mutual friends. Yes, it is possible they wiull use it as an excuse to grill me about school and their children, but I can also find out things about them which will help me understand the children better. It works both ways. Having said that, I am a little scared. I asked my colleagues for advice. They told me not to get pissed and tell them how horrid their children are! Good advice I thought.

Whatever happens this evening, it is a night out at the pub, which I haven't had for over a year and at least I will have something to blog about tomorrow!

Happy New Year

After a great Christmas with the family (including Seany & 'me mam') and a quiet but enjoyable New Year's Eve / Day with just the four of us the day finally came when I had to put my money where my mouth is and take over my new class.

How exciting!

How scary!

First two days back went really well. We had integrated days based around Mythical Creatures. They pushed their luck a bit with their behaviour, but after a discussion about rules and behaviour, we had a very good second day on Friday and the standard of work was much better. It is a mystery to me how the other teachers get all their stuff done and still go home at 5 - 5.30. I left at 5.45 again today and still had a list as long as my arm of things I had to do.

Oh well, as long as I keep crossing things off as well as adding new things to the list it will be okay. I once heard someone say that an in tray is suposed to have something in it and you only have an empty in tray when you die. Not sure how long it will be, but I am still aliove so far so the in tray is still doing it's job!

Got lots of planning to do and must eat sometime today too, but I'd just like to say thank you for all the lovely messages of support.

Hope everyone has a great 2008!

How to Get a Primary NQT Teaching Job

I cannot believe how hard it has been to get a teaching job. I know some people have not found it so hard, but I also know some people who were happy to apply for and accept any teaching job in any school and some of those people ended up very unhappy and soon moved on to another school or left teaching altogether. What I am talking about, is how hard it has been to find the right teaching job in the right school. Too fussy? probably. Happy? Yes! I am now.

But this got me thinking how it would be nice (good descriptive word!) to put something together which might help some of the Primary NQTs still out there searching for the right job.

I have put this together and put a link in "Teachers Cupboard" on the right. I am not pretending to have more experience than others, but just wanted to share what I have learnt on my journey. I hope you find it helpful.