Change, change, change...
Linda Forward
Ahhh, there's that word again. Ok, granted that teaching is still extremely new to us all and we feel like we had a decent go at it by now, I was reminded today that we must continue to change in order to be the most sucessful teachers we can be.
Our principal quoted this afternoon that many think teaching is easier after a few years, but then challenged us saying, "To be comfortable is to be useless" admonishing us to always continue reading, discussing, inquiring and learing from others no matter how long we've been doing teaching. A good little reminder being fresh out of uni and used to constant change.
I received four new students in my class today taking me to a grand total of 21. I can't believe how fast hte holidays have flown nad I truly did not feel like 3 weeks was long enough. However, only 9 weeks and 4 days til holidays so there's definitely something to look forward to. Lol!
On a more serious note, though, it's amazing how much perception can affect things. This morning, especially after two nights away at a luxury place on the Gold Coast for the weekend, I really didn't feel like going back to school after a break, knowing that it meant so much work, late nights, preparation and full-on activity. However, I took my boyfriends advice and tried to see a down day as just that...a down day that happens every now and then, rather than it being the Beginning of the End. It's amazing how perception of something can drastically affect things. After 2 mins of reminding myself of this I was ready for a big day.
I have also found that by setting an expectation that 10 - 14 hours a day is a normal workday, I feel less frustrated that I work these hours. Then wehn I have a shorter day than this here and there, it's a bonus. I also see Saturdays as a student-free work day, so every weekend feels like a bonus as well, socialising with friends, sleeping in and relaxing. It really helps to change any negative perceptions about how hard I find myself working.
I have definitely found a composite class quite challenging but I really do enjoy it. Having to double-plan units, homeworks, activities and strategies (due to the different levels outcome levels and the vast difference with the knowlege of my students) within my class very time-consuming but again, rewarding. I enjoy the couple of hours in the afternoon organising. It's a wonderful wind-down time
Okat, this has turned into a rather epic and somewhat lengthy email so I'll stop there. Bless you all and keep giving your best. It's amazing how many lives we have been given the opportunity to influence daily with the love of Christ. Take care. Not long til holidays...okay, less than yesterday. Lol!
Linda
Sasha Poynts
I love you Linda!! Oh, the joys of a composite 
God is so good. I found that last term I was getting really grouchy with the hours and late nights, but just accepting this as part of teaching has really made a big difference this term. Because the Lord rewired my perception (and attitude) I'm actually getting round to enjoying the teaching bit and have a little more energy too (all because I'm more mentally prepared). Does it make sense?
Bless you heaps - Sasha
From: "Linda Forward" <forli...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Change, change, change...
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:43:23 +1000
Kylie Pollard
Hey guys
I'm not too sure whether it's just me...but I don't have anything to complain about as far as late nights and long hours! I have a composite (but not the separate level issue) and I leave school most days by about 4pm to 4.30pm and I go to bed at 9pm most nights. I made a deal with myself before I started working to stay at school no later than 5pm (safety reasons...dodgy area) and to not take any school work home with me on a weeknight. This has worked wonders and I am a relatively stress free person who gets ample sleep!!! Maybe you should try it, but I don't know how I would survive without sleep and relaxation after hours. School is work and it stays at school!
So as far as I am concerned, I love my job and I have a life after school hours that doesn't involve school work. I'd like to know if I am missing something because I thought this was normal! Am I supposed to be tired and grumpy and staying up late marking work?
Is there anyone else out there in my boat or have you all jumped into Linda and Sascha's boat?!!
Luv you guys and I hope you can find a healthy, happy medium!!!
Kylie P
From: "Sasha Poynts" <s_po...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:02:32 +1000
Linda Forward
Kylie, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not complaining at all. I love my job and realise that going the extra mile is of benefit to me learning as well as to my students. The hours are a result of expectation and constant workload. I too could leave earlier but out of devotion for the job and the children as well as undertanding the vision and values of the school, their expectations and a desire to provide the best, I stay, learning, sowing and seeking to utilise this massive learning curve as as the opportunity it is. I'm so happy for you that your job does not require this of you and that you are enjoying it. I'm thrilled that you can leave your work at school and that you have reasonable working hours. I've just found that at my school that's no reality of the job I currently posses.
Keep chargin on and enjoying your job and teaching life. That's great!
Linda
From: "Kylie Pollard" <kylie_...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:20:29 +1000
Kylie Pollard
Sorry Linda, I wasn't misunderstanding you. I know that different schools have different expectations, but I was just wondering if I was the only one in my boat or whether your situation was the norm amongst the group. Didn't mean it to come across so bluntly.
PS I accidentally deleted the other email so I had to reply to this one...just in case you were wondering.
Kylie
From: "Sasha Poynts" <s_po...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:02:32 +1000
Linda Forward
Nah. That's fine. I'm so excited for you though that you are having such an easy time of it. Keep enjoying it. It sounds great!
Linda
From: "Kylie Pollard" <kylie_...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:57:47 +1000
Sasha Poynts
Hi Kylie,
How fickle do I feel?!! Talk about having your holiday wear off quickly and being grumpy and tired on account of late nights! I'm feeling back to uck again, anyway - just made the same deal with myself that school stays at school - only its not working too good at the moment - we are being accredited soon, so suddenly we have mounds of paper work to do.
Any tips on how to make a getaway by 4.00pm and not bring any work home?
From: "Kylie Pollard" <kylie_...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:20:29 +1000
Linda Forward
Awesome, Sasha! I was at school from 8am til 7:30pm today, then came home and have worked til now and am finally finished and ready for dinner.
We, too, have accreditation coming up and must perfect all our units.
Bless you and pass on any tips. I'd love to work it that way too sometime int he future, be it 4 months or four years from now.
Bless all of you.
Linda xxoo
From: "Sasha Poynts" <s_po...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:10:34 +1000
Kylie Pollard
Hi Sasha,
To be honest with you, I think it's all about priorities and deciding what needs to be done today and what can wait til tomorrow or later in the week. While I don't have the mounds of paper work you are experiencing at the moment, you can still work out what is urgent, important, and non-important. Also, if I were in your shoes, I would stay til 5 to get as much done as possible. Keep plugging away, and my biggest recommendation is to make sure you get at least 8 hours sleep a night because if you don't your health will suffer and that is the last thing anyone needs when they are already feeling bogged with mounds of work!
Hope that helps...Luv Kylie
From: "Sasha Poynts" <s_po...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Change, change, change...
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:10:34 +1000
Linda Forward
Great adivce, Kylie! thanks.
From: "Kylie Pollard" <kylie_...@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
To: CHC-I...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Priorities
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:35:40 +1000