I have just found out that a diary entry I have written about being a newly qualified teacher is about to be published on a schools based website. I'm so pleased. A bit of a boost half way through my probation year. The diary entry is below for those of you interested:
First term over, long term over, just 5 weeks to go until half term. Lessons are planned, resources being photocopied, what can go wrong? Kids that’s what. I seem to have forgotten just how unpredictable they can be, even the best planned lessons have to thrown out of the window when kids get near your plans. But that is one of the shear joys of teaching. Working with students who are curious, eager and enthusiastic. They may not be enthusiastic about my subject, but every single student I have is good at something.
My form came back after the holidays raring to go. They wanted to tell me what they had done and where they had been. It’s those simple moments spent with a child, making a connection with them, being allowed to peep into their world, what makes them tick that has made this term so special. I no longer need worry about what on earth their name is. I know them all now. I understand why X is hyperactive – his baby brother has just been born and he is excited, why Y is feeling a little down – it’s the anniversary of the death of their dad, but I can be there to share with them the good times and the bad.
Kids now say ‘hello miss’ in the corridor. I see them in town and they come over to say hello and introduce their parents. They want to tell me what is happening, to share their successes. One boy today came to me and said, ‘miss, I was bored on the weekend and so I did some more RE’, and he had. The effort put into his poster was amazing, especially considering in our first lesson together he said he couldn’t see the point of RE, and his mom was even ready to pull him out lessons. Now he wants to work, has pride in his work, and even gives spends his free time improving his work. That is the reward for hard work and perseverance. That is the reward of being a teacher.
Life hasn’t been easy. I must have sent dozens of children to the report room, often wondering if there was something wrong with me as a teacher. But now I am beginning to realise that I cannot make a child behave. They need to realise the consequences of their actions. If they throw a glue stick they are out. Next lesson the glue stick remained on the table. If they don’t work they get a bad grade. Sometimes children need to fail to improve. It is only through our mistakes that we learn the most. Kids need the option of making mistakes in a safe and secure environment, to help them learn for the future. It’s my job to provide that environment. The boundaries are now set, the expectations shown; now they must strive to achieve their best. If they fall by the way then I will be there to pick them up, and guide them back, even if it is for the twentieth time that lesson – ‘no Lewis, you need to sit in your seat and answer question one – you have 3 minutes now GO!’.
How far I have come since that first day, a scared NQT, worried about everything. Just like my form, a frightened year 7. We have embarked on our journey together. We are making huge strides together, gaining in confidence and friendships. Learning and laughing together. It’s what teaching is all about.
First term over, long term over, just 5 weeks to go until half term. Lessons are planned, resources being photocopied, what can go wrong? Kids that’s what. I seem to have forgotten just how unpredictable they can be, even the best planned lessons have to thrown out of the window when kids get near your plans. But that is one of the shear joys of teaching. Working with students who are curious, eager and enthusiastic. They may not be enthusiastic about my subject, but every single student I have is good at something.
My form came back after the holidays raring to go. They wanted to tell me what they had done and where they had been. It’s those simple moments spent with a child, making a connection with them, being allowed to peep into their world, what makes them tick that has made this term so special. I no longer need worry about what on earth their name is. I know them all now. I understand why X is hyperactive – his baby brother has just been born and he is excited, why Y is feeling a little down – it’s the anniversary of the death of their dad, but I can be there to share with them the good times and the bad.
Kids now say ‘hello miss’ in the corridor. I see them in town and they come over to say hello and introduce their parents. They want to tell me what is happening, to share their successes. One boy today came to me and said, ‘miss, I was bored on the weekend and so I did some more RE’, and he had. The effort put into his poster was amazing, especially considering in our first lesson together he said he couldn’t see the point of RE, and his mom was even ready to pull him out lessons. Now he wants to work, has pride in his work, and even gives spends his free time improving his work. That is the reward for hard work and perseverance. That is the reward of being a teacher.
Life hasn’t been easy. I must have sent dozens of children to the report room, often wondering if there was something wrong with me as a teacher. But now I am beginning to realise that I cannot make a child behave. They need to realise the consequences of their actions. If they throw a glue stick they are out. Next lesson the glue stick remained on the table. If they don’t work they get a bad grade. Sometimes children need to fail to improve. It is only through our mistakes that we learn the most. Kids need the option of making mistakes in a safe and secure environment, to help them learn for the future. It’s my job to provide that environment. The boundaries are now set, the expectations shown; now they must strive to achieve their best. If they fall by the way then I will be there to pick them up, and guide them back, even if it is for the twentieth time that lesson – ‘no Lewis, you need to sit in your seat and answer question one – you have 3 minutes now GO!’.
How far I have come since that first day, a scared NQT, worried about everything. Just like my form, a frightened year 7. We have embarked on our journey together. We are making huge strides together, gaining in confidence and friendships. Learning and laughing together. It’s what teaching is all about.
