Good News for a Change

Well, despite my best efforts this year I've had some serious struggles with classroom management. It's been a great year in some ways but in other ways it's been really tough. My classroom management skills are not where I would like them to be. To be honest the school hasn't been to happy with me on that level.

But today...

I got observed and things went wickedly well! My head of department is quite a what's the word...ball breaker. She's been hard to deal with as she tends to be more critical than helpful. I've had a very hard time controlling this class so we've been cracking down on them and, of course, when she's in the room they're quiet and terrified. I got observed a few weeks ago and it went well and she gave me some feedback - which I took on board.

This lesson I did went as perfectly as a lesson can go really and she actually seemed happy and was positive at the end!

I feel like this is one of my first major victories in education.

I'm learning a lot this year. Teaching ain't easy I'll tell you that much.

But for today I feel good.

Amsterdam Photos on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_n_gen/ <-- Go there.

Had a good time in Amsterdam. It was weird travelling alone though. Don't think I'd do it again. Despite all the exciting and seedy stuff that Amsterdam has to offer I was most impressed with the art and museums! Amazing stuff those Dutch have done! (Rembrandt! Holy cow! Van Gough should be even half that good)

Anyway, I'm back - gotta go to work tomorrow.

I see Babagenouche tomorrow as she flies in from Italy to do her BBC thing. I get to meet her for a few hours at Paddington station. Maybe I'll meet the famous bear!

Off to bed.

I'm going to Amsterdam!

Babagenouche is away in Italy doing her tour and I've just hit my mid term break. I was hoping to go visit her in Italy but I can't so I started to think of other places to travel. I've always wanted to go to Amsterdam (hell...who doesn't!).

I'll be there until the 14th. Whoo hoo!