What a week! It all started on Sunday when I moved into a room in Acton. I'm really lucky because a friend of mine (Sassy) has parents who own a house that they rent rooms out in and there was one available. Acton is only about a 15 minute train ride from where I work. So I'll be staying there for the next 5 weeks from Sunday night to Thursday night and travelling the 2 hour journey back to Debden on Friday night.Well I've been going slightly balistic for the last few weeks trying to prepare and get things in order but I'd been only marginally successful as many of the things I wanted just weren't available until school started. I've been terrified of being too disorganized, getting lost, and losing the kids early in the year.
Things have gone well though! The kids are great. I mean really great. I've had a few classes where it's difficult to get them to settle down but that's as far as it goes. They're very capable kids. Some of the writing I've seen is quite amazing and you should see them play soccer! I was with year 4's yesterday and some of these 8 year olds were amazing!
One of the biggest differences is the fact that I have a department and a Department Head along with over all plans for each term, lesson plans, books and resources connected to them. I also have people to ask. Last year I was the only science person with none of that stuff. It makes life a LOT easier. Staff are cool - kids are brilliant. It's looking very good!
2 comments:
Happy to hear that things are working out for you in your new school digs, Edukator. I guess in a way, it's unsurprising that you are faring so much better in a school that has an established, well-trod curriculum, etc. Sad though, what a few well-spent pounds (in terms of departmental organization and investment in the school) can buy in comparison to your previous assignment, where it was sink or swim.
Yeah, it sure is better. So far I'm much more relaxed and calm. Plus, I've got a year of teaching under my belt so I'm a little more zen...plus I actually get way more time off this year. I keep this in the back of my mind when I start to get stressed.
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