First Week Reflections

Starting Out

In the first 5 days of my placement, I have been reminded once again of why I love doing this. Teaching presents me with both the joy of having a job that is not only demanding from a practical/professional point of view, but it is also very demanding from a people-perspective.

Teaching is a job that involves most of your hours in being surrounded by people – mainly students – but also, being a student teacher, I work closely with my fellow teachers, learning as much as I can from them about what to do (and what NOT to do). I find I thrive in this environment where constant interaction is required. It’s a bit of an contradiction really; while I do gain energy from the relationships that I build with people, when I get in the car at the end of the day, it’s only then I realise how drained of energy I am as a result of the day’s interactions.

Teaching for me is personally rewarding and very satisfying. I love being able to invest my time and energy in the lives of young people and watch them grow and mature in their understanding of the world around them.

Learning the Ropes & Losing my Breath
I taught three lessons in my first weeks. Typically, the first week of a placement is just observations, however, my mentors invited me to take my first lesson on Thursday as she felt confident that I would be able to do it. Admittedly, the nerves were kicking throughout the whole day, and I was both nervous and excited as I anticipated my first lesson with the Year 11 Business Management class.

The topic which I was required to teach was Marketing and specifically, about Market Segmentation & dimensions. The key outcome for this lesson was to ensure students are able to apply and analyse effective marketing strategies and processes. I prepared everything on power point slides as that enabled me to manage classroom behaviour more effectively. I figured the ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach wasn’t really for me and I also think students are more engaged when you make eye contact with them rather than having your back to them, which is the case when you are writing on the blackboard with your backs to them. All in all, I was pretty pleased with my very first lesson. Areas for improvement? I realised that I do talk quite fast when I’m nervous (but then again, who doesn’t?) I remember thinking, as I stepped outside the classroom at the end of the lesson, “breathe Maria, breathe.” I exhaled one long breath because it was as if I’d held my breath in for the whole 50 minutes of the lesson. heehee. It was nice to get the oxygen circulating in the blood stream again.
Law and Order ….for the most part! I took another 2 lessons last week (a ‘double period’) with the Year 10 Legal Studies class. Yes, although I’ve never taken a single legal studies class in my life, here I am teaching legal studies! Scary thought, isn’t it? The reason I have to take the legal studies class is because I need to teach a total of 50 lessons during my teaching round, and there just ain’t enough “business management” lessons for me to meet that requirement (of 50 lessons). So I was given the choice of either Legal Studies or Accounting. (Dad – if you’re reading this, have no fear, I picked the former, just to make sure we didn’t have the case of the ‘blind leading the blind’! You can relax!)
The 2 Legal Studies lessons I’ve taken have been surprisingly excellent. The legal studies teacher has only had to ‘save me’ once and that was at the end of the lesson when I’d completed all the activities that I’d planned for and had nothing left to give to the students. That’s when Mr. M. stepped in to fill the time with some of his stories about injustices in the legal system. I’m afraid to say I couldn’t just whip out some tales from the court room, like this Legal Studies teacher could!

Anyway the Year 10’s and I have been exploring the topic of Civil Law and the three main areas of civil law (contract law, property law and tort law). We’ve also watched a documentary about the Jennifer Tanner murder story and about how the legal system just got it wrong. This week, we’ll be exploring a story that was featured as a documentary on ABC last week called ‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt’, which is another example of injustice in the legal system, where 4 people in Western Australia were put into jail in July 2006 for a murder they didn’t commit. Anyway it’s all riveting stuff. Take my word for it. Sometimes, I feel like I’m Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. Most of the time I know what I’m talking about because a lot of it is ‘common sense’ (plus, I just memorise the whole chapter in the text book the night before the lesson!)

Next week in legal studies, I’m looking forward to a new topic called Legal Issues and Technology. We’ll be exploring issues such as privacy laws, spam, internet stalking etc. This topic is definitely something within my comfort zone, and thus, I’m sure I’ll have no problem teaching it with confidence and gusto!

Can Never Be Too Prepared
I can’t say I’ve had any issues with the feedback I’ve received from my supervising teachers as they’ve looked favourably upon all the work and lesson plans I’ve done to date. (Yay!) Personally, I know there are a few areas here and there which I need to refine. To assist me with this, I put together a 10-page Action Plan so I know how to approach situations and behaviours such as students arriving late to class, disrupting other students, talking during class, swinging on chairs, non-completion of homework, defiance or wilful disobedience in class, or damaging school property. Hopefully, I won’t have to put into action too often any of the strategies in my ‘action plan’!!

Moving Forward
I’ve got another 4 weeks to go and I realise that I’ve got much to learn and much to do. Each day brings its own surprises. For example, today in one of my free periods, I found myself joining a Year 9 Food Technology class – and lo and behold, there I was with an apron on, cutting vegies and instructing kids how to make fried rice!! (Mum, you would’ve been so proud of me!

This placement is definitely more challenging and busy than my first placement, mainly because of the difference in school culture and ethos as well as the fact that they actually claim to have really high expectations for teachers here (which I’m really pleased with and I’m really appreciative of). Anyway, got to go now as I have more lesson plans to prepare. This week's going to be flat out with 10 lessons in store for me to run with.

Well, if you've gotten this far, thanks for staying with me. Hope to keep you informed more regularly with more tales from the blackboard!! Adios!

Counting Down the Hours

It's 11.13PM and I'm here wondering what the next 5 weeks lie ahead of me. Feelings of excitement and anticipation consume my thoughts as I eagerly await to commence my second teaching placement for the Grad.Dip of Education (Secondary) course which I'm studying at the moment.

I will be teaching Year 11 & 12 Business Management and Year 9-10 Business Subjects (Commerce, Legal Studies, Accounting, SOSE etc). My placement is at a private school located about 40 minutes drive north of the Melbourne CBD in a suburb called Doreen.

It should be roughly a 20 minute drive from my place, perhaps even quicker, since I'll be going against the flow of the peak-hour city-bound traffic (woohoo!)

I do anticipate that this placement will be contrary to the secondary school which I completed my practicum at in 2005. This is based on my assumption that generally speaking, Private and Public schools vary somewhat in their approaches and philosophies when it comes to the whole notion of education and it's purposes, it's principles and beliefs when it comes to things like assessment and discipline standards etc.

It's also going to be a different focus this time round with instructing Bus.Mgt related topics instead of I.T. On the whole, I'm just really looking forward to the interaction & teaching of lessons as I do find great satisfaction from imparting new concepts (and yes, as the cliche goes....) 'making a difference' in the lives of students and seeing them grow and learn.

I love food, and without a doubt, I will miss my favourite lunch spots and cafes in the CBD. I 'googled' Doreen and didn't exactly find many dining options. Looks like I may have to revert to packing my own lunch for a change. Here's hoping that where lunch options are lacking, good company and conversation over lunch will be without shortage.

Anyway, must go catch some zzzzz's now for an early day tomorrow! Stay tuned for more Tales from the Blackboard (Part 2). Cheerio!

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack!

Greetings earthlings!

Belated Happy New Year and welcome back to another round of "Tales From The Blackboard" for 2006.

I don't actually start teaching rounds until August 2006 so I'm afraid I don't have any 'tales from the blackboard' as such to share with you all. However, Semester 1 of my 2nd Year of my teaching course commences in a few weeks time in February, so I may be able to whip up and post some of my thoughts and musings as the course progresses. (I can't help but think how the recent Christmas holidays are now but a distant memory!) :-)

I do intend to ressurect this blog concerning my teaching placement/s in 2006. At this stage though, I suppose I don't really have much to say? Perhaps I should start another blog which musings that don't necessarily pertain to teaching tales, but rather random thoughts that flutter about in my head. :-) Let me get back to you on that one ....!! :-)

This One's For You!

This blog entry is dedicated to YOU! Thank you to all who have visited my blog on a regular basis, and thanks especially to all of you who have taken the time to encourage, reply and comment on my musings. Hopefully you've enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it! (It does get quite addictive! hehe)

It's been wonderful to get an insight on what your thoughts are in response to my thoughts :-) It's been my pleasure to have shared all my experiences with you and although my teaching round for 2005 has effectively finished, I still invite you to post any thoughts and comments you may have in response to any of the previous entries on this blog of mine.

I do intend to keep this blog alive as I still have one more teaching round/placement to undertake in 2006. Until then, I'll probably just post some random thoughts along the way to do with teaching, education, or the art of gardening (to add a bit of spice) - which I'm recently just discovering. (I'd like to plant a variety of conifers - tips anyone? :-) Anyway, until next time, may your blogs be good blogs. Over and out.

Day 25 - The Final Curtain

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Today is my final day as a student-teacher and I am glad to say it has been one enriching experience. The conclusion of my placement brings mixed feelings as I think back on the experiences and lessons learnt over the past 5 weeks.

On one hand, it's feelings of relief and joy, upon the thought of returning to the more familiar territory of 'the office', and also of catching up with my friends/colleagues at work. On the other hand, I admit to feeling somewhat melancholic at the thought of leaving the students and staff with whom I was able to grow and develop relationships with.

Before you jump to the conclusion that these final parting words are all going to be nice and rosy, let me tell you that it wasn't all like that (...as If you hadn't already figured it out by now!) :-)

Initially it was quite a huge culture shock for me, as the school I was placed in did not resemble in anyway the high schools which I attended as a student. For example, back in my day, (as my dad would often say) students actually brought writing impements, texts books and notebooks etc to class. For many kids in this school, that's not even something on their 'to-do-list' - get my drift? :-)

Anyway , in order to maximise my experiences as a student-teacher, I think it was important that that I quickly try to understand the culture, teachers and students in this school. When I approached things in such a manner, it was then that I became sensitive to a whole new dimension of teaching ; areas which go beyond the act of writing lesson plans and the act of teaching up at the blackboard/whiteboard.

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Some of My Many Lessons Learnt (in no particular order)

On 'Social Class' - culture in a social class is not simply inherited, static and fixed; it is learned, dynamic and open to change. The basic aim of the teacher''s job is to persuade people to adopt the role of learner, regardless of their background/culture/socio-economic status.

On 'Students' - It's important not to have preconceptions about students based on information I receive about them. (Isn't that true for everyone, young and old alike?) If I face the class having already made a decision that student 'X' will be poorly behaved, I may find that my expectations create a self fulfilling prophecy. Lesson learnt? Expect the best of every young person you meet. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

On 'Teachers' - 'Not having any problems', 'avoiding hassles', 'getting through the day' and having trouble free relationships with students were among the comments that teachers offered at this school when considering what 'successful teaching' means. This teachers however, did not preculde evaluation of teaching by criteria of levels of academic achievement, or producing more thoroughly 'socialised' or 'mature students'. The teachers were tenacious. They acknowedged a fundamental point about learning: that is, regardless of their personal family and social class background as teachers, they have a responsibility to get the students to learn certain specific things, to guide their development in certain directions and to adapt themselves to that end.

On Parents - The role of the parent is the most important when it comes to their childrens' education. I believe that parents are primarily responsible for their children's education especially in the home, as that is the place where they are grounded in the right values, morals and attitudes which will allow them to be effective citizens in the world.

On Teaching as a Career - 'People who express an interest in teaching typically want to make a good living, but do not base their lives on the pursuit of money. Most of them enjoy kids and sense that it is deeply compelling to develop students' potential and touch their lives. They want to excite individuals and classes about subject matter the way they had once been inspired by a teacher. They are concerned about the social and economic conditions of our country, and they recognise the importance of knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking to an equitable society. Some what to make education today better than it was for them. Regardless of their driving goal, individuals interested in teaching want their work to make a difference personally and professionally.' (pg. 3, R. Maloy et.al, 1999, Bergin & Garvey)

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The aforementioned paragraphs are just a few of the many lessons which I've discovered over the past 5 weeks. As per my other blogs, they are just some ramblings from the 'top of my head', so do forgive me if it all sounds vaguely familiar (compared to my other blog entries!) :-)

Day 24 - Parent-Teacher Interviews

It's my second-last day of my teaching placement, and I've been fortunate (although I'm sure most veteran teachers would say 'unfortunate') to participate in conducting 'Parent-Teacher Interviews' (which I'll refer to as 'PTI' from now on)

I have just come home from a 4-hour stint of interviews with the students, parents and my supervising teacher sitting by my side. (PTI actually goes for a whole day for the teachers) It was an interesting experience as I was able to see the students in a different context. With their folks, the students are on their best behaviour and they smile more. Actually, it's a nervous smile that suggests, "Please Miss, don't say anything bad to my parents about me." :-)

Tonights PTI brings back memories of my own experiences as a high-school student attending PTI's. For me, PTI was an awkward experience, probably because I was, for most part, a shy student. I took comfort attending those meetings by staring at my shoes and focussing my attention to the fluff on the carpet, whilst listening to my folks and my teacher discuss my progress. :-) hehe.

There were a few kids tonight who reminded me of my folks and I, but there were also quite a few who bear no resemblance to my folks or I during myhigh school years!

For example, there's this Year 9 kid who doesn't do his work in class and is always distracted (and spends most of his time distracting others). Apparently, this kid was a real whiz in Year 7 and 8, yet in Year 9, his performance has just steadily declined. I gave him a mark of 3/25 for his Desktop Publishing Project (and before you jump to the conclusion that I'm one mean and nasty I.T. teacher!) - I do think his result was justifed. Anyway, upon this revalation, his parents started berating him right there in front of me and my supervising teacher. She seemed unmoved by the whole thing, but I was a bit uneasy and uncertain as to whether I should intervene or not.

It then dawned on me that I do not like being the bearer of bad news! I found it difficult to give parents feedback that their students are struggling/not focussed etc. I felt like I had to say something to appease the parents, but I guess the bottom like was that, as his dad so graciously said it, he should just 'pull his finger out'. :-)

I really felt sorry for the kid, but at the same time, as a teacher, I know that I did everything I could to motivate, support and encourage this student to do his work. I think the important part at these PTI's is that as a teacher, I have to get the student to verbally acknowledge that they will commit to pulling their socks up. In doing so, they are providing me with a verbal contract, with their parents as witnesses, to make every effort to get back on track. I think students need to be shown that they have a choice (of either shaping up or shipping out), and in making that choice, they can take ownership of their own performance at school.

I think to soften the impact of giving not-so-good news to parents, I put a positive spin on the feedback by saying something like, "Jimmy shows great potential in this subject" and then giving some constructive feedback as to how the student can improve.

It's unfortunate that they don't teach you this stuff in university. (At least I don't think it's in the curriculum for any of my subjects at uni.) :-( I think practical things, such as how to conduct Parent-Teacher interviews, should be incorporated into teaching courses, as PTI's require a good dose of psychology, diplomacy and courage. :-)

Anyway, yesterday night, I spent until the wee early hours of the morning marking students results in preparation for today's PTI's. (And that was just for 2 classes!). Just imagine how much more effort is required for full-time teachers who teach multple subjects and multiple year levels.

It's perfect timing that they should schedule PTI's towards the end of the term, because after all the marking and interviews, they're going to need a well-deserved holiday! Thank goodnesss for the Term Break!!

Heavy Questions for My Own Consideration and Maybe For Pondering in Your Spare Time

Do we want to educate our children mainly in government-assisted fee-paying private schools, based on an exclusive clientele identified by socio-economic status, religion, ethnicity or some other dimension?

Or do we want them mainly to be in inclusive government-funded public schools, mixing with children from a wider range of backgrounds and experiences?

Is education a positional good, which may be purchased to the advantage of some and the disadvantage of others? Or is it a public good, which governments have a responsibility to provide and quality-assure?

How true is this statement: Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is a great equalizerof conditions of men--the balance wheel of the social machinery.--Horace Mann, 1848f

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It's Tuesday night and I sit on the couch thinking and reflecting on the past 4 weeks that have just passed; it's not long to go now before it's back to more familiar territory of the corporate world. I can't believe 4 weeks has just flown by so quickly. It feels just like a few days ago when I first drove up the school entry and parked in the vice-principal's car park! hehe (Refer to Day1 Blog for more info on that incident) ;-)

Well, as the old adage goes, time flies when you're having fun. And yes, the past 4 weeks have been fun, worthwhile and a thoroughly interesting experience.

This week, I'm marking the students' work in preparation for the 'Parent-Teacher Interviews' which are this Thursday! Woohoo. How exciting :-) (Seriously!) On Thursday during the day though, I'll be attending a Seminar somewhere near Knox. It's a seminar where they tell us I.T. teachers a bit about what's 'new' in ICT's in school and how technology can be used to make school life more efficient and exciting for everyone. Should be interesting as I'll get to meet other I.T. teachers around Victoria and get their insights on what teaching I.T. is like in other schools around the state. I'll let you know how it goes.

For the rest of this week, I'll also be wrapping up with the lessons I've been teaching for the Year 9's & 10's (Webpage Design and Desktop Publishing). Tomorrow, I'll be taking a Year 11 and 12 class for some 'Revision Work' and I've prepared a number of exercises to take them through and help them prepare for their upcoming end-of-year exams.

Anyway, better go catch some shut-eye - I'm totally buggered today.