At first I started making brief logs in my journal of what I
did, a short evaluation with some reflection, but without questioning. But when
I had more time I went over what I had log and started to question my day.
Considering how I felt, my mood, questioning my feelings and the fatigue that
is sometimes there but ignored; as well as thinking about the mood, feelings
and the fatigue of others and how does this affect my practice?
Recently at my practice we had an Ofsted Inspection and
during this time the atmosphere of the practice was very much a live, the
emotions, mood, the stress, anxiety, the excitement and the vibrant strength of
a team pulling together. But was also obvious was the aftermath of fatigue and
exhaustion of the pillars of the practice. Although, luxurious donuts were on
the menu the next day and dinner the following week, to celebrate the good achievement;
it did make me want to question the objective of an Ofsted Inspection.
Questioning some of the requirements by Ofsted; the purpose and its impact on
similar practices? Considering it from a
parents and a teacher’s point of view? Even though I do not plan to dive too
much into this at this time in relation to Ofsted, it did make me think and
raise questions that I may like to reflect more on at a later date looking at
other practices and the fatigue that Ofsted may bring.
As I continued to read through the logs of my journal;
questioning my day? I started to think of some of the lessons I have covered at
short notice at my current practice and whiles working as a supply Teacher
Assistant. I also started thinking of
previous supply teachers coming into the practice where I have previously
worked and how my perception of them has now developed and in some respect
changed due my experience becoming more knowledge. Whenever I have been asked to cover a class,
at first I feel a little apprehensive, not knowing what to expect, how the
children will respond, yet at same time I welcome, enjoy and thrive on the
experience. Reading the names of the
children can be a challenge in itself working in a multicultural school,
phonics often do not apply and many names can be tricky words, the odd laugh can
be expected when reading the register.
The children most of the time will know more about the school and
lessons than you, this can have its pro and cons. Bright children can use this
to their advantage to push the boundaries when having a supply teacher. I say
‘bright’ and not a ‘behaviour problem’, because bright children have a range of
abilities from the Special Educational Needs, the mischievous to the Gifted and
Talented. Having a brief guide of the
school/class day, resources and procedures makes a difference. As well as having the odd reward for the most
challenging class, some examples of writing, a bulk of questions ready to pull
from, to engage, encourage thinking and to pull ideas from the children,
especially if you are covering a class of an unfamiliar subject because often
the children will know more than you, although you could do a class research of
the subject if needed, either way engaging the thinking of the children often
manages the behaviour. So on reflection
I would like start to bank some questions, explore and extend the questioning
within my practice, especially whiles covering an unknown class to continue to
see its effect and the afterschool clubs that I am in the process of starting.
My appreciating of supply teacher’s has gone up and has made me think what
support my practice could offer to ease any nerves, make them welcome and
improve the quality of overall teaching.
I have also started to create a diagram to compare my average
week to last year, plus compare the supply days at different
schools/practices. So far I have found
writing a brief log/list of events useful when not having much time or feeling
a little fatigue after a day’s work. Evaluating my week when I have more time,
considering how I felt, mood, good and bad points. I have looked at different
days from the perspective of another person, considering a day when I may have
had a professional disagreement. I may look at this day again but from an
object’s point of view - the impartial bystander. Blogging on other people’s blog is something
I haven’t got into as much as I would have liked, although I see the benefits.
This is something I plan to improve over the next few weeks and get into a
routine of doing. I have looked at AdSense advertising and this is something I intend
to look at in more depth, weighing up the pro and cons, as I do plan to use at
a later date. Furthermore I have also started learning about MySQL and PHP
databases, and how to imbed it into a website to improve my computer skills,
using YouTube as a self-training resource.
I will blog on how I get on with AdSense, MySQL and PHP databases.
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