As it nears the end of the summer holidays, I have been
reflecting on my job and what it means to me. It is fair to say that I love my
job, but like everyone there are elements of it I dislike. This post is my
reflections of some of the reasons why I became a teacher, some of which have
lived up to my hopes, others of which have not.
Firstly, I enjoyed school. I enjoyed learning and I still do.
My primary school, middle school and high school were all places where I have
good memories. I know this is not the case for everyone, and this can be a huge
hurdle for many of the parents of the pupils I teach. I really wanted the
children I teach to have similar experience to me where they were nurtured and
taught well. I wanted to have a good relationship with the pupils I taught, one
of respect on both sides. So far, I can say that I have been true to this hope.
However, I have now realised that it is not possible to have every child like
you and achieve brilliance with you. Understandably, children learn better with
some teachers than others and people don’t always ‘click’ with everyone.
Despite this I can definitely say that I have had a good relationship with all
I have taught (if a little less rose tinted!).
I like people. People are good. Yes, some do actions which
seem to counteract this statement, but I think people are by nature good.
Children have an innocence about them that is innate. I wanted to work with
people who are at the stage of their life where they want to explore, ask
questions and don’t hold back. Looking back over my time of teaching, I have
seen this is still a great part of my job. I wanted to nurture souls as well as
brains. Although PSHE is being pushed out of the curriculum I feel it essential
throughout teaching and learning. If we want society to change for the better,
surely it’s a good idea to nurture our children’s minds. Although I know what I
do is a drop in the ocean and there are many other factors at play, it still
feels good to know that my job makes a difference.
I was (and still am) what I have now found to be called SEN
(special education needs). Having dyslexia and all that entails was a huge push
to making me want to teach. I wanted to help others and thought that I was in a
good position to help identify children with SEN.
I wanted to run clubs. I wanted to help nurture children’s
talents in art or drama. I thought providing these extra opportunities would
provide them with more life skills. This is one area I feel that has not lived
up to my expectations. I have tried to run a club, but after a year I had to
stop. With all the fantastic aspects of the job comes the rubbish. Assessment,
meetings and planning takes up so much of my time. My dreams of spending
lunchtimes or after school time enabling children to reach their potential have
been dashed. Oh well, I’ll just have to do the enabling in lesson time!
So there are some of my reasons. I think it’s important for
teachers to look back as well as forwards and reflect on their careers, not
just their lessons.
If you are training to be a teacher I have a few pieces of
advice:
- Get organised. PGCE and NQT years are hard. Really hard. Get
yourself organised with a diary, folders, notepads ect. Not only will it help
you out it will make you look better to SLT.
- Get involved. Try to get involved with want goes on in your
school, including social activities. Making connections with the people you are
working with is so important. In a school the people you work with are key to
your sanity!
- Praise. Although behaviour can be a challenge, remember that
praise can often be a better way to manage it than shouting.
- Remember. When times are tough, remember why you came into
the profession. I also keep a ‘smile file’ with bits from my time teaching that
make me smile.
♥
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