Exit Busy Term 3 and Enter Exciting Term 4!
Well, Term 3 has come and gone, and it has caused a sensory explosion! We have seen, heard and learned a great deal from: Leanne Regan, from the "Association for Children with a Disability", who supplied us with some great teaching strategies and understanding; and Megan Dredge, who converted us all to believe in the "Power of Me". (With Megan's "All in a Day's Work", we were treated to a long, hard look at ourselves, and the endless possibilities of future employment by just going that "extra mile", and investing in the right "tool kit" containing the obligatory: warm and friendly personality, passion for teaching and knowledge of how to teach well.) How simple is that?
So, what is the next step? Well Lynn, a friend of mine (a truly passionate teacher), told me about Anthony Browne's "Voices in the Park". I jumped online and watched a YouTube clip of the book; it was amazing and opened up numerous "what if?" possibilities for me with my own teaching. This "picture book" was a visual delight, and the message contained within its pages was overwhelming.
(If you get a chance, read it!) It is exciting when shared information bursts into waves of 'great ideas' for teaching.
Your amazing new teaching idea is just around the corner; watch out for it.
Have a wonderful and exciting Term 4!
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Welcome Term 2, 2014!
At our last "Professional Development" session on March 25th, while we were waiting for our presenter to battle her way through the traffic, I asked the assembled CRTs to share any CRT moments with the group. As a result, one CRT stood up and told us about her experiences at a particular school where she was valued, respected and constantly called back to teach. When asked why this was the case, she told us about the 'little extra things" that she always did that went above and beyond the call of duty. Things like: arriving early every day, volunteering to take an extra duty for a teacher who was "snowed under" with work, sharing ideas and always being warm and friendly. On top of all that, she ensured that if lesson plans were left, she followed them, making sure that the students' work was corrected and the classroom left ready for the next day. (No wonder the school keeps calling her back: if I were a Principal, I would too.)
What does this have to do with Term 2, 2014? Good question! As you are aware, we know the things that we are good at, but what about the things that we should be better at!
Have a wonderful, challenging and fruitful term.
At our last "Professional Development" session on March 25th, while we were waiting for our presenter to battle her way through the traffic, I asked the assembled CRTs to share any CRT moments with the group. As a result, one CRT stood up and told us about her experiences at a particular school where she was valued, respected and constantly called back to teach. When asked why this was the case, she told us about the 'little extra things" that she always did that went above and beyond the call of duty. Things like: arriving early every day, volunteering to take an extra duty for a teacher who was "snowed under" with work, sharing ideas and always being warm and friendly. On top of all that, she ensured that if lesson plans were left, she followed them, making sure that the students' work was corrected and the classroom left ready for the next day. (No wonder the school keeps calling her back: if I were a Principal, I would too.)
What does this have to do with Term 2, 2014? Good question! As you are aware, we know the things that we are good at, but what about the things that we should be better at!
Have a wonderful, challenging and fruitful term.
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Welcome to 2014!
"Happy New Year" everyone, and let's make this year a memorable one!
I wanted to share with you a story that I heard about a gentleman called Willard Wigan (some of you may have heard of him). He is a world-famous sculptor, who sculptures miniature pieces of amazing artworks in the eye of a needle, or on the head of a pin. To truly appreciate the beauty of his works, they need to be viewed through a microscope.
You may ask yourself, why has he chosen to create such beauty that cannot be viewed by the naked eye? Well, that is a good question, and it goes back to his childhood when he was subjected to public humiliation as a five year old, by one particular teacher. Luckily for him, his mother recognised his special talent as a young, budding artist, and encouraged him by saying that the smaller his pieces of artwork became, the more impact they would have on the world.
Willard now spreads the word that sometimes things can be right in front of you, and you don't always see them; so look with fresh eyes, and expect the unexpected.
Enjoy everything that 2014 has to offer you!
"Happy New Year" everyone, and let's make this year a memorable one!
I wanted to share with you a story that I heard about a gentleman called Willard Wigan (some of you may have heard of him). He is a world-famous sculptor, who sculptures miniature pieces of amazing artworks in the eye of a needle, or on the head of a pin. To truly appreciate the beauty of his works, they need to be viewed through a microscope.
You may ask yourself, why has he chosen to create such beauty that cannot be viewed by the naked eye? Well, that is a good question, and it goes back to his childhood when he was subjected to public humiliation as a five year old, by one particular teacher. Luckily for him, his mother recognised his special talent as a young, budding artist, and encouraged him by saying that the smaller his pieces of artwork became, the more impact they would have on the world.
Willard now spreads the word that sometimes things can be right in front of you, and you don't always see them; so look with fresh eyes, and expect the unexpected.
Enjoy everything that 2014 has to offer you!
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