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!
Monday, 23 September 2013
The value of PD!
Sometimes it is good to stop and think about our responsibility as teachers; it should not be taken lightly.What we do in the classroom, how we impart knowledge, how we role-model and how we encourage inquiring minds, all play a significant part in the future of our students. As a result, we have to offer the very best that we can, and that means ongoing Professional Development for us.
What we do to prepare ourselves for the classroom has a huge impact on not only the students but also the school communities which we join.
This is your challenge!
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Term 2 - What is in store for you?More importantly, what have you planned to do this term? Update your CV, visit local schools, introduce yourself to key personnel in schools, do some voluntary work, attend valuable PD sessions; the list goes on and on.
Where do you start? PRIORITISE!!! Work out "WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, AND DO IT!" Don't hold back; if you need to leave your "comfort zone', then do it. If a job offer comes your way, accept it; be passionate, be organised, be EARLY and "mix" with the staff and students; you don't know what you are capable of doing until you put yourself to the test.
Nothing "succeeds like success", so put yourself out there, go the extra distance, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Have a great term!
Where do you start? PRIORITISE!!! Work out "WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, AND DO IT!" Don't hold back; if you need to leave your "comfort zone', then do it. If a job offer comes your way, accept it; be passionate, be organised, be EARLY and "mix" with the staff and students; you don't know what you are capable of doing until you put yourself to the test.
Nothing "succeeds like success", so put yourself out there, go the extra distance, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Have a great term!
Saturday, 2 February 2013
2013 - What an exciting year already!
Well, the new year has started with a bang and has a great deal in store for you. As a result, you must be ready, confident, organised and willing to accept the challenge.
Now is the time to approach new schools with your CV, primed and polished; it must truly reflect your individuality, your passions, your strengths and your love of "Best Teaching Practice". It must be able to separate you from the crowd, with that 'little bit of something extra'. It must be able to show your 'true self'.
"Where do I start?" you may well ask. Good question!
Here are a few steps that will set you off in the right direction:
1. Make sure that your CV has your personality and passion represented on every page.
2. 'Dress to impress' and hand-deliver your CV to all the Principals of schools in your area (and further).
3. Make an appointment with the Principal. (Make sure that he/she knows more about you than just your CV.)
4. Use 'brilliant' communication skills, that engage every person whom you come across in every school that you visit.
5. Leave a positive, lasting impression.
Remember, 'first impressions' do count!
Well, the new year has started with a bang and has a great deal in store for you. As a result, you must be ready, confident, organised and willing to accept the challenge.
Now is the time to approach new schools with your CV, primed and polished; it must truly reflect your individuality, your passions, your strengths and your love of "Best Teaching Practice". It must be able to separate you from the crowd, with that 'little bit of something extra'. It must be able to show your 'true self'.
"Where do I start?" you may well ask. Good question!
Here are a few steps that will set you off in the right direction:
1. Make sure that your CV has your personality and passion represented on every page.
2. 'Dress to impress' and hand-deliver your CV to all the Principals of schools in your area (and further).
3. Make an appointment with the Principal. (Make sure that he/she knows more about you than just your CV.)
4. Use 'brilliant' communication skills, that engage every person whom you come across in every school that you visit.
5. Leave a positive, lasting impression.
Remember, 'first impressions' do count!
Sunday, 14 October 2012
What does "PHOT" spell?
Some of you may have encountered this question in your travels, and reacted in a number of different ways. I hope that you were filled with curiosity and determination to solve the mystery.
Our students are constantly surrounded by words, events, activities and questions that do not always appear to make any sense at all. How do we want them to respond? ...............with curiosity of course! We want our students to ask questions of the world around them, and imagine the possibilities of the unimaginable.
So, what does "PHOT" spell?
The "PH" has the same sound as the first consonant in "first".
The "O" has the first vowel sound in the word "women".
The "T" has the sound of the second "t" in "station".
Did you guess it?
How amazing to be able to solve the unsolvable, and to create a challenge for yourself and your students, by playing around with the sounds in the English language and coming up with fascinating "WORDS".
Your challenge is to "ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE'!
Some of you may have encountered this question in your travels, and reacted in a number of different ways. I hope that you were filled with curiosity and determination to solve the mystery.
Our students are constantly surrounded by words, events, activities and questions that do not always appear to make any sense at all. How do we want them to respond? ...............with curiosity of course! We want our students to ask questions of the world around them, and imagine the possibilities of the unimaginable.
So, what does "PHOT" spell?
The "PH" has the same sound as the first consonant in "first".
The "O" has the first vowel sound in the word "women".
The "T" has the sound of the second "t" in "station".
Did you guess it?
How amazing to be able to solve the unsolvable, and to create a challenge for yourself and your students, by playing around with the sounds in the English language and coming up with fascinating "WORDS".
Your challenge is to "ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE'!
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