Educators' Lounge - Place to chit and chat

This is only our third week back so a bit more time until holidays @BPDSurvivor ...and yes already counting down the weeks. I am fortunate to have a gorgeous bunch of kids though (and parents) so I generally love being at work. After school meetings suck but when they are just with our team, it is better - great colleagues certainly help.

Hey @Zoe7 ,

I'm glad you have a gorgeous bunch of kids.

@Snowie will prob know, but high school is another kettle of fish. I love having them, but I don't like it when they play up for other teachers. One of my year 8 classes told me that they sent their English teacher home crying yesterday because they were being so disrespectful to her. No teacher deserves that.

For now, I've made the necessary follow up and hope to be able to support the teacher. I have this particular year 8 class 9 hours a week. This was the class that no other teacher could handle. It's as though the kids are ticking off how many teachers they can 'get rid of' in a year.

I keep reminding the students that teachers are humans too. They aren't perfect, but they have feelings too.

Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Happy teaching everyone!

@BPDSurvivor I started teaching at college where I also ran the VET program then spent several years at High School working both with an alternative program and all grades. A lot has changed since those days but I think the basic relationship building we do with all our kids is still the most important part of our job.

Love this @BPDSurvivor

I love teaching too but had let it go due to low self esteem. I haven’t worked in classrooms just private studio teaching piano for 30 years. For last 10 weeks had a new student. I missed teaching and really enjoying being back at it. It comes really naturally for me. She is doing well.

I know I am fortunate not to deal with many of the issues you mentioned. Though there are different stresses. I found putting on student concerts difficult. I found it hard to reconcile all psych issues in my family with the supposedly proper presentation of a self employed teacher. I felt I had to compartmentalise and mask. With COVID and sons issues I let my studio go. Then I began focusing on music for me. Celebrating my music making and love for it …. rather than all the shoulds. Still a work in progress….lol

@Zoe7 @Shaz51 @Snowie @tyme

HI @Appleblossom , i just read your story. how amazing. music teaching in grouse. my sister taught piano for many years. she stopped because she had kids and couldn't juggle kids and teaching. @Appleblossom

as a teacher, it's so rewarding to see kids progress. I think this is why I'm in the industry. Their love of learning keeps me going. And I came in to the industry knowing the pros and cons. So I'm not surprised when things get gnarly and messy with adults.

Who knows? maybe in time your love for teaching will be rekindled and you find a way to pursue it.

Welcome to the Educators' Lounge!

Feel free to come over and hang.

Want a virtual cuppa?

@Ferdinand @AzureSkies @Freddiethecat @101613 @Wren1 @MichelleVu @Austin08 @AmbitiousWoman @mr-robot-75 @Jacob7 @GADzooks @misty8 @Cat381 @OM108 @Appleblossom @KittyLove1984 @BPDSurvivor @Shaz51 @Zoe7 @Snowie

What has the Educator's life taught you? Where has it taken you?

Looking forward to hearing - the good and the not-so-good.

Thanks for the cuppa.

Ive finished the school week on a good note. I feel so supported at school and this was only because late last week, I was summoned into a 1hr meeting with the principal and three assistant principals, 2 of which ‘ripped’ apart my work and was finding fault with the work of my portfolio. It was highly unfair.

Cut to the chase, the deputy principal called me in today to have a chat. She was so validating and supportive. Other assistant principals also commended me highly for my work.

So, lesson learnt. Just because two people find fault, it doesn’t mean they are right.

I know with all honesty that I have done everything right by the students, teachers and staff.

You may be thinking why I’m talking about so many assistant principals. Well at the school I work, it is both primary and secondary. I work across both. We have 10 assistant principals including 3 directors, 1 deputy principal, then the college principal at the top.

I keep reminding myself that I’m there to do my work. I’ve reflected on the situation, and I believe the two were finding fault because they felt threatened by me.

To be honest, I don’t hold anything against them. If anything, I’m sorry they’ve got no idea what they are doing.

How’s everyone else?

Only 3 more weeks and it’s holidays again!

One thing about teaching that has really helped me is… having the mindset where I keep educational values front of mind… so I lose self consciousness and many fears and social anxiety.

@Snowie @Shaz51 @Zoe7 @tyme @BPDSurvivor……

@Shasan , this is the Educators' Hub.

Nearly school holidays now! Only a few days to go, and counting!

I'm not sure if I've given an update, but since the last debacle, I teach three hours less a week so I can get more of my other work done. This has been somewhat helpful.

The 'other' work I do is really a full load. Most schools have teachers completely out of class to do the work that I do. Anyway, any relief is a blessing. I love the work, and I love teaching, so it's okay.

Another day with mainly Year 8 kiddos. Don't we love teenagers who press the buttons and love to push boundaries? I'm glad our parents are helpful, so a phone call home really helps. Allows us to work with the families more closely.

I can't complain.

How is everyone else going? @tyme @Appleblossom @Zoe7 @Shaz51 @Snowie