Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

Thanks @Till23 for your advice, I wasn't sure about this issue myself. I've removed my photo and reference to location now.

Hi @Spirit_Healer I removed reference to location as well

Thanks for sharing @Spirit_Healer . I'm glad your work load provides flexibility. Is there a teacher shortage in your area? We have a HUGE teacher shortage here in my area. I often hear that kids don't have teachers for terms on end.

One family was telling me that one twin hasn't had a teacher for the last 2 terms so in terms 3-4, that teacher is going to swap classes to the other twin's class so they have the opportunity to have a proper teacher rather than a CRT.

I'm not sure what will fix that issue. And now with the childcare issue... who knows what will happen in the future?

I'm glad you have been staying active in going for walks or going to the gym. Sounds very healthy. As for going out with your church group, are they all young people or can anyone go?

Have a great time! Rest up and it sounds like it's totally ok if you don't do much during the school holz! That's YOUR time!

Yes, @tyme, there has been a teacher shortage for a few years now. Teaching during COVID-19 drove many teachers away and we're still feeling the effects now. It's even worse in regional areas than in the metropolitan area where I am. Regional schools have resorted to advertising financial incentives of thousands of dollars to attract new staff.

Last year, at my school, one year 11 class went without a teacher for a whole term, so they shuffled my load to give me that class. They couldn't fill a position until well into Term 2.

Church getaway went well, it was our Bible study group of 9. I liked that we got to know each other better over those few days. We're all in our thirties.

Today I just found out that I will be picking up a Year 9 class from next week. I've got a class of my own again. Makes me feel more useful and intellectually stimulated.

If you've noticed that I've been quiet recently: I've been working really hard on sleep hygiene and avoiding screen time an hour before bed. And that is the time that I used to respond on these forums. Avoiding screens has so far made a big difference to my ability to fall asleep, unsedated. So I will keep doing that.

@MissGremlin @NightFury @Shaz51

The teacher shortage is Australian wide @Spirit_Healer and it makes our job even harder because we have to pick up classes we wouldn't normally teach, or pick up extra loads to fill the gaps. We also sacrifice our planning time because there are no teachers to replace those who are sick. We have a shortage of teachers, but the expectations on teachers are only increasing.

Hearing you @NightFury @Spirit_Healer ,

@Spirit_Healer , I'm glad you are getting a class of your own. Do you take them 5 sessions or something? It's great to hear that you are working hard to stay well. That's so important because without health, you can't work.

@NightFury , you're right. There are so many teachers walking out within the first 5 years of working. And yes, I guess it makes everything harder for others. My sister was just saying that she needs to teach full days for the next 2 days and won't be able to get her work done. She is in leadership and won't be able to do what she is supposed to because she needs to fill in - 2 teachers have left to go to other schools.

And with the current investigation into the childcare crisis, who knows what's going to hapeen in the future?

People just don't want to be teachers anymore.

I have a complicated relationship with my teaching career @tyme @Spirit_Healer and I feel like that could be a common thing.

@NightFury @Spirit_Healer , did you both go back to school today?

@tyme @Spirit_Healer I did yes! But we had a student free day. We had a staff meeting, then some professional learning and some planning time. It's nice to be able to go into the first day with the kids tomorrow, feeling semi prepared. At least until tomorrow rolls around anyway.

Nice! The nibblings went back to school today - so no student free day today.

Good news, it's only 9 weeks this term for Vic kids! It's going to fly!

I've got camping planned for the next holidays and that's why we kept this holidays quiet. Then we are going overseas the holidays after... @NightFury

Glad you feel semi-prepared!