Workshop Feedback : "Relief Insight"

Things have been more than a little hectic at the start of the traditionally very busy third term. Could have something to do with having a really "sporty" number three son during althetic season?

Some of my extra busy ness is also in the preparation of my next "Relief Insight" workshop. They are always fun once I get started; however, because I not doing them all the time I do get a little apprehensive! Everyone tells me not to and one gorgeous freind has insisted I post some of the very humbling feedback the lovely participants have given over the years that really keeps me going.

At the risk of a tongue lashing, here are a few.....

"So many fantastic ideas and stategies -all very explained. Loved getting involved." (Amy, 3rd year education student.)

" Your workshop is a great springboard to both "new" and "old" teachers alike ...giving a lift to our teaching days." (Veronica teacher/librarian)

"The strategies (and freshness of these approaches) are a wonderful reminder to all teachers what the job is all about." (Trish, returning experienced teacher to supply teaching)

" I enjoyed the definite positive tone and the emphasis on professionalism. " (Paul, current supply teacher)

"This is what I expected in Uni and didn't find. Thank you so much ,you have given me a real head start!" (Jessica, graduate teacher)

" It was fascinating. I gained so many useful tips I can use in the classroom." (Nick, first year out graduate teacher)

Basically my book( that you can download online) is a collection of these ideas without the workshop attached! We have a blast at the workshop as I make everyone get involved and by the end we all feel like old mates! I have written the book in a very conversational style and saome readers have even said they can hear me coming off the pages...compliment or not I am still wondering?

Live,laugh and learn,

Blessings for the journey...

Carmel

Stepping Out Conference 2009

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with a group of 4th year students at QUT in Brisbane about what it means to be a "Relief Teacher in Today's Schools. " It was a pleasure to speak to group of interested and focused "students". (Quite different from a class of squirming year 2 students I can tell you!) I spoke with 4th years at ACU in March of this year and they were just as receptive.

It really is a pleasure to be able to professionally share your knowledge and experience. I do hope I didn't challenge them too much with some of the realities of this profession....my aim was to inspire their thinking in regards to this critical role in education. I did finish by saying that some days are a little like playing a role on the set of "Thank God You are Here!" and that did get a little chuckle! I have offered to hold a workshop here in Brisbane in the next month so hopefully if the student response is strong I can make that happen. If you are reading this and live in Brisbane area ...the invitation is open to all interested teaching professionals. The more the merrier!

Please email me with your expression of interest and I can email you more specific information regarding the upcoming Relief Insight Workshop.

Live,laugh and learn,
Blessings for the journey....
Carmel

Make a Note

This is one area that I have gained the most positive feedback. Classroom teachers value the details of the day given in quick easy to read note form. (This is actually a different form to the Agenda.) This practice not only benefits the class teacher but it also quantifies what has taken place in the day for you. The teacher is able to follow up with the class the next day regarding any positive or negative situation they deem necessary. The students will place value on the relief teacher’s presence for the day and judge how the teaching staff works together for their well being and education.

NOTE PROFORMA: I have designed a master A4 sheet that divides the page into ten separate note sections. As the day progresses, I simply make a note at the time it happens. For example, Learning Support Teacher withdrew Tom, Sally and Ben @ 10:15am for 30 minutes. Other examples may be a message from a parent, observations of unusual behaviour, message from the office, names of children that did or did not complete a given task and reason why/necessary follow-up, even playground incidents that you feel the teacher should just be aware happened that day. Lastly I will record that the specific instruction was completed, e.g. Megan had her medication @ 9:50am


This practice not only builds the lines of communication between you and the classroom teacher but allows the class to value that what happens on this day is just as important as any other day! Their beloved teacher will get to know exactly what happened while he/she was not there.

It is also important to realize that the class dynamics will not be the same with a new teacher in the room! Be careful to make your notes as objective as possible. Subjective comments about a child’s behaviour based on only a day’s experience can be treading into dangerous territory. Children’s lives are so complex these days that it can be impossible to understand the why behind the behaviour.

Again based on personal experience, I once had a class with one angry, unsettled girl present. Nothing I could say or do was right and she told me! This was one tough day. By the end of the day, I learnt that earlier that week was her mother’s funeral; she had died of an overdose. Not every child will have a story as powerful as this; however, it is worth asking the support staff or partner teacher, (even other students quietly) if this is normal behaviour. You don’t have to loose your authority doing this rather you are showing your care and concern for the child and for the whole class.

Live,laugh and learn,

Blessings for the journey,
Carmel