Graduate Teacher's Meeting

Part 2:

1. What is it that the class teacher has that the poor old supply teacher (student teacher too) doesn’t have?

Relationship and knowledge of the learners in this class i.e. learning styles.

Keep thinking about that as I start the school day in year 5. After introducing myself, one of the first housekeeping matters that needs to be attended to, is marking the roll. (Change to online but you should still have a class list)

Good morning year 5 I am Mrs Kuhr and I am happy to be here today to see how well your class functions as a learning community. Use strategy "Excuses Excuses." (See Relief Insight Book page 11 ) Main purpose is to build relationship quickly, gain insight into class dynamics and establish your presence.

You never get a second chance to make a second impression!

2. Relief Insight."

When first commencing Relief teaching I thought about the skills required to do relief teaching ...Venn diagram explained. In 2006 when I was first invited to speak to the 4^th years at ACU the students were so keen to hear more about this “land of relief teaching and the diversity of skills” that I developed a workshop called Relief Insight which does exactly that...gives the participant an insight, not what to teach, but how and why behind the tricks of the trade!

In a nutshell....

Relief Insight is a practical skill based workshop that is designed to empower you with strategies and concepts to work with all year levels in multi sensory and engaging way.

For all teachers....

Show Power Point 2 Quick look at the content. If you like what you see and hear in this short presentation please refer to you flier for more information about my workshops that offer the participant three hours of professional in-service. As you may appreciate I am first and foremost a classroom teacher and the workshops are not a business run venture. Your expression of interest is essential for the correct numbers to cover costs and then I am more than happy to share my professional experience. BLOG SITE TOO.

3. Earlier I challenged you to keep an open mind to this teaching role. Just like a class I can’t assume that you will keep focus in discussion only through auditory modality. So let’s do a PMI chart that could be written but can’t so lets make it all three ! Explain what is expected....

Advantages and Disadvantages: (Vote with your hand gesture as shown whether this is a positive, minus or a negative in your opinion)

· Flexible working days

· My own boss

· No holiday pay (Be aware there are ten weeks school holidays)

· Flexibility to have more than one income stream.

· No-little take home preparation.

· No staff meeting(ask for an invitation)

· No sick pay-leave

· Inside look at a school community and the school environment

· Miss Staff development days (Definitely ask for an invite...INTRANET)

· No curriculum planning (Actively look for a mentor)

· Higher casual rate of pay per hour

· Build up lots of professional contacts.

· Actively teaching all age ranges.

· Exposed to a variety ideas as presented in individual classrooms.

· Familiarization with a broad range of teaching resources/practices in schools.

6. The Five Bees (See earlier blog post)

7. Closing

Relief teaching is a wonderful experience of professional growth. You are in charge of your own learning journey. Every professional should have the chance to do this role. Most would decline...are all teachers control freaks!

Definitely not for wimps but most worthwhile things are like that! I would liken some days to being on the set of THANK GOD YOU ARE HERE!

Thank you and blessings on your teaching journey. It is not a job it is a calling.... all the best.

So this is how I finished the meeting.

It was half an hour in duration but when you are in front of a large audience it just flies. The other funny thing is that everyone is listening to you.....I mean really listening!

In a classroom you have so many distractions and interruptions to the flow of your teaching that I almost get the giggles and ask will someone please wriggle in their seat or call out so I feel more at home! Seriously, I trust I was able to convey the main message......

Life is not over if your don't get a full time job straight away!!!

Supply teaching has so many advantages to your teaching journey that it can't be dismissed. I understand the lack of full time income, however your ability to check out a school community from the inside before you choose to apply for a position to that school can be an advantage for both you and the school. Not every school is going to suit who you are a teaching professional. So follow the old advice and always look at the bright side of life and ...

Live, laugh and learn...

Carmel