2014 Update

Hi readers,

I can't believe it has been a year since I posted.

You probably have thought I have " fallen off the perch" but in fact I have been doing what you all are working hard at "making a difference."

As I work as a Support Teacher:Inclusion Education I have been completing a scholarship I was lucky enough to gain. I can proudly say I have finished a Grad Cert in Inclusion Education and feel wonderful...now! Full time work, three older teen sons and a hubby and study makes not a lot of time for anything other than work and study. The two year effort has paid off and after number three son gets through senior I will go on the complete my Masters in this field. It was really interesting and has tremendous benefits in this role in our Australian schools.

I would not be the professional I am today with all the inclusion knowledge without my relief teaching. You also have to know I had 15 years experience in classroom and leadership roles prior to children and relief/contract work. Now in this role I am amazed at the automatic differentiation I put into my relief work that worked so effectively for classes that I had no prior relationship with. I still deliver this message re relief and contract work to 4th year uni students when invited annually.
Even thought I am not practising these skills I am working daily at coaching teachers and modeling good pedagody with tricky student needs.  The uni lecturers had asked me to please keep doing the workshops "Relief Insight" on a needs basis. I am happy to supply this service to support. The number of happy participants  to this service is thanks enough.

I was ready to run another workshop on November the 22nd 2014, however, with min numbers and people finding Christmas a busy time I have to cancel this opportunity. The beginning of the new school year is very bust for me as I in a full time role so finding the right time is becoming problematic. I am genuinely sorry to the faithful band who wished to attend . Getting ready at this time of the year is the best thing you could be doing.

The only thing I can offer you in the ability to purchase my workshop book that is here online. For $25 you can have all my ideas in one contained book. Some lovely people tell me they call this there Bible bit extreme but cute! I am a Catholic school teacher! many people find getting hold of the book first is actually very helpful before coming to a workshop. My workshop is designed to bring the book alive! It is very practical and user friendly.

So while I wish I could support you one person at a time ....like to students and families I work with everyday.....I send this information to you in the hope this purchase will support your first attempts into the wonderfully enriching and excitng world of relief teaching .

Every blessing for the Christmas season and happy getting ready for a professional 2015.

Carmel

Christmas Time ...just a little too busy!

Hi  everyone,

I am sorry to disappoint the participants for the November Workshop, however, it seems that everyone is eager but the agendas (including mine)  are all a little too full for another workshop prior to Christmas.

It doesn' bother me as I am happy to share when the time and energy is right.

Just drop me an email at relief-insight@kcrew.com.au and register your interest for the next event.

When enough people gather I will set the date and go from there. Usually some time after Easter and prior to end of semester one is the first for the year.

In the meantime spread the word if you are Brissie teacher and like the personal touch with a face to face workshop that counts 4 hours towards PD. Otherwise you can access my workbook through this blog and the practical suggests will set you on the right path...I promise.

All the very best for a beautiful family Christmas.

 Stay safe and go gently,

Carmel

NOVEMBER 2013 WORKSHOP

Relief Insight”

Teacher Workshop for Primary School Teachers

Presented by: Carmel Kuhr (Dip of T, B.Ed)

 

• Want to learn more about what it really means to be a relief teacher

in today’s school environment?

• Are you already working as a relief teacher and would like to network with other like-minded professionals for fresh ideas and strategies.
• How to get started?   What to get organised?
• Want to be inspired by behavior management and organisational strategies

that really deliver results

Take a closer look at this practical workshop that

adds to your skills as well professional in-service hours.

No matter whether you are an experienced classroom teacher or student teacher, this workshop will give you an insight into establishing classroom strategies that build relationships and make the classroom environment a place of fun and learning.

 

        VENUE: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.

        TIME: 8:30am for a 8:45am sharp start until 1:15pm

        PROFESSIONAL HOURS: Four (QCT Approved & certificate provided)

        DATE: Saturday 23^rd November, 2013.

        COST: $55 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)

            PAYMENT OPTIONS: CASH on day or  Direct Deposit

             Account Name: Mr &Mrs L Kuhr  BSB : 014-201 A/C No: 5334-32762

             use your surname as reference eg KUHR (R.I Workshop)

                              

RSVP:ASAP:  leave your name, choice of payment & contact details via email.

Accurate numbers essential for the viability of running the workshop.

This is not a business but rather a service!  Please share with all who may benefit.

Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel)

Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com

Email: relief-insight@kcrew.com.au

 

This invitation is open to all teaching professionals.

Teaching isn't Rocket Science !

Teaching isn't Rocket Science - it's more complicated than that!

I love this saying which was first endorsed by Professor Richard Elmore. It flies in the wave of belief in general society that teaching is easy. This myth needs to be put to rest. There is nothing more complex than the human mind. Add the relief teaching twist and you now you are really humming! Teaching involves not only the science of teaching but the art of building complex relationships that establish trust and engender respect. How to do this in just one day ...now that is complicated!

My name is Carmel Kuhr and for over a decade I devoted myself to being a professional relief teacher in order to balance my family needs and my professional integrity. In this time I continued to study and add to my skills. I made this choice after a career run in education of nearly 12 years. Long enough to know that with twins to start out family of three, I could never be the educator and parent I wanted to be at the same time. Plenty of you reading this would be coping beautifully, however with no immediate family around and a husband working often interstate it was more than tricky. At this time in my life I am not doing relief teaching ....what? I have been swept into full time roles in Inclusion teaching as well as coaching and training opportunities. I am also finishing my Masters.  My time doing relief work had prepared me for the diversity and collaboration skills required to do this role well. I love every minute of the learning and the deep respect I have for all the varying teaching styles I encountered. The encouragement from you and the university communities was enough to keep me continuing the relief Insight workshops. ( Although I am not very good at keeping this blog going due to the general busyness of life......oh and three teen sons may have a tad to do with it as well.)

From feedback generally you all go back to the old posts and enjoy these. I  am grateful for your ongoing support and would love you to show and share with anyone who may benefit that the next Brisbane workshop is Saturday the 23rd November, 2013. More to follow with next post.

The one thing I do believe is that stepping from being a new graduate into the harsh reality of the world of relief teaching is not for wimps! Personally I believe relief staff should be professionally affirmed as it is stressful and exhausting role. As a new graduate you certainly could not get a better grounding in the practical requirements of teaching, however you must actively look to daily self improvement and not be too harsh on yourself as you build your skills. The missing element of RELATIONSHIP make the role of relief teaching challenging in so many ways. I think every teacher should experience relief teaching if only just to realize how very challenging even the smallest things can be.

Relief Insight workshops are not about WHAT to teach, rather HOW to teach from the he management all year levels, the attention strategies, behaviour management and organizational techniques for inclusion, professional expectations of the role and practical tips to personal management. Seasoned teacher or fresh graduate, the feedback has always been the same. The audience values the practical strategies grounded in best practice that are transportable in the 21st century classrooms. If my work is being valued and making a difference I am only too pleased to continue.

Many thanks to all. The next post will have the final details for the November Brisbane workshop.

Live laugh and learn every day.

Carmel

Next Brisbane Workshop 2nd June

“Relief Insight”

 

Relief/ Supply Teacher Workshop for Primary School Teachers

Presented by: Carmel Kuhr (Dip of T, B.Ed)

 

• Want to learn more about what it really means to be a relief teacher ?

in today’s school environment and reflect on quality teaching practices in this role?

• How to get started?  What to get organised?
• Want to be inspired by behavior management and organisational strategies

that really deliver results?

 

No matter whether you are an experienced classroom teacher or student teacher, this workshop will give you an insight into establishing classroom strategies that build relationships and make the classroom environment a place of productivity, fun and learning.

 

        Venue: Holy Spirit Catholic  Primary School (Bray Park.)

                       Administration Block: Staffroom

                       102 Sparkes Road, Bray Park.

        Time: 8:30am sign on for a 8:45am start . Finish 1:30 pm

        Professional Hours: 4 hours ( QCT Certificate of Participation supplied)

        Date: Sunday 2^nd June 2013

        Cost: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook & brunch)

 

        RSVP: Essential ASAP. Please leave your name, & contact details via email.

 

        Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel)

        Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com

        Email:relief-insight@kcrew.com.au

 

Addresses National Professional Standards :

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P		P	P		P

 

This invitation is open to all teaching professionals.

                                                              Please spread the word!

Good Things Come in Small Packages

 

This is how I would best describe the dynamic and action packed last workshop. With smaller numbers for the start of the year, I was so grateful to be able to personalise the attention and get everyone involved. Participants left feeling enriched with new knowledge and enlivened with fresh ideas to try in the classroom.

 

Not every one who attends is a uni graduate. I have tried to reach the community of professional relief teachers however we are a "gated community." Privacy laws are in place regarding contact within systems. Schools being the busy places they are do not always pass on the information to  a relief member of staff. It is not easy. Once again relief teachers must see themselves as their own bosses and take charge. QCT professional hours are mandatory for registration now. The responsibility to fulfill them is our own. For me pedagogy is always the best place to start. it drives the bus in all our curriculum and assessment decisions. 

 

 

Relief  Insight is all designed on current best practice and research based pedagogy. It is delivered in a very practical workshop so that participants gain a genuine insight into the transference of the understanding.

 

 

One of the best things for me, post a workshop, is to sit with a lovely coffee and reflect on the feedback and continual improvement. I am particularly delighted when an experienced teacher attends. Of course their perspective will always be different. With Belinda's kind permission here are her thoughts as a  experienced teacher, currently doing relief work as she is on maternity leave.

 

 

"Fantastic! Lots of ideas suitable for ALL year levels. great to see the resource book come alive! Clear explanations. Interactive and engaging. Fantastic value!

Not just for relief teachers-so many great ideas

 for general classroom teachers.

Thank you for a truly great workshop!

(Belinda : Full time permanent classroom teacher)

 

 

The next workshop will be held mid to late May. ...post working with ACU students. Please email your expression of interest and I will email you with specific details when finalized.

 

 

Live,laugh and learn every day,

Carmel 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Word of Mouth Advertising is the BEST!

Greeting readers,

I have just posted the details of next little but very enthusiastic growing crowd!
It should be a great one. I have not held the workshops at a school base...no lovely coffee shop right next door but we will make up for that I am sure!

After trolling back through requests for updates and upcoming workshops I always come across the humbling emails of satisfied participants. I am reminded why I put in the extra energy and make the time to share this slice of the teaching world.

Allow me to publish another because these words tell the story....not mine. Grateful thanks to Lisa for allowing me to publish the email.

Hi Carmel,

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful PD you provided last Sunday.  I'm still going through it all and my head is swimming with ideas. 

 

I'd love to do more of this with you, particularly as a new graduate (graduated July this year).  There is still so much more to learn and try when next in the classroom.  I'm hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that I get a position with Cath Ed in the graduate program for 2013.  I should know sometime in October.  In the event that that doesn't come my way, and 2013 is my professional relief teacher year, then the more of these workshops I can be involved in, the better.

 

Also, as a beginning teacher, I think the ideas and scenarios that your workshop covered are relevant to any teacher, be they beginner, established or relief. 

 

I feel a little silly asking this but some of your acronyms in this email have me puzzled!  What exactly is CTJ and ST:IE?  I don't think I'm familiar with either of these.

 

Again, than you for an amazing Sunday morning.  It was by far the best PD I've done this year (and I've done a few different things from different providers).

 

Warm regards,

 

Lisa.

 

So if you live in SE Qld , particularly Brisbane...... I would love you to join us. If not this date email me and I will keep you on record until next time. This is only spread by word of mouth and I am not a business...just offering a service to the sector I deeply care about.making a difference in the life of a child.