Change of email address : Relief Insight Workshops

Welcome to 2013.

Time to get ready! Time to make a difference!

I am always so thrilled when past participants contact me directly and let me know how their professional lives are tracking and how the workshop has made a difference in their teaching and in the lives of children they work with. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness.

I am beginning to receive inquiries for the next 2013 workshop. I base this date around the uni lectures that I run so that uni students are able to attend and have the maximum benefit prior to and around their final internships.

No date has been arranged as yet but as soon as confirmation is received I will notify all who have submitted an expression of interest.

 Current relief / supply teachers find out only through word of mouth and this blog spot. I run the workshops as a service as I passionately believe that this aspect of teaching is sincerely underplayed and undervalued for the skills and energy that is required to undertake this vital role well.

If you wish to be placed on an email waiting list for the next available date simply email me with your expression of interest and I will be happy to oblige. Oh, please let me know some of your background and how you came by my contact details. It is all so interesting.

My new email address is relief-insight@kcrew.com.au

Live, laugh and learn every day!

Carmel

September Workshop Feedback

The old saying actions speak louder than words is going to be reversed....in this case other people's words speak louder than anything I can write! I feel both humbled and privileged to be able to contribute just a little to your amazing professional journeys.

Thank you to all those who not only fill out the feedback forms but take the time to write personal emails as well. I love hearing the success and the challenges you may encounter. I am always as close as an email. Here is my time to show and share......

"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. 

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. 

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)." (Lisa)

 

"Seriously all teachers should attend this workshop. Why don't we hear this in uni!" (Shalana)

 

 

 

I loved the way your ideas were demonstrated. I loved the interactive participation. Very engaging presentation that held my attention the entire session." (Robyn)

 

"Longer sessions and more please! You're fantastic!" (Courtney)

 

Thank you so much everyone. It is all about being the best that we can and I glad to have helped. Enjoy those workbooks! Lots of people call them their bible!

 

Live,laugh and learn,

Carmel

carmelkuhr@internode.on.net

 

PS If you are reading this and think I would like to attend a workshop ....I wonder when the next one is? (Northside Brisbane ) Just drop me an email /comment with your return contacts and I will keep you informed when the next one is scheduled. Term 4  Week 3 may be on the scheduled CTJ Day., if there is enough interest. What a good opportunity for some relief teacher specific professional development. The group size needs to be at least 20 to make it worthwhile to run.Just drop me an email.  

 

 

Upcoming Teacher 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 result 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. Addresses QCT Standards : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 P P P - - - P - P P         VENUE: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.         TIME: 8:45am for a 9:00am sharp start until 1:30pm         PROFESSIONAL HOURS: Four (QCT Approved)         DATE: Sunday, 23rd September 2012         COST: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)                                 **Please note cash only on the day. RSVP: Essential ASAP. Please leave your name & contact details via email. Accurate numbers essential for booking the venue. This is not a business but rather a service!  Numbers are limited to available seating. Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel) Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com Email: carmelkuhr@internode.on.net This invitation is open to all teaching professionals.

Feedback : Relief- Insight Workshop June 2012

Yet another wonderful group of teachers are buzzing post the June workshop of 2012. I am always so pleased to have been part of the learning journey and make a difference in the life of both the teacher and the student. The majority of the the participants at this Winter workshop are student teachers and therefore many of the strategies will be directly used back into the current teaching practicum.

"Thank you so much...I have been waiting for some practical ideas like this for 4 years at uni." (Stacey)

"Fantastic! Thank you for passing on your years of experience and successful tricks of the trade. These ideas will certainly give me confidence during my practicum in Semester 2. "  (Bronwyn)

"So many different ideas for me to experiment with while on prac....then I can see what works for me! I loved the way we had the workbooks with us from the beginning. It was so easy to follow along, understand and make notes as you spoke." (Rania)


As well as the fresh young students there was a wonderful sprinkling of seasoned Relief Teachers. How I wish I could just have a room full of one kind of audience but the mix makes for interesting questions!
Once again I am extremely pleased when my experienced colleagues also find these workshops such good value. Their kind words in the form of feedback makes all the difference.

"Fantastic! Covered so many things that i can't wait to try. A great variety of content that I felt was very useful to me as a relief teacher. Please DON"T give up doing this for people like me!" (Simone)  

"Content: Live-giving,enriching,and entertaining! Talk about value for money...your enthusiasm and energy is catching. Thank you" (Anne)

I am so pleased that this work can make a difference.

As I always say it is not WHAT you will teach ...content is easy....it is all about HOW. Understanding the individual and the way they learn best is the key to good teaching practice. I can't read enough about the brain and how we are all individually wired. Now that Dyslexia is not a prohibited word I think that we will be seeing so much more about best inclusive practice that really works for today's 21st century student.

Live.laugh and learn everyday!

Carmel

Clear Expectations for Great Expectations!

Who doesn't like knowing exactly what is expected of them?

As a teaching professional I like to have a clear idea of what is expected of me as well especially as the Australian Curriculum continues to be rolled out for us all to comprehend and implement.

The same can be said of our students?

Clear expectations of the behaviour and clear expectations of the learning are truly a marriage made in heaven. When you are doing a relief teaching day or week it is certainly no different.

The simple way to outline the learning is in the
WHAT? ... What we will be learning about.
HOW? ......How we will go about that learning.
WHY? .......Why this learning is important.

 Simply have the headings of LEARNING EXPECTATIONS  and BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS on the board. If you are using this regularly you may like to laminate and attach some magnet strips for ease of use in each classroom. I list the question words and discuss the answers, adding the key content words as visual reminders of the learning expectation.

Under the behaviour expectations I list my focus rule/s in a symbol form/s, again as a visual reminder. It is then I start the lesson and affirm the learners as the expectations are met. I have always found when the students understand exactly what is expected of them the behaviour management issues are totally minimal. If issues do arise it is only a matter of clarifying what part of the task do they not understand and then redirect with positive affirmation. It is also so much easier to offer accurate feedback on the students work which assists you as the educator to make more informed choices about the teaching and also build genuine relationships based on respect.

Have a go and let me know how it works for you.

Live, laugh and learn,
Carmel

Relief Insight Workshop Sunday 3rd of June

Opps can't believe the last post was back in February. So many interesting things have been happening since then! I spoke at ACU and now the time is right for the next workshop. In consideration of the feedback, we are trying a Sunday time slot to decide if this is better for young students and busy parents. I am a church goer but I am happy to work around that commitment
if this time is convenient to most people. The most important thing is that the lovely coffee shop is still open on a Sunday morning and providing the weather is kind to us the morning tea break with a good coffee gives us all the energy to get through the second session. There is lots of learning and lots of laughs as i do get you to be interactive. Nothing too threatening....it just makes the classroom strategies come alive. Surprisingly the time flies and you leave with lots of new network contacts, clear ideas about the world of relief teaching and fresh exciting strategies to try out as soon as you can get your hands on some willing students!

 Details are all one this flier or email me directly with any other enquires.

Look forward to hearing from you.

“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?
• 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 fun and learning.

Addresses QCT Standards :

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.	8.	9.	10
P	P	P	-	-	-	P	-	P	P

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

        TIME: 8:45am for a 9:15am sharp start until 1:30pm

        PROFESSIONAL HOURS: Four (QCT Approved)

        DATE: Sunday, 3^rd June 2012

        COST: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)

                                **Please note cash only on the day.

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

Accurate numbers essential for booking the venue. This is not a business but rather a service!  Numbers are limited to available seating.

I will confirm the workshop numbers and viability with a reply email on Wednesday prior.

Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel)

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

Email: carmelkuhr@internode.on.net

Welcome to 2012

The start of some years definitely seem busier than others and for me 2012 has been it! Blame it on the weather ....blame it on family needs......blame it on myself! The truth is everything is urgent but few things are important. It is sorting out what is important that is the secret key. Important things make a difference to how you cope with the world and what is important to you. Now I am not trying to be a life coach here but all the same thinking applies beautifully to way you craft yourself into the best teaching professional you want to be.

It doesn't just happen. Setting goals for the year...long term, and short term, can and will make a huge difference. Tackling small aspects of your professional life and working to improve and advance these skills will bring professional reward. If some area of management is getting you down, focus on a better way. Ask other professionals. Actively seek self improvement and in the role of relief teacher, you can do this every day.

The last post was an example of a newsletter from a friend's website. Donna asked me to write this for the start of 2012 K-3 Teacher Resources site. Donna manages and creates this site brilliantly. I would strongly recommend a little peek. You will be SO glad you did if you are planning tho specialize in the early years area.

http://www.k-3teacherresources.com/

You will see my post complete with a cute pirate ship "Sailing into the Sea of Supply Teaching" but more importanly you will have found a treasure trove of ideas.

So me -hearties ....all the best with the little crews you enounter on the high seas. Trust you don't make too many of themn walk the plank!

Live,laugh and learn....
Carmel

PS The next workshop will be mid to late May after I have spoken at Australian Catholic University on the 17th of April, 2012.