Blogging Brilliant!

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A friend of mine was the first to keep a blog. She was the one who introduced me to this somewhat bizairre concept in the first place. Her entries consist of the day to day events that occur in her life, the angry moments, the happy moments, the drunken moments ;) She has recorded an entry on her blog stating that her blog is less worthy than my mere ramblings!

To SPANAIR i say the following...

You're blog is braver, more entertaining and more sensational than anything I could ever possibly write. I called you last night to seek advice on a little writing project; that's how much better you are!

At some point in her life the wonderful, intelligent and beautiful (NOT FAT!) span is going to have to realise that she IS wonderful, intelligent, beautiful and more than worthy of praise!! lol

Three cheers for SPAN!

Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!

With nobs on.

Check it out! lol

What makes teaching a profession?

I was asked this question in an education exam during my degree years. I failed that exam first time round. Many of my friends at the time managed to pass this test by talking of the "round table" and king Arthur. I, on the other hand,found this question to be bizarre and a difficult one to answer.

After 3 years of teaching in mainstream Secondary Education I am still struggling to answer this question. I have come to the conclusion that, unfortunately, professionalism means different things to different teachers.
To some it means that you always put the kids first and that every decision you make has to be weighed up, not only on its merits for you as an individual, but also for the merits of the pupils.
To others it means that you don't gossip behind other staff members backs, you keep excellent records so that when a parent calls and complains you can justify yourself (I would have loved to see a parent try that on Ms. Maguire back in day) and you always follow the government protocol's to the letter.
Some believe that professionalism is routed in the head and that you should do as he does and say as he says.

Teaching it seems is a very confused profession. At least in my eyes.

How will teaching ever begin to be a profession if we, as teachers, don't ever exercise our rights to make our own decisions in the classroom? How will I ever be allowed to do all the good that I can for the young people in my care if instead of prioritising the pupils in my Year 9 form, I am told that a small black folder which should be returned to the office daily, should be my "top priority". Surely he can't mean that?

For now, I've decided that professionalism has to involve child centred thought processes. If it isn't going to help it goes to the bottom of my priority list. If I think it will damage the kid's future I'll make a professional judgement and I won't do it. I have a right to remain a professional. I have a right to be treated as one.

cats sleep why can't i? 

How nice it would be to be cat!

They sleep all day in a nice warm, comfy bed. Get fed and chase meaningless objects. Sounds Great!

School life? It's all those holidays and short hours!

My "holiday"

When working with young people you invariably expect to support and comfort them when they feel that they are dealing with things that are far out of their understanding and reach. Why is it that when working with young people the adults around you seem to require more energy and understanding than any of the teenagers in your charge?

Teaching is an incredibly stressful job. It is emotionally demanding and physically draining. Only those who have never experienced this humble profession will ever scoff at the apparently long holidays and short hours. Those of us living the profession will talk about the never ending amount of paper work, target setting and curriculum guidelines which ensure that teachers spend more time working for the bureaucrats than they do for their pupils or families. "Holidays" are spent marking, planning, double checking, report writing etc. As for Sunday? Very few teachers will ever agree that Sundays is a day of rest (Least of all those of us working in Catholic schools).

Thank you to all of those pupils out there who surprise you with small tokens of their appreciation. Without you I'd have quit a long time ago.
It is a shame that certain colleagues can not afford to show them same amount of thanks or respect.

One day they'll learn that a smile and word of praise can go a long way....