The past few years have been difficult. In 2010 I re-trained as a primary teacher. I loved the course, even (or especially) when I found it challenging. Unfortunately, I picked a time when there were more teachers than positions and I have been unemployed (aside from some casual, non-teaching work) since then. I will admit to struggling with this situation and, at times, I felt like just giving up on the whole thing. I guess I couldn't stay away from schools though and kept on parent helping at my son's school and volunteering in a friend's classroom.
Eventually, my friend suggested (quite firmly) that I put my name down to relieve at her school. I had always resisted the relieving option, partly because I was a little intimidated by the idea but mostly because I am not that great at learning names quickly and I feel like I am disrespecting the children whose names don't stick easily. Fortunately, I have good friends who push me when I need it and the upshot was I managed to get some days relieving at two different schools in the latter half of 2013, including one full week with the same class. It made me think that perhaps I could do this. Those experiences also made me realise that, to my surprise, I missed writing a reflective journal to help process my time in the classroom. And so this blog was born.The start of another year brings new beginnings and lots
of good intentions. I am hoping this blog will be easier to stick to
than a new diet!
On a totally unrelated note (and only because I wanted to include a cute cat photo), in late 2013 we welcomed Rory the kitten to our family. His mum was a rescue cat and she and her kittens were fostered by a lovely family before making their way to new homes, one of which was ours. He is lively and loving and we adore him.
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| Rory the kitten with the Tardis. It is bigger on the inside. |
