Well readers, I survived my first week as a teacher in the UK. At times, I didn't think it was going to happen, but it has! I have my official schedule...hopefully no major changes will occur from now on. I still have 1 Drama and 19 History classes (some of those 19 are the same class of students several times a week). I have a wide range of students---some of my classes are great we can accomplish so much in a 1 hour class and others...well we need a few 1 hour classes to get through the material based on the behaviour of students. I have officially set my first detentions but have also made some great bonds with students. It is the most amazing feeling to have students say hi to you in the hallway, try to give you their homework when they see you on their way to another class and have them talk to you about singing Katy Perry in their music lessons.
At the end of the day, the behaviour problems in my classes are forgotten. The kids will move on and so will I. They will serve their detentions and some will change their ways, but some may not. I cant let the behaviour get the best of me, I focus on the positive. On those students who come to me asking for help after class, or ask to use my class to do course work after school. On the students who eagerly tell me about their day or ask me for homework to complete when I don't assign any (they do exist!). I am able to teach these students some amazingly interesting History topics (no offense to Canada, but our history is boring in comparison) and I love it.
In addition, I have volunteered to work with the Breakfast Club. As many students from the school come from low economic backgrounds, our school offers free breakfast/place to hang out in the mornings for all students. Programs like these are so important to students and it will give me a great opportunity to get to know some of the kinds more personally and maybe I can get some more kids on my side in my "behavioural" classes. I have also been asked about working on a drama club/small theater production after school which I am excited about. I have had my drama class once so far, and needless to say they are a struggle. Most of the students entered the drama room and thought that chaos was except able...in my drama classroom as long as it is controlled chaos, it is okay...this was not controlled chaos. They are definitely a work in progress..we shall see. I am hoping that getting involved in extra curricular drama will give me the drama fix I am looking for while at the school.
Besides being at the school from early in the morning to dinner time, I went to Milton Keynes with a few friends this weekend. Milton Keynes is home to a huge shopping area. It was about a 45 min bus, only cost us 7pounds for a return ticket. We managed to hit up two sections of the mall..it seems to be a series of malls all connected together but way too much for one day. We spent a while trying to find a place to eat lunch...the only non-sit down place was McDonalds and all the restaurants had huge line ups. We finally settled on one, got some food in our systems and then went on shopping. I got some new work clothes...mainly from H&M (even though there is one in Luton, this one was much larger). It was a good day overall and we finished it with a typical Sunday dinner (even though it was Saturday) at the Carvery.
Bonus of the Week: I GOT PAID! No longer taking money out of Canadian accounts!
I'm so glad that things are working out for you. Taking it in stride, and letting it go at the end of the day, is the key. Some of those bonds you've made with students will last a lifetime - and aren't your students so much richer for that? And for you, there's nothing like touching a life...I feel that if I've touched just one life in my career, I've been successful...to have touched many puts a huge smile on my face. Keep touching those lives, look after yourself by enjoying your 'free' time and remember the smiles you share.
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