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Well, my first year of teaching is done…

Teachers are supposed to be reflective (not in the shiny sense), so here are some quick reflections on 2006.

• I’m suprised at how difficult this first year has been. It has been busy and exhausting. A huge amount of work and tight timeframes. On top of that, an accreditation process where I had to document and annotate a bundle of work to show the Institute of Teachers that I could do it all.
• I thought I would be a “technology” teacher, but two things have impeded that so far:
  1. the lack of available technology (ie. ‘technology’ still means taking students to a computer lab). Going to a computer lab, means a whole lesson. So, integrating technology into the classroom means going to another classroom which leads to point 2.
  2. much of my learning this year was how to use lesson structure as a behaviour management strategy. So, a change of rooms, a change of pattern upsets that strategy.
• I am astonished at the conditions that teachers work in. I’m not even talking about employment conditions, but the physical space – the school, the classrooms, the staffroom. The classroom that reaches well over 40°C in summer. The pigeons, the grime that’s years old, cleaning chairs and tables. The cramped staffroom where I really don’t have sufficient space to prepare a lesson. The lack of easy access to a computer.
• Yet, it has been an enjoyable year. I’ve learnt so much, I’ve worked with dedicated people with a real enthusiasm despite the obstacles and I’m looking forward to improving in this profession.

Looking forward, 2007 should be a year of consolidation and hopefully will provide some better opportunities for my own flavour of teaching to develop.

• Whilst this holiday time has been relaxing – there’s a constant niggling in the background. I know the students who will be in my classes next year. I know the challenges they will present.
• I am also daunted by what lies ahead. I am assuming the preparation put into year 1 will pay off in year 2. But, of course, I would like to develop in this profession not just continue on with what happened in year 1. This is one of my concerns. I already have two non-faculty activities that I give time to, plus this year sees my move to a full load without any space for meetings with my mentor or head teacher. So, where is the time to develop myself?
• Will technology become a greater part of my teaching? I’d really welcome a permanently mounted projector in my classroom wired to a computer on some sort of podium, with an internet connection of course. This would give me so much flexibility in how a lesson is presented, how complex concepts are demonstrated, and how we as a class can stretch our minds a little and look at real-life applications. Will it happen? I don’t know. I did get to suggest it in response to a question from the deputy principal.

Did you know, in the next couple of years, 50% of teachers will be in their first 3 years! That means I’ll be one of the most experienced teachers around!