Miss Art of Teaching

Over in Australia, we only have one more day until the school holidays. We have a two-week break and I NEED IT! I have a few things that I would love to do including the Easter Show carnival, a road trip with my high school friends and just spending more time with my family. Teaching is meant to get easier as the years go by but I feel like I am only truly learning the trade now. There is a never ending pile of work to do and it is the passion that keeps me sane. Looking back at my school photos, I can see how my face has warped. I have stopped exercising as a whole and I can feel how tired my body becomes after a full day of work. After work hours, I am home again making more resources and/or marking.  Above: The far left photo is the latest version of myself. I have been teaching for five years. Above: I have been eating quite unhealthy and have not been looking after my well being as much as I would like. My workload for this holiday seems a bit frightening...

Being a high school teacher, Year 7 Adviser, Facebook admin, rewards program runner keeps me busy. The thing about this job is that our 'work' brain never switches off. We are constantly thinking of our students, our workload and our relationships with people (staff and parents/carers). I regularly maintain my school's Facebook page to promote what we are doing to the wider community. I am one of the five admins. On the Facebook page, you will find important notices for upcoming events, photos of students inside and outside of the classroom (photos taken with permission), prizes that we have up on the school Vivo rewards shop and general information. Parents and carers can like posts, leave comments or give us a private message.  Being an admin has its perks. It works hand in hand with the school Vivo rewards program as I can make announcements of the prizes available and take photos of the prize recipients. Being a Year Adviser, I try to share photos of the Year 7 stud...

This year I want to balance social life and work life more. Last year I was almost burning out like a first year teacher. Funny thing about my teaching life is that I had a really easy first year and as the years added on, I was setting more challenges for myself. I am constantly trying to balance a lot more on my plate as there is so much I just want to do. This year, I am coping a lot better as I am used to the workload and I have a MUCH MORE organised classroom. Today a Year 7 put his hand up and asked a really important question 'Why can't all the other rooms in the school be as cool as this room?' It really felt like a big high five was passed around to me. I am finding that an organised room with the right amount of visuals and aesthetic appeal can really help students relax and take responsibility in the classroom. I don't want to jinx it but there has been hardly any rubbish left behind by students, sink is always clean and I am getting ALL my pencils, rubbers...