Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Journalling

I was on the phone to my son this week, telling him about my blog. He admitted (well not really, but a mother can hope) that he was missing me as much as I am missing him. He knows that I do a lot of journelling, so he asked me to write my journal (diary) on my blog, so that he can know what I'm doing every day.

I'm sure, reading the diary of a `boring teacher' is not for everyone, but now and then I will come up with something inspirational.

One of the problems is, when do I find the time. I haven't even had a chance to put a picture on or tell you a bit more myself yet. I woke up a little early this morning to go for my walk, so maybe this will be a good time.

So here is my first journal item:

Date: October 8th 2008.

What a wonderful morning the Lord has given us. I started my walk this morning looking at the trees we planted many years ago - most of them don't look to be doing to well - but when looking a little closer, although they looked like they were dead, they did have a little new growth. The lemon tree even had a few lemons.

I guess that's how I'm feeling at the moment. As I start a new term at school, I feel a little `dead', overwhelmed again by all the work I have to do, lessons I have to plan, but most of all, all the people I have to please.

As a Learning Support teacher (they call us specialists, but no one takes much notice of what we say), working at four different schools, it is hard to keep everyone happy. One school isn't happy with their days, another school isn't happy with how much time they get, I believe some aren't even happy with my work. Parents, teachers and sometimes Principals think we are `miracle workers'. We diagnose a problem, give advice, and then we are supposed to fix the problem `in a week' (that's a little exaggeration).

Queensland teachers and Principals are all a little `stressed out' that we have not reached the National Benchmarks with literacy and numeracy. But parents and teachers need to remember, that when it comes to Year levels we are behind the rest of the nation. We have only had PREP for last 2 years. Where other schools start High School in Year 7, we start in Year 8. We have a lot of catching up to do. It is not the teacher's fault, and meanwhile we Learning Support teachers need to understand their stress, and do the best we can. I hope they can learn to have a little patience with us too.

That's my little bit of new growth! If I can learn to do this, I will be able to and hopefully meet the needs of my students the best I can.

My other bit of `new growth' came last night. Yesterday they were talking about overseas teaching and `getting lots of money'. So last night, my hubby and I got on the computer and checked it out. We decided that God and the family have always been first for us, and we see no need to be doing something `just for the money'. We have decided to move further, possibly in 2010, so we won't miss out on `grandchildren' and family, like our parents had to. It might not be as glamourous as Korea or China, but as for us simple `Queenslanders' it's okay!! Don't worry Aaron and Emily, we won't get too close!!!

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