Greetings to my loyal readers (all five of you lol), it’s time for another weekly update in the life of Bryan.
Unfortunately, I don’t have much news to report. The weather has turned “stereotypical British” (i.e. cold and rainy) which has put a damper on my sight-seeing exhibitions (hence no new pictures in a while). Also, work has picked up, keeping me busy every day of the week – good news for my bank account, bad news for my blog. So, apologies for the sparseness of this blog...
I’ve continued to broaden my school experiences this week – in addition to teaching and nursery nursing, I worked a day in an all-girls secondary school as a cover supervisor. Now, you may be asking yourselves “what is a cover supervisor”? In a nutshell, it’s someone schools bring in to babysit their classes while the teacher is out. Unlike supply teachers, cover supervisors do not need to hold any sort of qualifications (only a valid police check), as they are not there to teach. The work (usually busy work in the form of worksheets) is left and they are merely there to maintain discipline and make sure the students complete the work. As you may imagine, this is a bit controversial: it cuts down on the number of supply teaching jobs and puts people who may have no formal training in charge of children in order to save money (stupid budget crunch).
Anyways, I enjoyed my time at that school – it was the easiest work I’ve done so far over here. I was in two Grade 7 math classes (algebra), a Grade 8 French class and a Grade 10 Music class. Maybe it was because the classes were composed entirely of girls or maybe it was their age, but there was a lot less rowdiness compared to other classes I’ve taught. The day also underscored the difference in teaching styles between primary and secondary – namely, an increase in independence and a higher level of talk and reasoning.
It’s been a bit quiet on the social scene, but I did manage to make it out to my Magic draft (got my first sack land!) and finally met some of my Facebook friends in person.
***EDIT: Oh wow, I can't believe I left out the most important part of the meet-up I went to on the weekend! We went to this American-style diner for dinner where I found my new favorite beverage... Banana Bread Beer! It was amazing - it tasted just like liquid banana bread with a slight beer aftertaste. I was in heaven.***
Let’s hope this coming week will bring a bit more news. I have three more days booked in my local nursery and a few more leads on permanent work for the New Year. The schools should start interviewing for those positions soon (fingers crossed).
Sunday 29 November 2009
Sunday 22 November 2009
The Bestest Teacher
Well all, here we are at the end of one week and the beginning of another.
First off, unfortunately I have to announce that my blog entry was not chosen. It’s too bad ‘cause I really liked it – guess it may have been a little too artsy lol. Oh well, I’m not upset about it... this just means I have more time to write on my blog.
In terms of work, this week has been a first for me – I’ve had full teaching work every day! The majority of my work has been from schools calling me back. As well, I’m booked for 3 days of work next week. Teaching is good...
As you can imagine, I’ve had reason to reflect upon how lucky I’ve been thus far. It’s true that the work was slow to come and that I’ve made some mistakes in the beginning (ok, that hasn’t changed – I still make mistakes lol), but overall things have been good. I’ve got my health, friends, a roof over my head, my finances are stabilizing and I’m doing something I love to do in LONDON! This week, I had one of those special moments that just gives you that warm feeling inside and makes teaching so worth it:
I was walking up to the staff room (at a school I’ve been called back to several times) for lunch when I passed two Year 3 students. One stops, turns to me and says, “Mr. Kearley, I think you’re my bestest teacher. And my friend here thinks you’re his bestest teacher too.”
At the end of the day, while I was watching my students being picked up, I met the boy’s aunt and was told that he had been “raving” about me back home. Apparently, the online story site (Tumble Books) was so enjoyable that several of students looked it up and were reading stories at home from it. It's days like that that make me glad I chose teaching as a profession.
First off, unfortunately I have to announce that my blog entry was not chosen. It’s too bad ‘cause I really liked it – guess it may have been a little too artsy lol. Oh well, I’m not upset about it... this just means I have more time to write on my blog.
In terms of work, this week has been a first for me – I’ve had full teaching work every day! The majority of my work has been from schools calling me back. As well, I’m booked for 3 days of work next week. Teaching is good...
As you can imagine, I’ve had reason to reflect upon how lucky I’ve been thus far. It’s true that the work was slow to come and that I’ve made some mistakes in the beginning (ok, that hasn’t changed – I still make mistakes lol), but overall things have been good. I’ve got my health, friends, a roof over my head, my finances are stabilizing and I’m doing something I love to do in LONDON! This week, I had one of those special moments that just gives you that warm feeling inside and makes teaching so worth it:
I was walking up to the staff room (at a school I’ve been called back to several times) for lunch when I passed two Year 3 students. One stops, turns to me and says, “Mr. Kearley, I think you’re my bestest teacher. And my friend here thinks you’re his bestest teacher too.”
At the end of the day, while I was watching my students being picked up, I met the boy’s aunt and was told that he had been “raving” about me back home. Apparently, the online story site (Tumble Books) was so enjoyable that several of students looked it up and were reading stories at home from it. It's days like that that make me glad I chose teaching as a profession.
Sunday 15 November 2009
Do I Have the Write Stuff?
Last week's gone fairly well. Similarly to last week, the work is picking up and I've met some more people.
I've entered a writing contest held by Protocol Education to find two writer's for a paid bi-monthly blog spot on their website. For supply teachers by supply teachers. So I may be a paid writer soon! Wish me luck!
To enter I was required to write a 50-100 word piece entitled "A Day in the Life of a Supply Teacher" to demonstrate by writing ability. I decided to go with a flash fiction style of writing due to take advantage the low word cap. I know, I know... most of you are thinking, "Bryan keeping his writing short?! Get out of here!" Well, here's my entry, I'll let you be the judge...
I've entered a writing contest held by Protocol Education to find two writer's for a paid bi-monthly blog spot on their website. For supply teachers by supply teachers. So I may be a paid writer soon!
To enter I was required to write a 50-100 word piece entitled "A Day in the Life of a Supply Teacher" to demonstrate by writing ability. I decided to go with a flash fiction style of writing due to take advantage the low word cap. I know, I know... most of you are thinking, "Bryan keeping his writing short?! Get out of here!" Well, here's my entry, I'll let you be the judge...
A Day in the Life of a Supply Teacher
By: Bryan Kearney
6:30AM. You awake to a blaring alarm. Silencing it, rubbing sleep from tired eyes, you lay back feeling a familiar mix of nervousness, suspense and excitement wash over you. New challenges are in store
7:00AM. Sitting by your phone, waiting for the call. Thoughts running through your head.
Where? Across town to teach Year 6 History? Around the corner to a Nursery school? No idea.
Who? It doesn’t matter – kids are kids.
Each day brings different details but the same journey.
Saturday 7 November 2009
A Busy Week
Finally I’ve had a busy week – 4 days of work (kind of)! Let’s see the breakdown:
Also, I was able to make it down to Clapham Common to see the Bonfire Night fireworks on Thursday. Bonfire night is in memory of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot which Guy Fawkes and his Catholic conspirators planned to blow up the House of Parliament while it was in session. Thus overthrowing the Protestant aristocracy and re-establishing Catholic power. During this night, fireworks are set off and effigies of Fawkes are burned in bonfires (I haven't actually seen this, but its what I've been told).
- Tuesday: Teaching a Year 2 class at an Outstanding OFSTED school.
- Wednesday: Called back to a local Nursery school to work as a TA.
- Thursday: I went into London to invigilate an exam - it was a make-up for one student who finished in an hour.
- Friday: Covering a Year 1 class in the morning and a Year 3 class in the afternoon at an open-concept school where each year group shared an area. At first I was a little nervous at being “on display” (as I was told that the classrooms only had 3 walls), but really it was great to have the extra shared area for activity times. There was a lot of opportunity for center-based, exploration learning.
Also, I was able to make it down to Clapham Common to see the Bonfire Night fireworks on Thursday. Bonfire night is in memory of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot which Guy Fawkes and his Catholic conspirators planned to blow up the House of Parliament while it was in session. Thus overthrowing the Protestant aristocracy and re-establishing Catholic power. During this night, fireworks are set off and effigies of Fawkes are burned in bonfires (I haven't actually seen this, but its what I've been told).
Monday 2 November 2009
I Have Friends!!
Whoops! Look at the day - time sure does fly. My apologies to my readers, I know this is supposed to be a weekly blog, but I've been getting busy and I missed Sunday's update.
So, "what have I been up to?" you ask... well, as many of you know, last week was half-term over here. The way the school year works over here is that students get a week off halfway through each of the three terms. You may think that sounds like a lot, but it balances out by shortening the summer holidays to 6 weeks. The holidays are more spread out, which is something I quite agree with - 6 weeks is long enough for most family vacations and the children have a shorter time to lazy around and forget what they've learned. One of the downsides is that it’s a shorter time for summer jobs...
During this half-term, I decided to stay in London and did a bunch of day trips (thank goodness the weather was beautiful). These included going to Westfield Mall, the National Theater, Nunhead Cemetery (see photos), playing Magic and visiting various other places. Also, as my title suggests, these have not all been solo activities – surprisingly I’ve been able to meet quite a few people (thanks in a large part to the handy Facebook groups and a few awesome organizers). I can really see some strong friendships forming (it’s like Korea all over again lol).
The Westfield mall is this massive collection of stores and beautifully built (fairly new I believe). About half of the shops were either clothes or shoes... June, you (and a fair few other ladies I can think of) would have been in heaven. The fashions I saw were a bit different than in Canada... the only way I can think to describe them is “trendy European” lol. I’ll definitely be back to purchase some of the shirts!
At the National Theater, I watched the play, “Mother Courage and All Her Children”. It was translated from Bertolt Brecht’s 1939 play “Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder” (oooh... I feel so cultural) and is quite bleak. It follows the life of a merchant woman and her three children as they profiteer from the Thirty Years’ war between the Germany and Poland. Mother Courage is enthusiastic about war and how much money they can make from selling merchandise to both sides. However, as the war drags on, supplies and money run low and, one by one, her children die leaving her to pull the cart alone. The music, performed by Duke Special, was perfect and I loved every minute of it. Click here to see what I mean.
So, "what have I been up to?" you ask... well, as many of you know, last week was half-term over here. The way the school year works over here is that students get a week off halfway through each of the three terms. You may think that sounds like a lot, but it balances out by shortening the summer holidays to 6 weeks. The holidays are more spread out, which is something I quite agree with - 6 weeks is long enough for most family vacations and the children have a shorter time to lazy around and forget what they've learned. One of the downsides is that it’s a shorter time for summer jobs...
During this half-term, I decided to stay in London and did a bunch of day trips (thank goodness the weather was beautiful). These included going to Westfield Mall, the National Theater, Nunhead Cemetery (see photos), playing Magic and visiting various other places. Also, as my title suggests, these have not all been solo activities – surprisingly I’ve been able to meet quite a few people (thanks in a large part to the handy Facebook groups and a few awesome organizers). I can really see some strong friendships forming (it’s like Korea all over again lol).
The Westfield mall is this massive collection of stores and beautifully built (fairly new I believe). About half of the shops were either clothes or shoes... June, you (and a fair few other ladies I can think of) would have been in heaven. The fashions I saw were a bit different than in Canada... the only way I can think to describe them is “trendy European” lol. I’ll definitely be back to purchase some of the shirts!
At the National Theater, I watched the play, “Mother Courage and All Her Children”. It was translated from Bertolt Brecht’s 1939 play “Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder” (oooh... I feel so cultural) and is quite bleak. It follows the life of a merchant woman and her three children as they profiteer from the Thirty Years’ war between the Germany and Poland. Mother Courage is enthusiastic about war and how much money they can make from selling merchandise to both sides. However, as the war drags on, supplies and money run low and, one by one, her children die leaving her to pull the cart alone. The music, performed by Duke Special, was perfect and I loved every minute of it. Click here to see what I mean.
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