Stepping into the classroom for the first time a few weeks ago was a little nerve-wracking. I have done several teaching placements but with supply teaching you dont get an obervation period, you have no idea what your going to teach and you have no idea what the students will be like. I have never been given full control of the classroom before so you can imagine how nervous I was. On my first day of teaching I felt like everything I had been taught and learned had been wiped clean from my memory. However, when I began teaching it all came back and by the third day I felt more comfortable.
While teaching with ANZUK I taught 5/6's, 1/2's, highschool classes, Kindergareten, and 3/4's. I had been to many different schools and once I even had to substitute Italian classes all day. Australian schools do some things differently but in most cases the classrooms are very much the same, along with the curriculum. I have found many of the classrooms/schools to be advanced technogically. Many classrooms have laptops and most classrooms are equipped with a smart board.
I am much more comfortable with teaching now and am much more comfortable with planning lessons on the spot and being flexible. During placements I always had set plans and sometimes when you supply you are left with little or no plans so you need to be creative. At first I was uneasy with supply teaching because I am a planner, but in the long run I think this gives me a chance to see/experience how different teachers do things and I can learn to become a more comfortable and confident teacher. It helps me build on classroom management and behaviour management(especially since students think its a fun day if they have a supply teacher).
Moving out to the country worried me as I thought I wouldn't find anywork but thankfully I have had lots of good luck and have had many bookings already, and recieved a part-time contract at Bundalaguah (Bun-da-lag-you-ah) Primary School, 10 minutes out of Maffra. One of the school buildings is over 100 years old with its opening in 1872.
The schools consists of 40 students and consists of 4 classrooms (P-1, 2, 3/4, and 5/6) The school is built upon years of history with a starting time of 9:15. This time is historical because students had to finish barn chores/milking cows at home before they could attend school-so school started later. Additionally, the school bell is manually rung with a large steel bell (one of my favourite things).
The school congregates in a short assembly in the morning and at the end of the day as well in the courtyard, which is also very nice. I will be working there every Wednesday doing Art and Computers and every Friday I will be in the 5/6 class. I already met all the staff and students and they are wonderful! I am looking forward to my time at Bundalaguah Primary and hope I can learn more and I appreciate them giving me the oppourtunity to gain further teaching experience!
Mark has currently been working some long days because of calving season and each day has gotten better-organized wise. We plan to be living on the farm for sure by the end of next week, but we will keep you all updated!
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