I feel dirty. I feel like an agent from Orwell's 1984; or like a modern day Australian politician. That's right; I am learning the art of report writing. The mastery of Doublespeak, Weasel Words and educationalese.
I am one-sixth of the way through my first report drafts. It's a slow process, that's for sure - although I am trying to be as efficient as I can be. The problem is learning how to express the unsavoury truth in the most savoury fashion possible - how to recast deficits in a positive light. How not to say "your child is a collosal pain in the rear and will probably end up being a trolley collector."
It's not all bad of course - there are a few shining lights - but in general I'm finding this process quite challenging. Definitely something that I feel underprepared for by my teacher education courses; and definitely a process I'll be working on improving next semester.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Week Six: Stress
Just a short entry today...
The kid I had hope about (last entry) has not reappeared in my class. Can't go into where he is but the longer he's away the more that hope I was building ebbs away. I can't make a difference if I don't see him :-(
Up to my ears in marking in preparation for writing reports. I was at school until 6pm today and only did a fraction of what I need to do. But I can't be too hard on myself - I was fairly productive in other areas during the time I HAD planned on marking. Still, need to find time to get all that marking done before I can write accurate report comments.
Gripe of the week: teacher registration. Paying an annual fee so that some brand new organisation can record my name as a qualified teacher. Um, sorry, but isn't that what my degree was for? Didn't I already pay through the nose for that qualification? And what exactly does registration get me? The right to work in a job I already have? Well that's fine then. Glad we've got that covered.
High: Got told by two students in two days that I was their favourite teacher. This means more from one than it does from the other - which sounds horrible but boils down to knowing the potential for making a difference differs between the two. One will do fine, with or without me. The other I see as being on something of a knife's edge - with some support and guidance I hope I can keep him on the right side of educational institutions. Without that support I can see him dropping off the other side. So being his favourite teacher is a pretty big deal.
Apologies for the telegraphic style tonight - must empty head before bed, but also don't have the time or inclination to unpack all these random thoughts in detail. This is just a snippet of my day today but if all I can reflect on is snippets, then 'tis snippets I shall reflect on. Until next time.
The kid I had hope about (last entry) has not reappeared in my class. Can't go into where he is but the longer he's away the more that hope I was building ebbs away. I can't make a difference if I don't see him :-(
Up to my ears in marking in preparation for writing reports. I was at school until 6pm today and only did a fraction of what I need to do. But I can't be too hard on myself - I was fairly productive in other areas during the time I HAD planned on marking. Still, need to find time to get all that marking done before I can write accurate report comments.
Gripe of the week: teacher registration. Paying an annual fee so that some brand new organisation can record my name as a qualified teacher. Um, sorry, but isn't that what my degree was for? Didn't I already pay through the nose for that qualification? And what exactly does registration get me? The right to work in a job I already have? Well that's fine then. Glad we've got that covered.
High: Got told by two students in two days that I was their favourite teacher. This means more from one than it does from the other - which sounds horrible but boils down to knowing the potential for making a difference differs between the two. One will do fine, with or without me. The other I see as being on something of a knife's edge - with some support and guidance I hope I can keep him on the right side of educational institutions. Without that support I can see him dropping off the other side. So being his favourite teacher is a pretty big deal.
Apologies for the telegraphic style tonight - must empty head before bed, but also don't have the time or inclination to unpack all these random thoughts in detail. This is just a snippet of my day today but if all I can reflect on is snippets, then 'tis snippets I shall reflect on. Until next time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)