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.
Showing posts with label marking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marking. Show all posts
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.
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