Week 36 One Daily Positive and Project 365. Back to School

Such a privilege to witness this change in history. So sad to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the end of an era and all I've ever known. It's triggered many memories of my Father and Grandparents and recalls of their memories of King George VI reign, his death and the Queens Coronation. 

I've been very moved by King Charles III composure and the rest of the Royal family as they've talked so openly about their Mother, so soon after her death.

245 Saturday Early morning walk into town with Bob for a coffee then afternoon spent cleaning the conservatory and watching movies.

246 Sunday Up early, off to Monmouth to drop off the spare keys for the flat to the new owner, took Bob with me for a walk and had a coffee. Visited the Twins for an hour, then on to see the Things with a birthday cake, then off to see our grandchild for the afternoon. I called in at my old neighbours for a cuppa, the whole family were there, lovely to see everyone. Home at 7pm and watched Disney+

247 Monday Back to work, went swimming on the way in. 3 days of training and admin this week. I'm working with year 8 and 9 this year, following last years students for continuity which is nice. Afternoon and evening spent watching TV. Massive thunder and lightening storm disturbed the cat and dog, so bed late and a bonus call with Peter.

248 Tuesday Decided to take the car due to the predicted storms rather than cycling. Stopped at the shops on the way home to pick up a birthday gift. Spent the evening blogging and watching TV.

249 Wednesday Went swimming on the way to work. I've taken out an annual membership, so as long as I swim twice a week I'm saving about £10 a month. Started sorting out the loft room with piles for selling, donating and recycling/binning.

250 Thursday A longer day at work and a food shop on the way home. Afternoon and evening spent glued to the TV. There were lots of tears.

251 Friday Sorted a bit more of the loft room and did the ironing, all with the TV on. Decorated the living room and blew up balloons to celebrate my Friday night chips and wine friend. Peter started his journey home and is spending the next week in Dubai.

On the blog this week:

Have you ever met or seen the Queen?

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My job as a Teaching Assistant.

I returned to full time work in March this year, after an 11 year break, minus 18 months 2016/2017 teaching in a school in Dubai. I've had other jobs from volunteering in townships to working in a covid vaccination site to working as a TV assistant on the European Golf Tour.

My last teaching job in the UK was delivering and assessing NVQ III students in the work place as Teaching Assistants. It was a role I wanted to return to initially, but with such a long time since I'd taught, getting interviews was difficult. I saw a post advertised at child 4's old school and was offered the job.

I arrive in work on my bike, in the car or on foot, via the swimming pool at 8.30am and leave at 3pm. I have no planning, no marking, no assessments.

I have 2 lessons, a 15 minute break, 2 lessons, 30 minute lunch, 2 lessons and home. I rarely stay past 3pm unless I want to, to send emails or updates students notes.

In interview when asked what my career progression was I replied that I didn't have one. I'm more than happy to do this role until I retire. I have all the school holidays off, other than 2 teacher training days, in which we can travel, visit our children and grandchildren in.

It's perfect.

Apart from the standard English, Maths, Science, Geography and History, I also support students in Home Economics, Design and Technology, Music, Art and Drama. We've been doing Performance Poetry on stage, I've been helping two classes with making a bottle opener from metal and plastic to baking, making hats, gloves and cushions

I have 2 regular students I support for around 12 lessons a week and around 10 other students I see on a regular basis and randomly cover other students if I'm needed. I work with years 7,8 & 9.

I love the variety of lessons I'm involved with. I have a good relationship with the students and the class teachers. I regularly support the rest of the students in the classes and often have to deal with behaviour issues when it disrupts me or my SEN students from working.

Most of the teachers are happy for me to do what I do in addition to the SEN students, handing out books, ensuring students have the correct equipment and supporting them with behaviour in the classroom to enable learning.

A couple of teachers have their way of doing things and quite often in my opinion have little control over the class and it can be very chaotic with little learning taking place. The same students work really hard in other lessons, despite being generally noisy regardless.

In addition to the SEN with my allocated students, I find myself dealing with bullying, safeguarding and injury during lesson change over and on my way to and from work. I've broken up fights on my way home and dealt with incidents on the way into school. I have a strong duty of care when I see someone in trouble and have an overwhelming urge to help. Some may say it's interfering or being a busy body, bt I can't ignore acts of unkindness, injury or safeguarding concerns.

I'm refreshing my knowledge, I'm recalling my own education and I'm learning new things everyday. I'm confident to say to a student or teacher, I don't know something and we will find out together how to work the answer out, which to me is the whole point of being a teaching assistant, to facilitate learning.

I supported a year 8 student with working out a maths problem, when the teacher asked him the answer and how he worked it out, he replied with '4' and 'Miss told me' 

I enjoy spending some of my break time playing table tennis, jenga and supporting students with their homework, not just the SEN children, but anyone who asks me for help.

Do you have experience as a teaching assistant? Does or did your child have support in school? 

Week 89 - Back to school and cold tea My Sunday Photo and Photalife

For many parents, they are celebrating Back to School by finishing a drink while it's still hot.

For me, I'm struggling to find time to make a drink let alone finish one while it's still hot, as my back to school is teaching.

Sunday is a working day in Dubai and despite only being back in school for 2 weeks, we are now off this week for Eid Al Adha.

Eid Al Adha is one of the holiest celebrations on the Islamic calendar. Known as the Feast of Sacrifice representing the end of Hajj. Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, but God told him to sacrifice an animal instead.

The day is celebrated with a morning prayer and the exchanging of gifts and food, with family and friends and the poor.