Admittedly I've never (sorry to all those religious people out there) understood Easter break and why we have two weeks off. Now, as teacher I truly understand. Apart from the important side, Jesus dying and coming back to life (and being astounded that some of my children, after reading the story, told me that 'Jesus carried a cross up a hill'), it's the first real opportunity to recharge the batteries. And I've taken full advantage!
As an NQT I often feel guilty for ever letting my mind slip to other things, for allowing myself to read a non related fiction book about some girl who's in a coma, gives birth and then strange things start happening to her loved ones and then quite literally the world ends and I wonder why I wasted that day on reading a book only to find they were always doomed. This is the stuff that makes me happy. Getting lost in a story that's completely random. Writing, putting words together, making sense of my own thoughts as I type whatever enters my head at that moment.
How is it really going as an NQT? Honestly, I love this job. I see so many teachers walking away because it is hard. The amount of administration, the tough Ofsted inspections, the amount of justification necessary on a daily basis and the lack of time to actually spend with the children. Yeah, it is hard. But this is what we signed up for. Not to sound like a cliche but its all about that moment with the children and seeing that light switch on. They can do and can be anything they want to be, and as a teacher we have such a vital role in that journey. It's a beautiful thing.
As an NQT I have to go through lots of observations, which I quite like because it gives me a chance to get feedback and criticism. A vital part of being a teacher is being able to take criticism and listen to other people's ideas. This is an especially important factor as an SEN teacher, where everyday is completely different. What works one morning might not work the next. Small measures put into place can take months of routine before results are seen. It's always the little things that please me.
Seeing children independently match their labels to the independent task boxes as they come in the morning.
A child independently recalling that this week we are looking at 'baby animals'.
A child independently going to their choosing board and selecting the object they will receive after their hard work, when for weeks they'd get frustrated and refuse.
A child independently holding their spoon to put in their mouth (and dropping it straight onto the floor or your lap afterwards).
Having a child wave to me in the morning as they walk in with the biggest smile on their face.
Seeing a non-verbal child repeating all the signs to a song that you've taught them in front of a mirror and giggling the whole time.
Having a child reach out to take your hand to do something they're scared of, because they trust you.
Hearing a child get excited and repeating the phoneme that they've seen somewhere in the classroom, looking so proud of themselves.
It isn't easy. As a deaf person it's probably a little bit trickier, but it would be too easy to stop, to let the world pass me by just because its 'hard'.
I didn't chose to be deaf. I chose to become a teacher. I often look around my classroom to see the children doing something inspirational and I smile to myself, because I am the lucky one.
