Future All Mapped Out!

That's me passed everything I need to pass to start teaching. Inevitable, but certain factors were out of my hands, until now. I have 2 weeks back at Uni, just tidying up paperwork and rounding things off, then that's me through till August. One small thing, to pay a visit to the school where I'll be teaching, meet the Rector, scope out my classroom and evaluate the teaching resources and equipment, see what I need! There are of course several unknown variables; who will be my mentor, which courses I'll be teaching and what level of support I will get, as a newly qualified teacher. I am looking forward to it, but of course there's a sense of trepidation. A visit next week should hopefully address my primary concerns.

I've started reading again as well after a prolonged period of book-abstinence. My choice of tome for re-entry into the World of literacy is "Spartan" by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, and Italian author, but translated into English obviously. I'm not that cultured! Of course I'm familiar with elements of the story of the Spartans and the book weaves in and out of the common legends. It's quite gripping, I've read a couple of his other books and he's fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I also have his "Alexander" trilogy, sitting patiently, awaiting my attention.

I'm planning bagging another couple of Munros tomorrow, but it's a bit up in the air at the moment, as the weather forecast keeps changing, and what was promised fine weather, may now well be low cloud and poor visibility. Can't have that, as I was intending to go off the beaten track, in which case I will be reliant on map and compass, but without visible landmarks a map would be no use. So, hopefully, the forecast will alter yet again, and I'll be able to have a grand day out tomorrow!

Disruptive Elements Will Be Forcibly Removed!

I had the sensational experience of witnessing some 1st year classes in action today. Three very different classes, that ranged from the sublime to the horrendous. The first class was moderately well behaved, but the second wasn't behaved at all. Just like in the photo above, one lad had to be removed from the class, he was so disruptive and he was creating this area of disturbance around him. I observed that he was not able to do the work at all, and supect that his behaviour was largely borne of frustration with himself. Even when he had been removed though, there were still some individuals pushing their luck. I thought the teacher showed a great deal of restraint with them. I'm not sure I could have.

The final 1st year class that I observed were impeccably well behaved. It was a fairly large class, but they worked away in almost complete silence. They got loads of work done, and demonstrated alarming skills for 12 year olds. When the lesson ended, they pushed their chairs in and stood behind the chairs, until given permission to leave. I couldn't believe it. I've seen 4th year classes this week that were many times worse discipline-wise.

My observation period is now drawing to a close, but the teacher has assured me, that upon my return in 4-5 weeks, I will be thrown to the lions, so to speak. Meaning, I'll be taking classes pretty much form the off. I can't say that I don't feel a degree of trepidation, who wouldn't? I'm sure though, that once I've overcame those initial nerves and just get on with it, I'll be alright!