Today was my first day in Kindergarten! Oh what a day it was. The teacher I was in for I know from experience is very prepared so I was confident to go into their class even though my experience with the little ones is limited. Students at this time of the year are still learning the routines in class and are very chatty. Thank goodness for SEAs, have I said that enough yet? Students worked on tracing their names, practicing the number 4 and math centres. Then PE, fire drill and who stole the cookie class book. Snack and recess, play and lunch and a power outage. Calendar and special helper time. Cutting out orange shirts and writing words such as hope, love, respect, etc. and then painting a heart on them. Kids got to do centres and kinetic sand was everywhere! All in all it was a good day.
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I picked up my first assignment from the workboard which was for a resource floater at a Secondary school. I thought for sure I would be reassigned to a classroom due to teacher shortages however that was not the case. I was assigned to the complex resource program which does not have a full time teacher. The current case manager works at the district and supports two schools because the district cannot hire complex resource teachers. The SEAs in the program know the routines and the students and really I am only here for my teaching credentials. I like to feel useful and it's frustrating when I can't do much to help. It was great to catch up with an SEA I used to work with, she's so friendly and helpful. The first block there were no students in the program so I was reassigned to teach textiles. Again, had help from SEAs in the class and was able to give some suggestions to students as well. Good students who all used their time well and seemed like they wanted to be there.
The case manager did come by the class and I was able to get a couple things to help with organization, we had a short chat about the needs for teachers in complex resource and then she was off. A side note - I remember the staff room when I was a TTOC before being not the most welcoming and it has not changed. People have their little groups or they sit by themselves and are on their phones. A retired TTOC arrived who I used to work with so we did have a short conversation but that's about it. Back to another large Secondary school in the district. The teacher I was in for today has a resource background and has a combination of core classes and support blocks where they push into other classes to help. When I arrived at the office I was told in the afternoon when I would have been doing push in support that I would need to cover a woodworking class because they were short TTOCs. Fortunately that changed and I was able to continue with the day as planned. The first block was a core Math 9 class and the students were wonderful. I was given a practice package for them to work on and the students were receptive to help from myself and the two SEAs. The teacher did leave an answer key however they did not assign marks nor ask for me to mark the work. I did collect the sheets when the students had finished and left them for the teacher. The next block was core Science 10 and students were to be working on an energy project. Majority of them used ipads to do their research and create a PowerPoint presentation, some answered equations on their sheets and were making a poster. A few were not engaged but were respectful when I spoke with them. This class also had an SEA which was helpful for the students.
After lunch I went to the class I was assigned for push in support but the room was empty. I guess it's a linear class and today was a prep for that teacher. I went to a learning support room to ask where else I could support and the teacher there only had three students. She sent me to three different classes and none to them required my support. I spent a good portion of the block walking around the school and campus looking for someone to help. I ended up back in the learning assistance room and was able to set up my ability to photocopy and access MyEd BC. I also had time to do some reading for my PME courses. A student near the end of the block needed some help with a project and I gladly assisted them. I am feeling more comfortable back in schools and I think the students are noticing as well. Students are more receptive to me regardless of the work or lack of work they have. It's great to be back! Today I taught at another large Secondary school in the lower mainland. Astronomy 12 and Science 9. The Astronomy classes (two of them) were to watch a couple of videos the teacher features in themselves. This teacher has their own YouTube channel and many videos about astronomy, which is their passion area. I've learned not to tell students that space freaks me out because it is similar to telling someone you don't draw. It shuts down any additional conversation between students and yourself. I told the students about the Nishimura green comet that was discovered in August by a amateur astronomer and passed by the Earth September 17, the first time in 400 years.
During what should have been my prep I was asked to cover a Math 9 class. The students were to hand in their homework then write two quizzes. The students were well behaved and tried their best on the quizzes. If the teacher had left the answer key for the quizzes I could have marked them after school although this is a strange area, is it my responsibility to mark if I am only covering one block? Should I have created my own answer key to mark them? As a former classroom teacher I would not expect a TTOC to mark work, especially if they did not have prep time or an answer key. The last block of the day was Science 9. The notes for students were on their Teams and students were to work on their projects. I really wish teachers would leave the criteria for the project, some details on where they should be at. These classes become a classroom management nightmare as I don't know what students should be doing. They are on their phones constantly and it feels like a waste of time, however, at the end of the day the students were kind and wished me a good afternoon. Not one of them was rude and it's amazing how that little gesture from them was enough to change my perspective of the entire class. I look forward to a day when I am given a lesson to teach or students who will engage with me. How do I get the students to engage with me when they don't know me, and I don't want to take away from their work time. Another diversion from the regular day was an Earthquake drill followed by a fire drill/evacuation. Knowing the procedures is important and having the proper forms in the emergency binder. It's been great to see colleagues in the schools but I can see if my days continue the way they are I will not want to continue to TTOC in future years. Back to a large secondary school for the day teaching math and science. The teacher left a TTOC plan and uploaded videos and notes on Teams. I borrowed a school laptop from the library and had a student log on so we could access the video on Teams however the laptop would not connect to the TV in the room so we could not project the video. Fortunately students come to class with their own laptops or phones and could access Teams themselves. The teacher wrote in their notes that I could send them a message on Teams if I had any questions which I did and they were quick to respond. It's great that they're accessible but shows that even when a teacher is away sick, they're still working!
I had a grade 12 student gather their stuff and head out the door without saying anything to me. They were sitting across the room (portable) and knew they could get out the door before I could reach them. They never did return to class and they do not understand that I am responsible for them. I reported the incident to the office and left a note for the classroom teacher. It's a good reminder to set the rules at the beginning of class. In the grade 9 class I counted that all students were present so I didn't have to go through the attendance list. Instead I went table to table and had the students introduce themselves to me. I of course won't remember all their names but at least I've heard how they pronounce their names. I will try this for another class to see if it helps build a connection with students. Things to add to my TTOC toolkit. Paper, pen and pencil for myself, pens and pencils to lend or sell to students. Bringing my laptop has been helpful to look up videos or definitions and of course to write my blog. I need to be mindful on how much stuff I am carrying around but will start with the basics. Today I taught grade 6 at a middle school. I was a bit nervous on my way to work as this would be the first time with students in over five years. Getting the assignment at 7:35am basically meant hop in the car and away you go. The morning was meant to start with an assembly however the technology wasn't working and the assembly was postponed until the next day. So it became a bit of a scramble on what we were going to do for another hour as there was no alternate plan for this situation! (This comment is NOT criticism of the classroom teacher, merely an example on why a Teacher Teaching On Call should come prepared with additional activities when the unexpected happens.) For those curious about the video I found (and quickly previewed before showing students) see the clip below. Following an extended recess, (you're welcome kids), it was on to teach social studies. The students were learning about the six types of government and had a four page work package to go through. I found a video on YouTube to introduce the topic and then had students take turns reading a passage aloud. I love that the student who told me he didn't speak English volunteered to read and did an awesome job! The students were well behaved and I enjoyed my time with them. I also am extremely grateful for having an SEA in the class as I value their knowledge of the school and students. We worked well together and she helped me gain my confidence again in the class. It was only a half day as I had an appointment in the afternoon. Great way to ease back into the classroom. Park my car and walk towards the school and see student leaders blowing bubbles and welcoming grade 9 students and staff. Sign in at the office and get the instructions for the day. Coffee and muffins for staff and time to mingle. Line up and form a gauntlet to welcome half of the grade 9s. Why only half you might ask? Because there's over 600 grade 9 students!! Brief introduction from the new principal including over 30 new teachers. This school is the largest in the district with approximately 2350 students. The school is called a learning campus as it has multiple portables and takes up space in the neighbouring middle school.
New grade 10-12 students are around the school for an orientation and I spent my time connecting with teachers. It's an amazing way to start the year although I feel like I should be doing something more to help. Some teachers have been at the school for years, others moved schools over the summer. Many teachers were not aware that I was leaving my role as local President and my explanation on what I am doing is quickly becoming more polished. "I tagged a continuing TTOC position last year and did not run again for president. I am TTOCing on Mondays and Tuesdays and on an educational leave on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I am working on my masters in Educational Administration through Queens University. I am going to have a fantastic year". In an hour we will welcome the remaining grade 9 students then make our way to the Events Centre for lunch and a staff meeting. All in all it's a pretty good start to the year! |
Tanya KerrThe first six years of teaching were spent as a TTOC. Now returning to this role after many years of either being a full time teacher or in a released position in the union. Archives
April 2024
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