80 days reflections

When I started teaching I didn't realise how important it is to reflect on the week. I have been doing it in my mind but I do see the benefit of having it written down. If you asked me 80 days ago, when I first started teaching I would have definitely have told you my reflections during teaching practice were a waste of time. I can stress enough how important it is to learn from what you are doing.

So I have completed my journey and I have become a music teacher at Livingstone High School in Claremont, Cape Town. I know that teaching is definitely for me but I have been thinking a lot about the type of school I am at and whether it is the right fit for me. As a fist time teacher I would have liked to have mentor who could really show me the working model of the school curriculum. Putting two new teachers in a department means that there is very little guidance which i didn't even know I needed until a couple of weeks back.A year of PGCE is good to have and the teaching practice is a good indicator of what is too come but there is just far more that is expected of a teacher than stated in the job description.

No one teaches you how to handle inter-colleague conflict or the steps to having healthy work relationships. All of these things just get sprung on you.

In my last 80 days i have been through so much and I can see the growth that I have undergone over this time period. Coming fresh out of university into a work environment can age you and I think it is important to note that things cannot stay the same. It is also important to allow yourself time to adjust. The first term is just kind of finding your feet in who you are, you role as teacher and how to balance life.

Honestly I have my keys in my hand and bag on my back crying and ready to leave, but I didn't because I know that I am here for a reason. I may not know the reason yet but it is a part of my journey. Growing is not an easy endeavor but I am willing to take the challenge and allow myself to take everything I can from this experience.

5 weeks to exams.