Now that the dreaded portfolio is almost out of the way, you'd think there'd be some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this last week of term.
No! You're wrong. Instead it's time to step it up on the leadership front.
Firstly WA4:
with reference to your practice this year identify some of the factors that demonstrate that you have had high expectations of pupils and shown a commitment to raising educational achievement
This isn't just another written assignment. It's a 10 min live presentation, incorporating theory, practice, evidence, strengths, weaknesses, and strategy (both teaching and presentation). Currently my plan is to do ten minutes of mime. I think mime is underused in teacher training. I'm not really inspired to do this yet.
No fear though, if WA4 doesn't quite tickle my tastebuds, well, there's always the assignment on "defining my leadership journey" to do instead. This is a three part written exercise involving reading and reviewing a leadership book, interviewing two inspirational leaders, and defining my own leadership journey (obviously). See WA4 with regards to motivation to do this right now.
I know all this stuff in school and with TF is meant to make us into strong leaders, but it's really tricky to pinpoint exactly what we do that transforms us. Is it the teaching? Is it managing resources and people? Is it the workshops and masterclasses and conferences? Is it being able to maintain our enthusiasm, passion and drive? Is it simply being there every day, aiming for more?
I don't know if I'm a leader yet.
And finally, the TF summer picnic was a bit lame yesterday. The venue was the indoor beach at the O2 - decidedly overhyped - more like a big pile of sand than a proper beach. Alas it seems TF had spent all their money on the hire charge since there was only one free drink (which you had to pay a pound for if soft drinks were too soft for you) and the food stopped at 2pm.
A far cry from last year's Cobra sponsored affair in the playing fields of St Paul's Girls' School. Chocolate fountains, inflatable sumo wrestling, gourmet catering, and, crucially, more Pimm's and Cobra than the eye could see - a wonderful TF event indeed. This year, well, a resounded "could do better".
No! You're wrong. Instead it's time to step it up on the leadership front.
Firstly WA4:
with reference to your practice this year identify some of the factors that demonstrate that you have had high expectations of pupils and shown a commitment to raising educational achievement
This isn't just another written assignment. It's a 10 min live presentation, incorporating theory, practice, evidence, strengths, weaknesses, and strategy (both teaching and presentation). Currently my plan is to do ten minutes of mime. I think mime is underused in teacher training. I'm not really inspired to do this yet.
No fear though, if WA4 doesn't quite tickle my tastebuds, well, there's always the assignment on "defining my leadership journey" to do instead. This is a three part written exercise involving reading and reviewing a leadership book, interviewing two inspirational leaders, and defining my own leadership journey (obviously). See WA4 with regards to motivation to do this right now.
I know all this stuff in school and with TF is meant to make us into strong leaders, but it's really tricky to pinpoint exactly what we do that transforms us. Is it the teaching? Is it managing resources and people? Is it the workshops and masterclasses and conferences? Is it being able to maintain our enthusiasm, passion and drive? Is it simply being there every day, aiming for more?
I don't know if I'm a leader yet.
And finally, the TF summer picnic was a bit lame yesterday. The venue was the indoor beach at the O2 - decidedly overhyped - more like a big pile of sand than a proper beach. Alas it seems TF had spent all their money on the hire charge since there was only one free drink (which you had to pay a pound for if soft drinks were too soft for you) and the food stopped at 2pm.
A far cry from last year's Cobra sponsored affair in the playing fields of St Paul's Girls' School. Chocolate fountains, inflatable sumo wrestling, gourmet catering, and, crucially, more Pimm's and Cobra than the eye could see - a wonderful TF event indeed. This year, well, a resounded "could do better".