An English Teacher's Toolbox

#Accurate

Being a teacher is rewarding - but it’s also very tough! The daily demands, stresses, expectations and work loads can become overbearing and, at times, can take over your personal life.

Finding a balance, and some ‘time for you’ is essential. So, what ways can you do this without spending lots of money?..

• Putting your playlists on shuffle. Sit back, relax, dance around the room - however it works for you, it’s an easy fix which costs nothing extra (they’re songs you’ve already bought/ owned).
  
  
  
• Reading. Whether you own a kindle, iBooks, or just the good old paper backs - reading is enjoyable, relaxing and all-consuming. Get lost in someone elses world for a while - you’ll feel better for it.
  
  
  
• Visit some friends/ family! This is important - keep in touch with those people who you love, and who love you. The job takes over and sometimes (unfortunately) they can get neglected. Spend that time catching up, hear about their holiday, tell them about something you’ve enjoyed recently.
  
  
  
• Go to the cinema. See a new film, invite a friend, relative, colleague. Let go for 2 hours and be transported to somewhere else! Laugh, cry or scare yourself to death! .. It isn’t too expensive if you don’t do it too often.
  
  
  
  
• Go for a walk/ take part in some exercise. (Does what it says on the tin!)
  
  

What other things could/ do you do?…

I sometimes think that pupils act ‘dumb’ on purpose.

Theme update and ‘page’ added.

Seriously, I do!

Randomly, as I was sat watching some telly last night, I realised that I’ve had more CPD in the last year than I had since beginning my NQT year. One of the major reasons for this, (and there are others) is the ability to network and share on twitter/ tumblr / Dropbox.

The various versions of ‘tags’ allow us to share our ideas, experiences, resources and, when necessary, complaints. Just like the ‘staffroom’, I was anxious that it might become a bitter spiral in to the hell and unstoppable moaning, but it isn’t.

Why?

Well, because #teachers who are using these sites aren’t using them to moan about little Johnny who won’t hand his homework in on time; they are using them simply for CPD.

Those teachers out there who aren’t a part of the ‘network’ - where are they getting their professional development?..

If yes - I want to follow you.

I received a thank you card in the post, at work, from Pearson. Two pupils in my y12 group had nominated me for a ‘thank a teacher’ award. I won’t win, with only 2 votes, but it really touched my heart.

Their comments weren’t about amazing lesson plans, activities or topics - but that I was supportive, funny and that they always left my lesson feeling ‘cheered up’.

Just perfect x