For all those busy Early Childhood Teachers and Educators such as myself, WELCOME BACK! I hope you have enjoyed your well earned break!
I personally only really had the time from the end of the school term finishing until just after new years off to rest and recoup. Does anyone else out there find it really hard over the holidays to switch off? I know I was able to switch off for a short period of time but then I was refreshed and ready to go back to work. Luckily for me I work in a School Holiday program and keep myself busy between terms doing that. I find real enjoyment working with school aged children within the Holiday Program and OSHC setting.
For those who aren't familiar with me, I hold a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary) degree, meaning I could teach up to year 6 in Victorian schools should I wish to. The appeal for Primary Teaching wasn't as strong for me as it is within the Kindergarten and Early Childhood setting, hence why I headed towards that as my chosen career path.
I know people love to hear what each new year brings for each other so here is my update on my 2016 plans:
Let me know what you are up to this year in the comments below. I hope to share with you some more in-depth posts about the various things I am doing this year along with research that I do during my study!
That's all from me for now!
Jess
I personally only really had the time from the end of the school term finishing until just after new years off to rest and recoup. Does anyone else out there find it really hard over the holidays to switch off? I know I was able to switch off for a short period of time but then I was refreshed and ready to go back to work. Luckily for me I work in a School Holiday program and keep myself busy between terms doing that. I find real enjoyment working with school aged children within the Holiday Program and OSHC setting.
For those who aren't familiar with me, I hold a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary) degree, meaning I could teach up to year 6 in Victorian schools should I wish to. The appeal for Primary Teaching wasn't as strong for me as it is within the Kindergarten and Early Childhood setting, hence why I headed towards that as my chosen career path.
I know people love to hear what each new year brings for each other so here is my update on my 2016 plans:
- I have moved on from one of my Kindergartens that I was teaching at in 2015. I felt the environment was toxic to my professionalism and my teaching wasn't valued. I made the tough choice to look elsewhere but I know that it was the right time for me.
- I am continuing to implement my Bush Kinder program that I piloted last year. It was a fantastic success with parent feedback a mixed bag but overall very positive! I am aiming to advocate for the program to be implemented in a different way to obtain better learning outcomes in 2017 onwards.
- I am starting with a three year old group at a new Kindergarten this year. Three year old Kindergarten is very important to me. I feel that this sets these children up for success during their four year old year and beyond.
- I made the crazy decision to enrol in my Masters of Education this year. It was something that I had tossed around in my mind for a while now and decided over the holidays to apply directly to Deakin for a commonwealth supported place in the hopes of maybe obtaining a position. Fortunately enough I was offered a position three days after applying! I couldn't believe it! So in between working I will be studying part time for my Masters of Education - Special Educational Needs. I am so excited for my classes to start in March online and begin my further learning journey!
- I am tutoring a beautiful 11 year old boy who has Fragile X, a chromosomal disorder that he was born with. He currently attends a Special Development School where each student has learning plan that is developed by their teacher to help them work at their pace. We are aiming to help him continue to improve with High School coming up for him next year. This tutoring is so rewarding! Hopefully my further study will also help me to improve outcomes for him.
- I am also a Cub Scout Leader at my local Scout Group. Scouting is something very close to my heart that I gave away as a child about the age of 12/13. I wish that I could go back in time and continue on with my scouting as it offers so many opportunities for children to engage in a range of activities without the pressure of competitive sports teams these days. As a leader I have almost completed my highest level of training which is my wood badge. To obtain these will be an absolutely amazing achievement. My father obtained his and I would like to be presented with his beads when I finish.
- I fit in playing netball and going to the gym around all these other things I am doing this year. I am trying to change my lifestyle to become more active and healthy. My eating habits are the thing I am focusing on most right now. I have narcolepsy which is a sleep disorder, however in recent doctors visits I have also discovered that I may have reactive hypoglycemia which could be the factor that is making me feel tired and lethargic most of the time! Hoping to get it all under control this year.
- Finally, the most exciting thing happening in my life this year is that in July I will be marrying my best friend of 8 years! So in between everything else I have been doing I am planning a wedding! Can you say crazy or what?
Let me know what you are up to this year in the comments below. I hope to share with you some more in-depth posts about the various things I am doing this year along with research that I do during my study!
That's all from me for now!
Jess