On The End Of My First Year Teaching

Gosh, I am being really shit at this blogging thing lately, aren't I? I used to be so regular at it, and then all of a sudden I got a social life, and bam, no more time for me to record my thoughts. I am terribly sorry for those of you who get a kick out of reading this. I got a kick out of writing it, mainly because I have a penchant for blathering on mindlessly. I'm one of those people who feels that my thoughts are all-important --- to myself. Oddly, I enjoy writing these things, and then immediately going through and reading what I've just written. It kind of allows me to reflect a little bit better. It may sound strange and self-loving, I know, but that's the honest truth. I'm not one to cover anything up. What you see is what you get.

Anyways, I could probably write a whole story about my last few weeks of teaching, but suffice it to say, I'm (yet again) not really in much of a mood to type out the whole thing. The last day was a good one, on a general level. The entire last week I just felt like I had checked out - and the kids had too. My lessons, while still teaching the curriculum, were a bit lacking my usual flair. I also relied heavily on DVDs on the last day. I just could not shake the feeling that a) I didn't care, that b) the kids didn't care, and c) my memories of my own education never had me learning on the last day. It just doesn't make sense to learn on the last day. You're not getting tested or marked on anything, so what is the point? I was also completely out of the mindset of being at my school. A few uber lazy year 10 students handed me some severely overdue coursework, which I was kind enough to (begrudgingly) mark whilst watching DVDs in my other lessons.

I received many cards, candies, cakes and gifts. It was touching, because students that I thought had no regard for me were the ones that expressed the most sadness at seeing me leave. It was heartwarming.

I will undoubtedly miss the students at the school. They can be an inspiring lot, if you get past the trust issues and the laziness (which is extremely hard to do). I won't miss the school itself, of the bureaucracy, or the department in which I worked. That lot, for the most part, can fade into memory for me. A few of them will be kindly remembered, but most won't. One man in particular didn't even bother to say goodbye to me. What a douche. He can rot, for all I care, because he's a pompous little asshole.

But no matter. It is over. I never have to set foot in that school again. If you've read this from the start, you'll know what a trial this past year has been. It's been tough. I've learnt a lot; about teaching, about children, and about myself. I've grown in immense ways, and in ways I never thought imaginable at this time last year. I'd like to think I'm a new person, but really I'm not. I'm the same ol' me, but a little wiser, a little tougher, and a little more prepared. Just a little though.

I am still very nervous about next year, and the new challenge that will bring to me. I feel more prepared than I was last year, starting at a new school, but I still see so many challenges along the way. I'm scared, but I'm also ready. I feel like the fresh start will really give me the chance I need to finally be the teacher I wanted to be, way back in teachers college.

This isn't to say I'm not already that teacher, but I'm not exactly what I had imagined...not quite. I need to have a lot more respect to be the teacher I want to be. Obviously that comes with time, but I'm willing to put it in...so I hope I get it back.

Anyways, thats about all I feel up to writing for now.

My parents are over for a visit, and it's been absolutely lovely to see them. Its so nice to be in the same room with them again, to just chat. Even just watching the television with them is nice, because it takes me back to a simpler time, when I was living at home. I love my parents, and miss them terribly. I dread having them leave to go back to Canada, because it is so comforting to know they're in the same country as me right now. They may not be with me, at the moment, but I feel they are much closer, much more accessible. I feel less detached from home, knowing they are here. It's weird, but true. Seeing them also makes me regret, just a little, my decision to stay here. There are so many reasons for me not to go home, but seeing my parents reminds me of the one reason TO go back; my family. I miss them a lot. The idea of not being near to them for the rest of my life is very intimidating, and its not something that I would do lightly. Obviously, the desire for me to stay in England rests not just in being able to work, but being able to love. I do feel I've met someone who is worth staying here for. He's a really fabulous young man, and right now, the thought of leaving him is out of the question. Which makes things very confusing for me, because I want to stay here and start my future here, but I also have such a strong pull to go home, in my family. They'd be very upset if I chose to stay in England.

It's all so hard to work out, but I know that for the time being I have to focus on the forthcoming year. Whatever happens after that happens. I have to take it one day at a time.

Cheers