Page 83: Reflection on my practice - the end of term 1 and 2023
We have made it! Term 1 is over and out and it is the end of 2023 (quite literally as it is New Year's Eve). With many of us back in school on the 2nd, whilst we prepare and get ourselves ready for the next term to begin, I thought it would be nice to reflect and reminisce on the fantastic teaching year of 2023 and the first term of this academic year.
Here are 10 (it was very hard just to pick 10 and these are not in any order) moments that made me smile and feel proud in the teaching world of 2023:
1. The last day of summer term with my first ever class
I had the most brilliant first year of teaching with the most amazing class. We learnt and grew together and it was a true privilege to be the first step in the life long education journey. I was beyond proud on that last day, we celebrated all the fantastic things we achieved throughout the year and enjoyed being in each others company for one last time.
2. Setting up ballet club
Before attending university and stating my education degree, from a young child I have always danced and had a passion for ballet. This included teaching the RAD syllabus to hundreds of children over the year. This was something I always throughly enjoyed and proud of. I knew, when I began teaching that I wanted to give pupils the opportunity to explore this amazing art so I started ballet club. Over 2023 I have conducted the club for all year groups and now it is real success within the school and always a highlight in my week. It is fantastic to get to teach primary education and ballet again!
3. Being accepted and starting my NPQ in Leading Teaching
I am a passionate and aspiring leader. I love all things education and since young I knew i'd like to lead and support further within school. When the opportunity arose at the end of Summer 2023, to apply for October 2023 applications for the national professional qualifications, I had to give it go. I decided to apply for the NPQ in leading teaching. I felt this was a good progressive step as I was beginning to take on further subject leadership and governor roles and after a successful application and interview I was overjoyed to be accepted. I have completed my first two modules so far, exploring 'teaching' and 'implementation'. I am throughly enjoying taking on wider responsibly within the school to pursue and achieve the qualification.
4. Becoming a staff governor
Again, I love to find myself an opportunity for my professional development and curious mind! When there was a vacancy for a staff governor, I was very pleased that I was able to fill that role. This has been insightful and as my time and confidence on the panel is extending and growing, I am throughly enjoying being a part of the schools strategic direction and holding accountability. Through my time on the panel, I have been able to access many online CPD sessions to extend both my governor and teaching responsibilities. I have taken on the role of linked governor regarding attendance and I am enjoying the attendance journey we are on. Though my fact find I am able to feed back to the rest of the panel our strengths and needs of development. I look forward to seeing where my governor journey takes me next year.
5. Working alongside the university
Since graduating, I have upheld strong connections working alongside the university. As echoed in my blog, I am keen and eager to support and inspire the next generation of teachers and my work alongside the university is pivotal in upholding this. Some things I have done includes online lecturing on the transition from being a student teacher to an ECT as well as create a range of support videos for students preparing them for placement. An example includes a video I made all about parents and building up parent relationships - something that can seen scary at times for a student!
6. Creating my 'perfect' classroom
From my reflection of my classroom and provision in my ECT1 year, when creating my classroom and provision for this academic year, I was able to use my reflections to inform this years learning environment. The environment you create to learn is so important. I have made improvements reflecting on what worked well and what needed to be better/enhanced. Some things I am proud of in my 'perfect' classroom include: our learning journey, children's faces on spots to visually support the seating plan, improving our outdoor space such as hand building a water wall and creating an exciting creative workshop. Note: I have stated 'perfect' as no classroom can ever be 'perfect'. There should always be a cycle of reflection and implementation in place to improve your space and learning opportunties for the strengths and needs of your pupils.
7. Residential
I was fortunate enough to be invited to join year 5 on their residential holiday in the summer term. This was extra special as it was taking my 'in theory' first ever class who I taught in year 4 for summer 2 before I 'officially' started teaching as an ECT in September. I got my mini bus licence (another proud achievement) and off we went! It was a fantastic week filled with lots of learning outside the classroom, life skills and we got to build and strengthen our relationships with the children. As a member of staff I felt proud and privileged to be able to take them away and experience the trip together. I look forward to hopefully joining into residential again this year!
8. Our first day of Nursery
ECT2 year began! A moment I have truly loved and still throughly enjoying was welcoming my new class into the education system! It is truly a privilege and I am proud to be their teacher. We have acheinced many fantastic things over this first term and I look forward to our journey and learning to continue to grow and evolve over term 2 and 3.
9. The staff
Over 2023, I have had the I know I have mentioned this word a lot, the real privilage (that is the fundamental, being a teacher and teaching is a privilege) of working and learning alongside many fantastic members of extremely knowledgeable staff. I have been able to observe, reflect and inform my practice from more knowledge others to make me a better teacher.
10. OFSTED
OFSTED? This may seem a strange one to finish on, that I haven't even blogged about yet, but this year (term 1) we were due and had our OFSTED visit. I was a proud member of staff in my school and enjoyed coming together and show casing some of the fantastic work that has been ongoing to provide our children with the best education. Through my role as a class teacher, an ECT and staff governor, I was involved with in various aspects of the visit and I can proudly say my first OFSTED experience (as it should be) was a postive one.
Thank you for joining me for another year on this fantastic journey. It really is quite hard to believe that this all began 3 years ago in 2020 as a student teacher doing online learning through the pandemic with lots of time on her hands where placement was cancelled! I look forward to sharing the next and many more years of practice with you all. I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas break and I wish you all a happy new year!
- Miss Yeoman
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