Here 'tis:
It is a weird thing isn't it, that humans are so resistant to change..I mean, from the moment we are born we are in a state of change so you would think we would be more used to it. As many of you already know, this year has been a huge year of change. I kind of had "change" forced upon me when the job I loved was no longer available and through no fault of my own I became essentially unemployed.
I began doing TRT work - back in classrooms after a 17 year break, often teaching Grades that I had never taught. In one week alone I managed to teach every age from birth to year 7, and to teach specialist music, drama, art, PE and cooking! After that I kind of felt like I could take on the world..
As I did more and more TRT days something magical began to happen.. I found that I really loved it. I was enjoying the challenge. I was enjoying the wonderful support offered by school staff and parents. I was enjoying the kids. In fact, I was myth busting a lot of my self-made assumptions about children and learning, and myself as a teacher. I have always said kindy is my favourite age but what I found was that I have LOVED working with lots of ages. I actually don't just like kindy kids, I really like kids. I like that "Ahha" moment when they "get" something. I like the funny stories they tell. I like when they feel comfortable to share their stories with me.
Being a TRT/classroom teacher has had its benefits. I have been home earlier for my own kiddos and been able to do mum things like make pikelets for afternoon tea, or play a game with them after school. I have had more nights at home (and in Winter, when it is cold and dark and often wet, it feels like I need to be home and pottering about at night more) I am definitely not as tired by the end of the week and most often when hubby gets home I am still happy and bubbly and wanting to talk about my day.
2019 brought another significant change. A friend asked if I would be interested in helping her son with High school assignments and project planning. At first I felt quite underqualified but then quickly realised that I have an Honours degree in Arts, History and Literature, and a 16 year career in mentoring and coaching about time-management and planning etc through my paper crafting team. Once again, I surprised myself by actually enjoying spending time with teenagers. I hadn't long been working with this young man when I was asked to take on a few hours a week with a much younger boy with ASD. This has been life-changing. Seeing the world through his eyes is amazing. Those few hours a week feel like a gift. He fills my bucket. He makes me look at the world in ways I have never imagined. I am learning so much. I think it is the start of a beautiful friendship. I am hoping that as we move on his beautiful Mum might let me share more about our rambles here. I am even reading lots of texts on Autism, and doing my own research into different strategies and approaches. It feels good to be inspired by something again.
Oddly, whilst I was quietly terrified at the start of the year, and still mourning the loss of a job I loved, I now feel like I am in a really good place. A happy place. I have been offered something more ongoing at one of my favourite sites next term, on days that will fit nicely around our life, and I am looking forward to the excitement of having my own classroom again, with kids that I already adore, in a supportive community environment.
Life feels good, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I have even had time to indulge in reading more books lately and thought I would share a few of my current favourites.
"Why I Jump" is written by a teenager with ASD. Very insightful and a quick read. Fascinating for anyone who works with or lives with people with ASD.
"The Colour Mixing Companion" - gorgeous for teaching, but equally colourful eye candy for anyone who loves art and colour.
"A Year Between Friends" - Beautiful, every time I read it I want to cry, and laugh, and ring my besties. I love the seasonal nature of this one. Perfect bath reading
"Wordsmith" - a new find. Janet Clare is a logophile. Exquisite typography, words, pictures. Coffee table happiness.
Last but not least, I visited Twisted Fibre Festival on Saturday and came away with an 1860s copy of "The Knitters Magazine" It has, among its many patterns, instructions for a "bonnet preserver" and a set of "ladies mufatees" I adore the primness of the language, the quirkiness of the content and that old book smell. It is a rare treasure.
So what else is making me happy? I recently purchased a sweet little slow-stitched journal, which has on its blue and cream cover a dear little squirrel. It makes me want to do some slow stitching, but more than that, it has me scribbling again - new words that I want to remember, ideas, snippets of my day, random thoughts. It feels good to be writing again.
I acquired a $7 bunch of poppies from my favourite local deli (which also sells my knitting and cards, and a great selection of plants, and the best hot chips and gravy anywhere!) They've been on my kitchen table for a week now. Their silken petals make me smile every time I see them.
So what is making you happy right now?
I hope whatever you are doing with your one glorious life you are making the most of it?
Keep smiling,
Nell
I began doing TRT work - back in classrooms after a 17 year break, often teaching Grades that I had never taught. In one week alone I managed to teach every age from birth to year 7, and to teach specialist music, drama, art, PE and cooking! After that I kind of felt like I could take on the world..
As I did more and more TRT days something magical began to happen.. I found that I really loved it. I was enjoying the challenge. I was enjoying the wonderful support offered by school staff and parents. I was enjoying the kids. In fact, I was myth busting a lot of my self-made assumptions about children and learning, and myself as a teacher. I have always said kindy is my favourite age but what I found was that I have LOVED working with lots of ages. I actually don't just like kindy kids, I really like kids. I like that "Ahha" moment when they "get" something. I like the funny stories they tell. I like when they feel comfortable to share their stories with me.
Being a TRT/classroom teacher has had its benefits. I have been home earlier for my own kiddos and been able to do mum things like make pikelets for afternoon tea, or play a game with them after school. I have had more nights at home (and in Winter, when it is cold and dark and often wet, it feels like I need to be home and pottering about at night more) I am definitely not as tired by the end of the week and most often when hubby gets home I am still happy and bubbly and wanting to talk about my day.
2019 brought another significant change. A friend asked if I would be interested in helping her son with High school assignments and project planning. At first I felt quite underqualified but then quickly realised that I have an Honours degree in Arts, History and Literature, and a 16 year career in mentoring and coaching about time-management and planning etc through my paper crafting team. Once again, I surprised myself by actually enjoying spending time with teenagers. I hadn't long been working with this young man when I was asked to take on a few hours a week with a much younger boy with ASD. This has been life-changing. Seeing the world through his eyes is amazing. Those few hours a week feel like a gift. He fills my bucket. He makes me look at the world in ways I have never imagined. I am learning so much. I think it is the start of a beautiful friendship. I am hoping that as we move on his beautiful Mum might let me share more about our rambles here. I am even reading lots of texts on Autism, and doing my own research into different strategies and approaches. It feels good to be inspired by something again.
Oddly, whilst I was quietly terrified at the start of the year, and still mourning the loss of a job I loved, I now feel like I am in a really good place. A happy place. I have been offered something more ongoing at one of my favourite sites next term, on days that will fit nicely around our life, and I am looking forward to the excitement of having my own classroom again, with kids that I already adore, in a supportive community environment.
Life feels good, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
I have even had time to indulge in reading more books lately and thought I would share a few of my current favourites.
"Why I Jump" is written by a teenager with ASD. Very insightful and a quick read. Fascinating for anyone who works with or lives with people with ASD.
"The Colour Mixing Companion" - gorgeous for teaching, but equally colourful eye candy for anyone who loves art and colour.
"A Year Between Friends" - Beautiful, every time I read it I want to cry, and laugh, and ring my besties. I love the seasonal nature of this one. Perfect bath reading
"Wordsmith" - a new find. Janet Clare is a logophile. Exquisite typography, words, pictures. Coffee table happiness.
Last but not least, I visited Twisted Fibre Festival on Saturday and came away with an 1860s copy of "The Knitters Magazine" It has, among its many patterns, instructions for a "bonnet preserver" and a set of "ladies mufatees" I adore the primness of the language, the quirkiness of the content and that old book smell. It is a rare treasure.
So what else is making me happy? I recently purchased a sweet little slow-stitched journal, which has on its blue and cream cover a dear little squirrel. It makes me want to do some slow stitching, but more than that, it has me scribbling again - new words that I want to remember, ideas, snippets of my day, random thoughts. It feels good to be writing again.
I acquired a $7 bunch of poppies from my favourite local deli (which also sells my knitting and cards, and a great selection of plants, and the best hot chips and gravy anywhere!) They've been on my kitchen table for a week now. Their silken petals make me smile every time I see them.
So what is making you happy right now?
I hope whatever you are doing with your one glorious life you are making the most of it?
Keep smiling,
Nell
