Student-Free Day PD

This might just be your very last chance for Supply and Demand PD... so put Monday 17th October in your diary. We're back at Raven Street Reserve, I'm between computers right now so more details are to come soon...

DIY PD

When:       Sunday 28th August 2011, 
                        11am to 4pm

Where:      Raven Street Reserve, 815 Rode Road, McDowall

(heaps of on-site parking available at a lovely air-conditioned data-projected room!)

Program:    Networking, Q&A, your favorite lessons presented, quick lesson planning (the famous 3 step planning process), quick lesson ideas, PE and game ideas.

Cost:                 $55 including lunch, refreshments, afternoon tea,

take-home (emailed to you) resources & PD certificate

RSVP:         ASAP!!!
email amberssupplyanddemand@gmail.com for “bring a friend” discounts & payment details

**Photo notes** 
I love this photo. I think of it when I need to be reminded that sometimes everyone just needs to muck in and get on with the job***

Real DIY PD

Following a very successful (and delicious) planning session we have the theme for the next workshop...

We really are going to make our own PD. Our next workshop is a "bring your favorite lesson" occasion, where everyone attending gets a 20-minute(ish) slot to present (a summary of) their favorite fall-back lesson or lessons. This is the time to learn a dozen or so fail-proof lessons... and make them your own. We're talking those lessons that use few or no resources that can be adapted across a number of year levels and can cover a range of KLAs.

We'll take some time to examine and build on each lesson, play the games, and create variations and improvements. I'll be asking for an overview of what everyone would like to present before the workshop... and I'll distribute a copy of this overview at the workshop to make everyone's note-taking life just that little bit easier.

We really hope to see you there,

the more of us, the more lessons to share.

And yes, I do love Dr Seuss.

Details to come- but I just couldn't resist posting early!

Wednesday Nibbles...

Don't forget to RSVP for the High Tea this Sunday...

It's that time of the week again, and after our workshop on the weekend there are a few things to post.

Firstly - the magical whiteboard erasers that aren't actually whiteboard erasers... I've yet to try them myself- but next time I'm at the supermarket I will be picking up a pack of them.

Secondly, the instructions for the Pirate Game. While they don't make for great reading- they are fun to act out and play. I have played this with everyone from preps to year 7 children and they all seem to love it...

PS- To those lucky people who were at the workshop last weekend... check your inbox late tonight for new copies of your certificates with 5.5 hours of PD on them... your discussions were so valuable I was hesitant to cut them short... meaning we ran over and can record 5.5 hours of PD for the workshop

Drum-roll please... I give you... The Pirate Game (which I didn't think of myself but play almost daily)

With the younger grades I often begin with a story… the actions are in the table below.

We are on a pirate ship. When the pirate captain comes along I’ll say “Captain’s coming” and we will all salute. Show me your best salute…

HELP!

Tell Your Friends!

Currently I don't have enough people attending the Workshop on the 20th of March (that's next Sunday) to cover costs. Everyone seemed to get a lot from the last workshop so if you were thinking of going, or have a friend who you think might like to attend now's the time to let me know. The people that I do have attending are very enthusiastic, and I'd hate to have to postpone on them. As always, email me at amberssupplyanddemand@gmail.com or contact me via the blog for details.

In case you missed it... come join us...

In case you missed the first "Surviving and Thriving" Workshop, I've scheduled a second one for March 20th. I know there were a few people who had clashes because of the date with the previous one, and hopefully some of the wonderful QUT students I spoke with are going to get themselves a head-start for next year.

The workshop is practical mix of general advice and lesson ideas. You will also get the chance to meet other Supply Teachers (and soon-to-be supply teachers) and share your experiences with them over lunch. See what the last group or participants had to say or take a look at the flyer then email me your RSVP. I look forward to seeing you there!

Back to uni... and resume writing... and another workshop...

Yes- the fresh-faced students made me feel old!

Thanks so much to Mandy White at QUT for the opportunity to speak to the QUT Caboolture students who will be graduating this year. After speaking, I got a number of questions about resumes. With this in mind, the downloads section of this blog now has a sample resume that might be of help to anyone currently putting together their own teaching resume. Good luck! And as always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

** Edited- Also a big thankyou to Bethan King at QUT Kelvin Grove for a chance to speak in the *gasp* big lecture theatre today. DATE FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS WORKSHOP 20 MARCH 2011.

Almost there...

Well the workshop is this Sunday, and there's a finish line of sorts in sight. If you can still make it but haven't contacted me yet... I'll have spare copies of workshop materials on the day... but it would be great if you could email me before the day... amberssupplyanddemand@gmail.com.

You can do it!

You can do it- with a little help from your friends.

It's around this time of year that Classroom Teachers work very hard (they tend to do that for most of the year- but setting up a classroom is quite the mountain to climb)- but luckily for them they have lots of contact with other teachers. Other teachers are wonderful people. They are encouraging. They offer advice. They are a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.

It's also around this time of year that Supply Teachers begin to doubt themselves. We don't have that contact with colleagues yet. No words of reassurance from people who are going through the same thing as we are. "Where is my work?" they ask to nobody in particular. For those of you (and it's most of us- so relax) who haven't had work yet- you need to keep a few things in mind-

1. Classroom Teachers will move heaven and earth to be at school to set up their classes. They simply won't take a day off unless there is absolutely no other way around it.
2. Many schools don't hire Supply Teachers in he first week of school. Instead, music, PE, LOTE or library teachers are called on to fill in for anyone who is away.
3. YOU CAN DO IT!

Don't forget that I'm still seeking people for my workshop on February 13, and I'm hoping it will be the start of a series of workshops and get-togethers. I really think us Supply Teachers need and deserve that contact with colleagues that reminds us that we can do it- and my workshop is a great starting point for that.

There is good news too...

If you have found yourself without a permanent or contract position in 2011, you are not alone.
"ONLY one in 10 teaching graduates has scored a permanent job with the state's biggest employer"  ...but there is good news too!


Welcome to the wonderful world of Supply Teaching. It may not be where you thought you were going to be, but here you are. There are two things that you need to know-

1. There is work (I just took my first booking for 2011)
2. There is support (there are still places available for the 13 Feb Workshop)

So to everyone in the wonderful world of Supply Teaching, I hope to see you at work or at my workshop. 2011 is going to be a great one for work!

Ready. Aim. Workshop.

So we're aiming for the very start of February for the workshop... just after the all-important day-8 contracts go out... and before uni gets too crazy for anyone still studying.


Keep checking back to the blog to see updated resources and new workshop details.

Wish...

I wish I wish that the workshop could go ahead...

RSVP or its RIP for the Workshop...

No, it's not a Halloween Special- I need boost numbers for the "Surviving and Thriving as a Supply Teacher" Workshop to avoid cancelling it.

FREE AT LAST!!!

Bring along 10 friends (pictured above, suits optional) and you will indeed receive a free workshop. For those of us without a 10-person bicycle you too can receive a discount- $5 for each friend that you do bring. That's right- I'll be there on the day with crisp, new $5 notes for everyone who has emailed me about their friends who are coming*.

RSVP for Workshop

Please email me at amberssupplyanddemand@gmail.com as soon as possible if you would like to attend my workshop!

Surviving AND THRIVING as A Supply Teacher- Workshop Dates Confirmed

Clear your diaries for the afternoon of Sunday the 7th of November!

Surviving and Thriving as A Supply Teacher- THE WORKSHOP

If you’ve found yourself without a contract or a permanent teaching position...

THEN WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SUPPLY TEACHING.

Your stay here may be a long or a short one- let me help you to make it an enjoyable, productive one. You shouldn’t just survive Supply Teaching- you should THRIVE as a Supply Teacher.