Links... and we can all help each other out

I will add this link to the links page... and the specific downloads to the downloads page... but I really wanted to make a post to discuss them here too. At the workshop we briefly discussed the idea of "Kung Fu" punctuation. It's a very hands-on idea where the students are invited to make a specific "Kung Fu" inspired action for each punctuation mark. I've not had the chance to use it yet- but had the idea described to me by colleagues who have had a lot of success with it.

I'd like to thank Susan (who attended the workshop) for taking the time to look it up and sharing the resources she found with us. She's embraced what these workshops are all about... sharing resources and working together make us all Supply Teachers. Thanks Susan- and everyone else who is sharing their experiences with other Supply Teachers to help us do our job.

The Workshop... Worked!

A HUGE thank-you to everyone at the workshop today. Everyone left such lovely feedback and I'd like them all to know that I'm really glad I was able to help them. I hope to organise an afternoon tea one weekend soon so that we can all catch up again... and we already have ideas for 2 new workshops in the works. More news to come on those.

For an extra copy of the resources from the workshop log into the google docs account. The username is AmbersSupplyAndDemandResources and the password is SupplyTeacher. You can always look for more materials that are added to this blog by going to the downloads link on the right hand side of the page.

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.

Room for More

The workshop date is fast approaching, and while I'm happy to say that I have sufficient numbers to run the workshop- there's still room for more.


So... if you want to get organised to make 2011 a year JAM-PACKED with work... then I suggest my workshop...

Surviving and Thriving as a Supply Teacher

How to get work... and what to do when you get it!

When: Saturday 11th December 2010
Where: Downfall Creek Bushland Centre at Raven Street Reserve, 815 Rode Road, McDowall (heaps of on-site parking available at a lovely air-conditioned data-projected meeting room!)
Program: How to get work, how to make a good impression, behaviour management strategies, how to plan on the spot for each KLA, using flexible resources (which will be provided for you).
Cost: $50pp including lunch, refreshments, afternoon tea and take-home resources 

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.

What to do on the First Day of School

Feeling alone on the first day of school? Relax- you aren't alone.

There will be very few Supply Teachers (yes, you should start using capital letters to describe your profession) with work on the first day of school. So what should you do with that first day?

• Without bothering office staff (the first day is always chaos), why not drop off your resume to a half-dozen local schools? Don't go before or after school, but pick a time in between lunch breaks (check out the school website for break times) and just quickly drop your resume in.
• Got a friend who has secured a teaching job? Help them out on their first day! I once helped a friend who had a year one class (this was before we had prep in Queensland) on the first day and had a lot of fun (and made a lot of contacts). I identified myself as a "helper" and any concerned parents were assured I was a qualified teacher who was there to help out their friend for the day. I spent most of the day on the veranda making painted handprints and other messy jobs- but it allowed my friend to have messy activities on her first day without having to supervise them.
• Do something wonderful with your last day off for a while. Soon you will be working regularly- so enjoy a rare day off by seeing a daytime movie, heading off to lunch or anything that you really love. And then smile and remember- that if you ever need to take another day off just to have fun- you can! It's amazing how liberating that idea is- you may never take the opportunity to do so- but knowing you can- bliss. Mentioning this little advantage to your full-time teacher friends is a no-no!
• Double check that you are properly registered with TRACER. Because of the floods, TRACER have asked that all teachers available for work right away let them know via email (MetNorth.TRACER@deta.qld.gov.au). See their website for full details. I suggest using your EQ ID number and Teacher Registration number in all correspondence with them (and yes I forgot to have them on hand when I called them today- sorry TRACER).

So remember- even though you may not be working on the first day of school- there's no need to waste the day.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU GOT UP TO ON YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

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!