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.

Wednesday Night Goodies...

I'm going to do my best to post a new link or resource each Wednesday night... and here goes...

We all know that it's very important to leave a note for the classroom teacher, but it can be hard to think of everything at the end of a hard day of work. That's why I've made myself a template form to fill in at the end of the day. It's not perfect- in fact it's a work in progress- but I've added it to the downloads section of the blog. The formatting only seems to have "stuck" if you download it (rather than viewing it)- but take it and make it your own... and let me know if I've left anything vital out!

Networking...

Because we don't have a staffroom table to gather around on a Friday afternoon, and because we don't have that same teacher in the room nextdoor to chat with each day... we need to network. It takes a little extra-effort at times- but the rewards can be great.


But without permanent links how can we network as Supply Teachers?

• By using blogs. Leah made my day by mentioning our workshop on her blog. It only takes a moment to post, but it's a chance to use technology to reach out to colleagues and make a connection.
• By seeing other Supply Teachers face-to-face. No, I'm not just plugging our next catchup- but it is important for us to have opportunities to have professional discussions with our peers. Take advantage of the fact that we don't have to stay back after school and catch up with a colleague after work.
• By picking up the phone. It sounds simple, but next time you find a contract that you aren't going to take, or just need someone to talk to that will understand your day as a Supply Teacher- well who could be better to talk to than another Supply Teacher?
• Email someone. Tell them what you've been up to, let them know of any opportunities that you've spotted that might suit them. You never know- their reply might have a lead to the contract of your dreams.

So good luck networking, and if you are local, I look forward to seeing you at our High Tea where we can catch up and help to clock up our PD hours!

High tea... and a say on your PD... you deserve it!

Ladies and, well in the case of our little group so far, ladies. Remember our little talk about the importance of Supply Teachers? Remember that we are not disposable? Well with this in mind our first coffee catch-up is a real treat. High tea no less... that's right- nice china, lovely tidbits to nibble on, tea/coffee (really, really good coffee) and rose-petal cordial.

What: A "High Tea" Planning Session for our next Workshop
When: Midday, Sunday 27th March 2011
Where: Ramekins Cafe-  "easy to find" @ Gympie Rd (Cnr Beams Rd in the Woolies Complex)
Price: $25 for a sumptuous high tea

Please RSVP ASAP (don't you just love a good acronym?) via email to amberssupplyanddemand@gmail.com and I'll forward my bank details to you

Go on, you deserve it!

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.

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.