So we finally found out where we are going to be placed for our second blocks- I will be with the "dreaded" grade 6s (haha just kidding) locally- this means I will be able to take the bus to my placement which is fabulous- this means not having to rely on others for rides/having to wait around/having others wait around for me- also, unlike Stevensville where I was, this school is VERY close to my house, so I feel there will be many more opportunities for myself to get involved outside of school...
I have been informed by other full-time teachers who had taught at my new school that it will be a challenge. There is a GREAT deal of theft in the school (especially with students stealing from teachers), and they are having problems with Grade 7 girls doing drugs...not just doing drugs but doing them ON school property. Since the school is in a mixed income area, there are a variety of different students who go to school there. I thought hearing about the school's reputation would make me extremly nervous and anxious, but actually I am more than excited. I feel that going to this "troubled" school and teaching there will be one of the best learning experiences I could ever ask for. My teacher (another male!) has a great reputation, and I hope to learn a lot from him. I have been told that I will develop a thicker skin while teaching at this school, and I look forward to the challenges I will face on my way- it will be a learning experience I'm sure I will never forget.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Social Issues Day
This past Friday was Social Issues day, and I found it to be extremely insightful.
The day started off with Carson speaking to us about the Holocaust in general, and we received an information book filled with tons of great information and great insight (as well as liberation stories). Since I haven't learned much about the Holocaust since I was in Polish school (it was an extensive topic back then, since many concentration camps were in Poland, including Auschwitz, the largest one), it was great to have a refresher about the issue as a whole.
Max was truly an inspirational speaker. His story was so moving, and so touching...and it hit so close to me, because the Death March he spoke of took place just 30 minutes from where my family lives (and where I was born) in Poland- my grandparents lived through that, and it was just so eye-opening. His story was so sad, and he was "only" (only is in brackets, since the amount of time is too long to begin with, but shorter than others had experienced) in the concentration camps and in that horrible situation for 9 months- I can't imagine how others were in those situations throughout the entire war. It was horrible to hear how he actually watched his dad and uncle get quarantined- and it was a great reminder for all of us to tell our loved ones how we feel and how much we appreciated them.
The first thing I wanted to do when I got home was to call my Grandma in Wroclaw, Poland and ask her about the concentration camp that was located near her house- I want to hear about her own experiences, and what it was like to live in Poland at that time...I cant imagine what Max went through, but it is amazing to see that his life took a turn in a great direction once he came to Canada- he is a parent, and even a grandparent, and his story was (hopefully) an inspiration for everyone who heard it.
The day started off with Carson speaking to us about the Holocaust in general, and we received an information book filled with tons of great information and great insight (as well as liberation stories). Since I haven't learned much about the Holocaust since I was in Polish school (it was an extensive topic back then, since many concentration camps were in Poland, including Auschwitz, the largest one), it was great to have a refresher about the issue as a whole.
Max was truly an inspirational speaker. His story was so moving, and so touching...and it hit so close to me, because the Death March he spoke of took place just 30 minutes from where my family lives (and where I was born) in Poland- my grandparents lived through that, and it was just so eye-opening. His story was so sad, and he was "only" (only is in brackets, since the amount of time is too long to begin with, but shorter than others had experienced) in the concentration camps and in that horrible situation for 9 months- I can't imagine how others were in those situations throughout the entire war. It was horrible to hear how he actually watched his dad and uncle get quarantined- and it was a great reminder for all of us to tell our loved ones how we feel and how much we appreciated them.
The first thing I wanted to do when I got home was to call my Grandma in Wroclaw, Poland and ask her about the concentration camp that was located near her house- I want to hear about her own experiences, and what it was like to live in Poland at that time...I cant imagine what Max went through, but it is amazing to see that his life took a turn in a great direction once he came to Canada- he is a parent, and even a grandparent, and his story was (hopefully) an inspiration for everyone who heard it.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Anxiety
So I had a great Christmas break- It was so nice to just be home and be with my family and just relax for once- now its back to the real world, and I have to say, I'm having a bit of anxiety when I think about our upcoming block.
My anxiety doesn't have to do with the possibility of teaching Grade 6s (which is quite scary on its own)- what scares me has to do with getting to and from my placement. I know that the counsellors are trying to work it out so the individuals with rides are put with those without so we can carpool. However this is difficult since I am one of a very small number of public student teachers- and many public teachers (as well as the Catholic) have applied for out-of-region placements. I did not, as I hope to teach within the DSBN (at least to supply teacher for the next year). Now, what if my ride is one of the people that has been selected for an out-of-region? Many schools are not within bus routes (except for Glenridge elementary which is down the street from me), so I'm getting a bit anxious about having a ride when out of region placements start. I know I'm probably being silly and I might be worrying about nothing- but this is a real concern for me, and I felt like maybe posting on my blog would let me just get my anxiety out and it would make me feel better (which hasnt happened yet lol).
Again I'm probably worried about nothing, and I am worrying FAR TOO EARLY...but I just wanted to get this out...now hopefully I can just forget about it and worry about it when (or if) the situation arises.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas break- we all deserved it, and I hope the time you all had to spend with your families and friends was great.
My anxiety doesn't have to do with the possibility of teaching Grade 6s (which is quite scary on its own)- what scares me has to do with getting to and from my placement. I know that the counsellors are trying to work it out so the individuals with rides are put with those without so we can carpool. However this is difficult since I am one of a very small number of public student teachers- and many public teachers (as well as the Catholic) have applied for out-of-region placements. I did not, as I hope to teach within the DSBN (at least to supply teacher for the next year). Now, what if my ride is one of the people that has been selected for an out-of-region? Many schools are not within bus routes (except for Glenridge elementary which is down the street from me), so I'm getting a bit anxious about having a ride when out of region placements start. I know I'm probably being silly and I might be worrying about nothing- but this is a real concern for me, and I felt like maybe posting on my blog would let me just get my anxiety out and it would make me feel better (which hasnt happened yet lol).
Again I'm probably worried about nothing, and I am worrying FAR TOO EARLY...but I just wanted to get this out...now hopefully I can just forget about it and worry about it when (or if) the situation arises.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas break- we all deserved it, and I hope the time you all had to spend with your families and friends was great.
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