Truth is though if you want the tick the box type of appraiser then yes the threat would be very real. Luckily I have an appraiser who comes in, and is prepared to listen, a former principal who has sat in my chair. I start with what's happening and move through where we have been so far this year, the list on the jotter pad starts to grow, yay I have achieved something.
In actual fact i'm starting to feel like its actually been a relatively productive start to the year. I know he will be back and dig a bit deeper, but what I really appreciate is that on a day where I was probably under a bit of pressure, another set of eyes and a kind ear was required.
I remember when I was up north and it was the final newsletter for the year. I decided to flick back through the school calendar and write a list of "remember these" events from the year. I ended up with two sides of A4, I remember looking back at the newsletter and saying "a bloody good year".
I've heard a few teachers, seen a few tweets, most mumbling that the term has flown by and "I haven't achieved much". Write a list of all the things that have happened in your class, assemblies, trips, shared lunches, class blogs, sports events, web posts, that great artwork, cool things that happened. Send it home to your mums and dads, send a copy to your Principal. Go on I dare you to write the list. You have achieved, you just need a fresh set of eyes.
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Some good advise! There are definitely some worn out, strung out teachers around. I think sometimes they just want someone else to say how much they've achieved though.
It's also good for an old fella to listen to someone so passionate about a "job" that the old fella has been involved with for over 50 years.
To be able to listen and learn from an obviously "on to it" principal also makes my day enjoyable.
Thank you Podgorani.
Well said - I seem to remember similar advice from a plunket nurse to a mother of pre-schoolers many years ago ;)
There's no excuse to feel too busy to stop and write the list anymore either coz a quick flick through iCal does it for you. One of the things I get to do in my job is write an annual report to the BOT of my area of the school and that is when the bullet pointed list comes out. And because it happens right at the end of the year the team goes off on Xmas holiday with a sense of accomplishment.
I like the way you are doing it early in the year. Maybe we should keep a running tab, rather than waiting to the end...
Your advice to write a list is what I needed. It's easy to forget just how much you have achieved when it gets to the end of the term and there is tying up units, assessment, planning for the next term, other general paper work etc and your own life to try to balance. I didn't need someone else to tell me how much I've achieved, I just needed someone to remind me to think about the fact that I have. Thank you!
Mate - I thought you were one who looked into the future not dwelled on the past. Writing lists about the days gone by seems a frittering of good time for me. But there again I guess we all need to reflect on history so we don't make the same mistakes again.Perhaps we should make more of the magic moments at the time - or is that being a big headed tall poppy? I for one don't have a problem of being one of those. Time waits for no-one!
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