Today, as part of the first Advanced Teacher Blogging Challenge, I will be “interviewing” my blog; sharing some insights into the writing processes, inspiration, and experiences which underpin A Relief Teacher’s Journey.
Here goes …
Image- Flickr CC: 'Pioneer Unit at FunX, Amsterdam'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32068310@N00/3490292855
Interviewer: Welcome to today’s ‘Big Interview’ with the A Relief Teacher’s Journey education blog.
Let’s start with an important question:
1) Who is the person behind your posts?
Blog: I’m written by Michael, a second year relief teacher working in Perth, Western Australia since February 2009. His job role is variously known as “substitute teacher” and “supply teacher” in other countries around the world.
Michael has worked in 23 schools, returned to 17, and worked extensively in 7. He has taught classes from Kindergarten to Year 7, and has also worked as a Physical Education and Art specialist.
After an initial ‘baptism of fire’, he has come to love the flexibility and variety his job offers, and is looking forward to continuing his travels in 2011.
2) What are your origins? What motivated your creation?
Blog: Reading over Michael’s shoulder of late, I’ve realised that my origins are not typical of most educational blogs. Apparently, most people read and reflect on existing blogs before creating their own; however, I’m a bit different...
I arose from Michael’s interest in the practical implementation of the multi-literacies theory (see Multi-literacies- A Teacher’s Guide); and his intense desire to help other new teachers learn from his experiences and mistakes. In short, he felt he had something to share, and he wanted to practice what he preached (Web 2.0 in education). He really only became an avid reader of edublogs several months after starting his own.
3) How often are you updated?
Blog: Well, this really depends on Michael’s often unpredictable work commitments, and attempts to have a life outside of work!
He aims to write four posts a month, although he is generally more prolific during school holidays. He can spend up to 3 hours drafting a post using Windows Live Writer 2011™, and takes pride in his work. He’s not blogging for a living, so he generally blogs when he feels like it!
4) Can you share some insights into your author’s inspiration, thoughts and methods as he drafts and publishes your posts?
Blog: Sure. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, Michael has kept a handwritten journal since July 2009, documenting his experiences, ideas, reflections, and professional development goals over time. Almost everything you read on A Relief Teacher’s Journey, with a few exceptions, is directly sourced from this very personal journal.
As a publically available, professional education blog, I have encouraged Michael to revisit his past, sometimes bitter experiences, and share his reflections and (sometimes startling) personal insights into his teaching practice with the wider global education community. I believe these reflections have resulted in some of Michael’s finest blog posts of 2010, … if I say so myself!
5) Really? Would you mind sharing some of these posts?
Blog: Certainly. I’m particularly proud of Michael’s 6 month stint blogging about classroom management from a new relief teacher’s perspective. I surprised him – he thought he could get away with three posts, but he ended up publishing 26 posts on the topic.
I highly recommend these links:
- My Jigsaw Approach to Classroom Management
- The Four Stages in My Teaching Practice
- The 3 R's of Effective Learning Environments
- The 'Theory of Bumps' - Explanation & Suggested Strategies
- What is a “problem” or challenging behaviour?
- The 3 Keys to Working with Challenging Students
Alternatively, you can visit my new Classroom Management page.
I’m also very proud of My First #Edchat, which marked a significant and extremely important evolution in Michael’s professional development process.
6) Wow! There’s some fascinating reading here. Are there any under-read posts which you think more people should read?
Blog: Well, there are a few. I’d like my readers to learn more about Michael’s teaching philosophy and early teaching experiences. I think, to understand what I’m all about, you need to understand where he’s coming from.
I’d suggest reading:
- My Teaching Philosophy
- My Experiences with the Third ‘R’
- The Value of Relief (Substitute) Teaching for Graduate Teachers
- Thoughts on Classroom Behaviour Management
7) I notice that Michael adheres to a strict confidentiality policy in his posts. Why?
Blog: As a publically available, professional blog, I can’t and won’t reveal personally identifiable information about Michael’s colleagues or workplaces. While his classroom anecdotes and critical incidents could be identified by people present, he doesn’t want to risk causing offence or embarrassment to those involved.
The only exceptions to this policy relate to the publication of Twitter™ @mentions, and situations where Michael has received explicit administrative permission to publish a school’s location and activities. For example, he is currently working on a post about an amazing school kitchen garden, to be published in late February 2011.
8) How has Michael’s recent entry into the Twitterverse affected your readership?
Blog: After putting my feet up for months, I’ve been working a lot harder since Michael’s posts have been retweeted and read by educators around the world. I was hoping he’d give me a break, but fat chance!
9) What future do you envisage for yourself? Will you still be here in a few years time?
Blog: I honestly have no idea. I’ll be here in some form or other, perhaps with a changing focus if Michael ultimately becomes a classroom teacher. I’ve undergone a significant evolution since my creation in June 2010, and I expect that this will continue over time.
I personally don’t plan on going anywhere, and I’m sure Michael won’t let me sit idle for too long – he enjoys his work, and learns a lot about himself by reflecting on his teaching practice. I expect 2011 will be a busy year.
10) To our final question for the day. I noticed that you publish Michael’s list of “Blogs I Follow” on your sidebar. Do you have any recommendations?
Blog: I know for certain that Michael reads at least twice as many blogs as I’ve got listed here. He tends to be a bit lazy about updating my listing.
There are a few blogs which I can highly recommend -
- Substitutes FTW! (A relatively young blog by a substitute teacher)
- Teachable Moments (A Teacher’s Life through Comics – brilliant!)
- The Edublogger (A recent addition, and great read)
- Creative Education Blog (I know Michael finds this one really helpful)
- Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom (Love it!)
A Relief Teacher’s Journey – Thankyou very much for your time
Blog: You’re welcome. Anytime.
Well, if you kept reading and arrived here – many thanks. I know this was a long post, but gee, it was fun to write (aside from taking 3 hours to draft!).
As always, your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.
Wow Michael. What a great post! It's clear that you put a great deal of thought into this - well done! I'm impressed with your efforts in reading other blogs and maintaining good regularity with your posts; both areas in which I need to work.
ReplyDeleteJenny
@gadgetgurl42
Thanks for a great post - you had me laughing at times - loved the humour in it. Honestly how do you cope with relief teaching? I dont think I could handle it, so admire you for working as a relief teacher for so long. Thanks for sharing all those links. I will come back and look at some of your posts. It is great that you are sharing your experiences with classroom management as I am sure you would have some challenging students.
ReplyDeleteYour graphic at the beginning really captures interest right from the word go. Hope you keep on posting for the challenge.
Thankyou for the comments and support. I certainly hope to fulfil all the Teacher Challenges as part of the Edublogs project
ReplyDeleteAs to relief teaching, it takes a long time to get used to it. Once you're good at it; however, you're in no hurry to leave!
Michael
Thanks for sharing, Michael. I really enjoyed your post. I agree with others that it takes a very special person to be a substitute teacher (what we call it in the States, as you know). I look forward to following your posts and the challenge. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMichael
ReplyDeleteI am visiting from the teacher challenge. I find your blog amazing. So professional. You are putting such care and thought into it. I too could never envision myself relief teaching. The schools near you are very fortunate to have you. I know kids act up for relievers and my students in the past have done so. I could never believe they were the same kids I teach. Will be back.
Kathryn
New Zealand
Dear readers, thankyou for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteAs a relatively new blogger, such quality feedback is often hard to feed. I look forward to talking with you as I continue my participation in the Teacher Challenge.
A great post, Michael. I started as a substitute teacher, but I didn't like the unpredictability of the working hours. At my school we often substitute for each other. Walking into a class full of strangers is never easy.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in classroom management too, so I'll follow the links you provided here and keep reading. And your Multiliteracies page looks really helpful.
Thanks Natasa. Teachers interested in multi-literacies are hard to find. As I've mentioned before, please contact me via Twitter (@mgraffin) if you need any help. I've got a few uni essays & resources to share if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteI liked your post about "problem behavior". I need to remember to be more proactive! I am going to save a link to your blog!
ReplyDeleteThankyou! I'm really glad you found it useful.
ReplyDeleteI've recently included a Print to PDF widget at the bottom of my posts, so feel free to print and share!
Just be warned that the PDF printer doesn't pick up dot points, and may lose some hyperlinks.
I heart substitute teachers!! Especially the good, reliable, non-lazy ones and it is great to hear from teachers like you because they are experiencing something so totally different in terms of a teaching experience to that of a permanent teacher. I know many a substitute who work wonders with the unpredictablity of working days and limited preparation time. Good on you!
ReplyDeleteThankyou Karla! We do our best - although I must say starting out as a new substitute/relief teacher ain't an easy process. It took me a long time to come to become good at my job, and I've come to love it.
ReplyDeleteWow! A very comprehensive post Michael. I'm sure your blog will be particularly enjoyed by and valuable to other substitute/ relief teaches. You obviously want to teach. I hope in the near future you get the chance to have your own class to mould and teach/learn from.
ReplyDeleteI did a stint of relief teaching for a short period when our daughter was young and learnt SO much. I remember keeping an exercise book where I wrote down interesting display ideas. (Sometimes I actually asked to take photos of classroom walls.) There were such a variety of ways that different teachers organised their programmes. I have relished using many of these ideas in my later teaching. When we are full-time teachers we don't often get a chance to observe or see what happens in other classrooms so was an invaluable experience for me. Best wishes Oona