One of the best things about London is the assortment of neat and quirky events that are always happening around the city. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending 5 x 15 -- an evening of entertainment that features 5 speakers, each telling a 15 minute cross-section of their personal stories or areas of expertise. Somewhat reminiscent of TED talks.
The topics ranged from how to get into Oxford on blind luck, what it's like to grow up with an eccentric gay dad, the reformation of a hardened criminal, a behind-the-scenes peek into a documentary on Peter Mandelson, and the sexual nature of cars. Quite an eclectic mix of subjects, and an equally eclectic mix of personalities.
I think I was most touched by Noel 'Razor' Smith's account of how he turned to a life of crime after having been victimized and harassed by the police. He spent the majority of his adult life in prison, where he taught himself to read and write, and eventually realised he could raise more havoc by writing complaints than he could by punching out the guards. The real turning point, though, was when his son died and he wasn't allowed to attend the funeral. Despite never having done any public speaking before (except "from the witness box at the Old Bailey," he quipped), he had a captivating presence and I didn't want him to stop. Alas, the bell rang and he was cut short. Just to give you an idea of how enraptured I was, the bell apparently rang several times and I never even heard it.
To give the evening a little more texture, there was also a musical interlude. Lulu and the Lampshades were absolutely enchanting. Their creative use of instrumentation, rhythm, and melody sucked me right in.
This little number is their most popular on YouTube. I think I might have preferred some of their other songs, but I love how they've incorporated the cup game here. Their stage rendition was even better, backed by a flute, guitar, and more percussion.
This all took place at Union Chapel, a Gothic church souped up with red stage lights, candles, and strung up number cut-outs. There was even a proper trendy bar upstairs where we hung out with a diverse crowd of hip 20-somethings, middle-aged professionals, and the retired elite during the intermission. A perfectly quirky venue for a perfectly quirky evening. They run these events regularly, and I think I might be hooked.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
I have a new blog!
I've finally decided to separate my personal and professional blogging. I now have a new blog for musing about all things teaching and learning. Stop by if you're interested, or simply enjoy the fact that you'll never have to endure my rants about education here ever again.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
London in Autumn
From the time I was a small child, I've been told the natural order of autumn leaves is for them to first change colours, then fall to the ground. But in London, this "law" of nature is only obeyed sporadically.
The majority of trees here go directly from green to barren. At first I thought the leaves, once turned, must fall right away... but then I started noticing an abundance of fallen, dried, green leaves. It's messing with my head! And is a little bit sad too; I feel as though I'm missing out on one of the best parts of autumn.
Another of the best parts is Halloween--a holiday mentioned only cautiously and with disdain in this part of the world. Several of my English friends have speculated it's because people here still associate the festival with its controversial past. Others have noted it serves mainly as an excuse for rebellious British youth to make mischief. But I, for one, think it's a crying shame.
That's why I was overjoyed when I was asked to carve a pumpkin with the children at school on Wednesday. I even got to roast the seeds! I was on a high from it the entire day, and I think I might buy another pumpkin and do it all again.
Ironically, despite the lack of qualities that have traditionally reminded me that this is a great season, I'm actually enjoying autumn a lot more than I have in many, many years. I've always found it difficult to enjoy the present when it serves as a constant reminder that the days are getting shorter and colder, and that soon we'll be plunged into the depths of winter (my most despised time of the year). But although my first British winter was hard on me, I think its relatively short lifespan coupled with a long, hot summer (I managed to be in India, Spain, Hawaii, England, and Canada at all the right times to maximize the heat) have made me much readier for winter this time around. We'll see how I feel about it in a month or two, but so far I'm doing ok.
In the meantime, we've arrived at our first break of the school year. I had hoped to spend this time in Italy, but unfortunately circumstances conspired against it. Instead, I'll be messing around with recipes, working on creative projects, and preparing to move. Yes, you read that right, I'm moving next month! Not to Spain, but to Camberwell--a charming area of South London only a 15 minute walk from my school. I'll be living in a lovely Victorian townhouse with four other really cool people. I think it'll be good for me.
The majority of trees here go directly from green to barren. At first I thought the leaves, once turned, must fall right away... but then I started noticing an abundance of fallen, dried, green leaves. It's messing with my head! And is a little bit sad too; I feel as though I'm missing out on one of the best parts of autumn.
Another of the best parts is Halloween--a holiday mentioned only cautiously and with disdain in this part of the world. Several of my English friends have speculated it's because people here still associate the festival with its controversial past. Others have noted it serves mainly as an excuse for rebellious British youth to make mischief. But I, for one, think it's a crying shame.
That's why I was overjoyed when I was asked to carve a pumpkin with the children at school on Wednesday. I even got to roast the seeds! I was on a high from it the entire day, and I think I might buy another pumpkin and do it all again.
Ironically, despite the lack of qualities that have traditionally reminded me that this is a great season, I'm actually enjoying autumn a lot more than I have in many, many years. I've always found it difficult to enjoy the present when it serves as a constant reminder that the days are getting shorter and colder, and that soon we'll be plunged into the depths of winter (my most despised time of the year). But although my first British winter was hard on me, I think its relatively short lifespan coupled with a long, hot summer (I managed to be in India, Spain, Hawaii, England, and Canada at all the right times to maximize the heat) have made me much readier for winter this time around. We'll see how I feel about it in a month or two, but so far I'm doing ok.
In the meantime, we've arrived at our first break of the school year. I had hoped to spend this time in Italy, but unfortunately circumstances conspired against it. Instead, I'll be messing around with recipes, working on creative projects, and preparing to move. Yes, you read that right, I'm moving next month! Not to Spain, but to Camberwell--a charming area of South London only a 15 minute walk from my school. I'll be living in a lovely Victorian townhouse with four other really cool people. I think it'll be good for me.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Special Needs London
When I was little, I delighted in the gifts my parents brought home from their work conferences: pens, paperweights, bags, lanyards, stress balls, and sometimes even toys. I gleefully attended home shows where I scarfed down beer nuts while attempting to convince my parents they needed to buy me a trampoline. And I still have a framed computer-generated image of my aura that I got at a health and wellness show a few years ago. In short, I love conventions.
Today, I attended my very first career-specific exhibition. I was excited. But did Special Needs London live up to my expectations?
I'll be honest, I was looking forward to freebies of the ilk of those given to me as a child. Instead, I came home with an impressive collection of catalogues and brochures (my school will be happy), a demo CD of a literacy computer program, and a cute bookmark. I also wish there'd been more stalls offering information about SEN (special educational needs) rather than businesses trying to sell their wares.
But what about the workshops? I attended two seminars, and while they were certainly the best part of the event and succeeded in getting me thinking, I'm not sure I learned very much from them.
Narrowing the gap - practical ways to raise the achievement of vulnerable learners
There's a lot of talk in the UK about "narrowing the gap" between high and low achievers in schools, but Neil MacKay approached this topic from a different angle: narrowing the gap between a child's ability to think and their ability to present information/ideas or write them down.
Things I especially liked:
- He was clearly a skilled teacher and presenter
- He got us talking to each other, which originally I wasn't keen to do, but quite enjoyed in the end
- I learned that OFSTED considers gifted & talented students to be one of the two most vulnerable groups (yay, people are finally recognising this!)
- He talked about educating the parents about how their children learn and how they can support them, and said that by making the parents less vulnerable, their children become less vulnerable too
- He talked about how our teaching and assessment strategies can create (or eliminate) vulnerabilities in certain children
I didn't like so much that he referred to jargon and acronyms that I'm not familiar with yet and didn't spend much time talking about specific strategies. But I think most of the other attendees, who have more experience with the British education system than I do, understood what he was talking about and could see the applications. I guess I'll just have to do more research.
Not just talking: why children have behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties nowadays
This wasn't what I was expecting it to be, but was interesting in theory nonetheless. It was delivered by speech language therapist Sioban Boyce and was centred on the fact that many children growing up these days have limited exposure to normal human interaction, and therefore never develop important non-verbal communication skills. This lack of non-verbal communication ability leads to confusion and frustration that manifest themselves in behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties. Great stuff.
The trouble was that she was not a very good orator (and was visibly nervous) and she spent the entire hour basically bragging about how her work with these children has impressed people. She didn't really present us with any strategies we can use ourselves, short of sending them to do 1:1 intervention and speaking to them in ways that won't be overwhelming. I would have loved to know more about how she works with these children, not just that it works. She did happily point out, however, that she has books for sale and offers intervention courses. Based on her presentation today (essentially an infomercial that I paid £14.10 to see), I'm wary of giving her any more money for products that may not actually teach me anything.
----
In conclusion, I'm glad I went but I was a little disappointed with what I got out of the experience. I think I might possibly have been spoiled by TED talks.
I did pick up one very important bit of information, though: Angel is a really cool area for shopping. I want to go back there soon, preferably with money.
Today, I attended my very first career-specific exhibition. I was excited. But did Special Needs London live up to my expectations?
I'll be honest, I was looking forward to freebies of the ilk of those given to me as a child. Instead, I came home with an impressive collection of catalogues and brochures (my school will be happy), a demo CD of a literacy computer program, and a cute bookmark. I also wish there'd been more stalls offering information about SEN (special educational needs) rather than businesses trying to sell their wares.
But what about the workshops? I attended two seminars, and while they were certainly the best part of the event and succeeded in getting me thinking, I'm not sure I learned very much from them.
Narrowing the gap - practical ways to raise the achievement of vulnerable learners
There's a lot of talk in the UK about "narrowing the gap" between high and low achievers in schools, but Neil MacKay approached this topic from a different angle: narrowing the gap between a child's ability to think and their ability to present information/ideas or write them down.
Things I especially liked:
- He was clearly a skilled teacher and presenter
- He got us talking to each other, which originally I wasn't keen to do, but quite enjoyed in the end
- I learned that OFSTED considers gifted & talented students to be one of the two most vulnerable groups (yay, people are finally recognising this!)
- He talked about educating the parents about how their children learn and how they can support them, and said that by making the parents less vulnerable, their children become less vulnerable too
- He talked about how our teaching and assessment strategies can create (or eliminate) vulnerabilities in certain children
I didn't like so much that he referred to jargon and acronyms that I'm not familiar with yet and didn't spend much time talking about specific strategies. But I think most of the other attendees, who have more experience with the British education system than I do, understood what he was talking about and could see the applications. I guess I'll just have to do more research.
Not just talking: why children have behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties nowadays
This wasn't what I was expecting it to be, but was interesting in theory nonetheless. It was delivered by speech language therapist Sioban Boyce and was centred on the fact that many children growing up these days have limited exposure to normal human interaction, and therefore never develop important non-verbal communication skills. This lack of non-verbal communication ability leads to confusion and frustration that manifest themselves in behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties. Great stuff.
The trouble was that she was not a very good orator (and was visibly nervous) and she spent the entire hour basically bragging about how her work with these children has impressed people. She didn't really present us with any strategies we can use ourselves, short of sending them to do 1:1 intervention and speaking to them in ways that won't be overwhelming. I would have loved to know more about how she works with these children, not just that it works. She did happily point out, however, that she has books for sale and offers intervention courses. Based on her presentation today (essentially an infomercial that I paid £14.10 to see), I'm wary of giving her any more money for products that may not actually teach me anything.
----
In conclusion, I'm glad I went but I was a little disappointed with what I got out of the experience. I think I might possibly have been spoiled by TED talks.
I did pick up one very important bit of information, though: Angel is a really cool area for shopping. I want to go back there soon, preferably with money.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Yo practico espanol
A couple of weeks ago, my agency presented me with the possibility of going to Madrid for a few months to work as an English tutor. I have no idea whether or not I'll get the job (though I have my fingers very firmly crossed -- I *heart* Madrid!), but I've started (again) to teach myself Spanish just in case. It's something I've been meaning to do for ages, anyway.
I study at least a little bit every day, and I've made noticeable progress, though I'm completely useless unless I can see the words. Castilians speak so quickly and with such a funny accent (my North American ears are more accustomed to Latino Spanish) that I have no idea which words have been said, let alone what they mean. I guess immersion and time are the only answers.
In the meantime, if you have any tips, resource recommendations, or want to teach/practice with me, I'd love to hear about it!
I study at least a little bit every day, and I've made noticeable progress, though I'm completely useless unless I can see the words. Castilians speak so quickly and with such a funny accent (my North American ears are more accustomed to Latino Spanish) that I have no idea which words have been said, let alone what they mean. I guess immersion and time are the only answers.
In the meantime, if you have any tips, resource recommendations, or want to teach/practice with me, I'd love to hear about it!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Same difference
The neat thing about supply teaching is that every school is different. I've learned so much just from observing the ways things are done from one place to the next. So far this year, I've had two placements which have had the following things in common:
- They're both in nursery
- They're in the same part of town and the same bus takes me there (though thankfully the new school is a little closer)
- They're both a little overwhelming in scale, but in different ways
The last placement was in an enormous, multi-building labyrinth of a primary school, but the nursery itself was small, calm, and easy to manage. I learned all the kids' names in one day. The new placement is in a much smaller building but it is strictly a nursery school and there are approximately 100 kids there at any given time, all free-flowing throughout the grounds. I have no idea how I'm ever going to remember their names.
I spent the morning floating around, playing with the kids and getting a sense for the place. I have to say, it was pretty impressive. They have so many cool things going on, and they have two fantastic outdoor areas, better than any other that I've seen. In the afternoon, I went along with one of the other TAs to look after a little boy with severe Autism.
I've never been given so little responsibility on a first day. It made me a bit uncomfortable (because I felt like I should be more focused/doing more) but it was nice. The school is nice. And so are the kids, the staff, and the parents. Lots and lots of nice.
I got to spend a fair bit of time in the sensory room, too, which is always a treat. If you've never seen one, sensory rooms are basically spaces loaded with, well, sensory things: lights, projectors, disco balls, bubbles, pillows, mirrors, music, massage stuff, etc. They're really lovely. Great for Autistic children and, I think, for their teachers as well. I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending time in one.
That being said, I was definitely tired by the end of the day. I didn't even realise it until after I left. I don't know if it was the weather or the work or the lack of sleep I got last night (probably a combination of all three), but it took everything I had just to stay awake on the bus ride home. I have a feeling I'm going to sleep very well tonight.
- They're both in nursery
- They're in the same part of town and the same bus takes me there (though thankfully the new school is a little closer)
- They're both a little overwhelming in scale, but in different ways
The last placement was in an enormous, multi-building labyrinth of a primary school, but the nursery itself was small, calm, and easy to manage. I learned all the kids' names in one day. The new placement is in a much smaller building but it is strictly a nursery school and there are approximately 100 kids there at any given time, all free-flowing throughout the grounds. I have no idea how I'm ever going to remember their names.
I spent the morning floating around, playing with the kids and getting a sense for the place. I have to say, it was pretty impressive. They have so many cool things going on, and they have two fantastic outdoor areas, better than any other that I've seen. In the afternoon, I went along with one of the other TAs to look after a little boy with severe Autism.
I've never been given so little responsibility on a first day. It made me a bit uncomfortable (because I felt like I should be more focused/doing more) but it was nice. The school is nice. And so are the kids, the staff, and the parents. Lots and lots of nice.
I got to spend a fair bit of time in the sensory room, too, which is always a treat. If you've never seen one, sensory rooms are basically spaces loaded with, well, sensory things: lights, projectors, disco balls, bubbles, pillows, mirrors, music, massage stuff, etc. They're really lovely. Great for Autistic children and, I think, for their teachers as well. I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending time in one.
That being said, I was definitely tired by the end of the day. I didn't even realise it until after I left. I don't know if it was the weather or the work or the lack of sleep I got last night (probably a combination of all three), but it took everything I had just to stay awake on the bus ride home. I have a feeling I'm going to sleep very well tonight.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Statement that is Personal
I mentioned last time that I'm applying for PGCE programmes. As part of the process, I have to write a personal statement. I'm nervous because all of the resources I've consulted have insisted that competition is fierce and my personal statement is the most important part of my application. So before I submit it to the universities, I'm submitting it to you for your feedback. Please be gentle.
I’ve known since I was thirteen years old that I wanted to become a teacher. It began innocently enough, with a love of helping people and a preference for process over product in the arts. I knew, for example, that I didn’t want to become an actor, but I liked the idea of becoming a drama teacher. When I arrived at university, my eyes were opened to a new possibility: using drama as a tool to teach subjects across the curriculum. From then on, my passion for teaching became unstoppable.
As part of my studies in Drama in Education, I learned how to engage students with different learning styles; how to use games and creative techniques to enhance, support, and direct learning; how to assess students at the beginning, middle, and end of a process; how to structure lessons and write lesson plans; how to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned; and, through my placements, how to carry it all out in practice. With the emphasis on child-centred learning that has emerged from the new National Curriculum, my degree training gives me a distinct advantage because I am already accustomed to focusing my teaching in ways that are most relevant to my students.
For the past year, I have been working as a TA and LSA in inner-London state schools. Working through an agency has given me the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of schools, age groups, and learning needs, as well as the chance to observe a variety of teachers. Through this process, I have proven my ability to adapt and think on my feet, as each new setting has inevitably presented different responsibilities and challenges. I have also proven my ability to work effectively with children, parents, and other teachers and TAs.
Of all the schools I’ve worked in, one of my favourites was a long-term placement supporting a Year 2 student with Global Delay. In addition to supporting her and other students in the classroom, I also had free rein over planning our daily literacy, numeracy, and physical development sessions outside the classroom. I really enjoyed having the chance to discover and develop methods that worked with her abilities, interests, and personality. In the three months we worked together, she went from making random scribbles on a page to correctly spelling CVC words and independently writing recognisable symbols on the lines. She also dramatically improved her counting ability and began to demonstrate understanding of simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This, along with my other TA experiences, has given me great confidence in my ability to innovate, motivate, and effectively use strategies that are accessible and meaningful to my students.
Being a TA is not always easy, but despite the low pay and the occasionally stressful conditions, I have stuck with it because I love it and I gain something from every challenge I overcome. For example, I am still working on the delicate balance between being a firm authority figure whilst remaining approachable, but my observations of other teachers--as well as resources such as Teachers TV and TES--have been very useful and I am making good progress in this area.
In addition to working as a TA, I have taught dance, drama, and musical theatre to children, have trained as a child yoga instructor, and have recently joined Kids Company as a volunteer. I seek out new learning experiences whenever I can—for example, I am registered for several seminars at this year’s Special Needs London convention. My ICT, teamwork, and organisational skills have additionally been enhanced by years of working in administrative and human resources roles.
I’ve never felt happier than when I am teaching and know this is a role I was born to fill. Despite my affinity and aptitude for education, I still have much to learn and I look forward to the intensive training afforded by a PGCE programme.
I’ve known since I was thirteen years old that I wanted to become a teacher. It began innocently enough, with a love of helping people and a preference for process over product in the arts. I knew, for example, that I didn’t want to become an actor, but I liked the idea of becoming a drama teacher. When I arrived at university, my eyes were opened to a new possibility: using drama as a tool to teach subjects across the curriculum. From then on, my passion for teaching became unstoppable.
As part of my studies in Drama in Education, I learned how to engage students with different learning styles; how to use games and creative techniques to enhance, support, and direct learning; how to assess students at the beginning, middle, and end of a process; how to structure lessons and write lesson plans; how to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned; and, through my placements, how to carry it all out in practice. With the emphasis on child-centred learning that has emerged from the new National Curriculum, my degree training gives me a distinct advantage because I am already accustomed to focusing my teaching in ways that are most relevant to my students.
For the past year, I have been working as a TA and LSA in inner-London state schools. Working through an agency has given me the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of schools, age groups, and learning needs, as well as the chance to observe a variety of teachers. Through this process, I have proven my ability to adapt and think on my feet, as each new setting has inevitably presented different responsibilities and challenges. I have also proven my ability to work effectively with children, parents, and other teachers and TAs.
Of all the schools I’ve worked in, one of my favourites was a long-term placement supporting a Year 2 student with Global Delay. In addition to supporting her and other students in the classroom, I also had free rein over planning our daily literacy, numeracy, and physical development sessions outside the classroom. I really enjoyed having the chance to discover and develop methods that worked with her abilities, interests, and personality. In the three months we worked together, she went from making random scribbles on a page to correctly spelling CVC words and independently writing recognisable symbols on the lines. She also dramatically improved her counting ability and began to demonstrate understanding of simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This, along with my other TA experiences, has given me great confidence in my ability to innovate, motivate, and effectively use strategies that are accessible and meaningful to my students.
Being a TA is not always easy, but despite the low pay and the occasionally stressful conditions, I have stuck with it because I love it and I gain something from every challenge I overcome. For example, I am still working on the delicate balance between being a firm authority figure whilst remaining approachable, but my observations of other teachers--as well as resources such as Teachers TV and TES--have been very useful and I am making good progress in this area.
In addition to working as a TA, I have taught dance, drama, and musical theatre to children, have trained as a child yoga instructor, and have recently joined Kids Company as a volunteer. I seek out new learning experiences whenever I can—for example, I am registered for several seminars at this year’s Special Needs London convention. My ICT, teamwork, and organisational skills have additionally been enhanced by years of working in administrative and human resources roles.
I’ve never felt happier than when I am teaching and know this is a role I was born to fill. Despite my affinity and aptitude for education, I still have much to learn and I look forward to the intensive training afforded by a PGCE programme.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Things you'll already know if you follow me on Facebook...
I finally have work! Well, sort of. I'm working half days in a Nursery (3 year olds) until next Friday (though I wound up staying a full day yesterday). It's a really lovely school and the staff have been extremely friendly to me (quite unusual!) and the kids are actually well-behaved (even more unusual!).
I remember last year when I was doing supply, I always felt as though I was fumbling through the day. Every school/teacher was different and I never knew exactly what was expected of me, much less where to find things or what the kids' individual needs were. But I guess a year of experience has done me some good, because I haven't felt that way at all this time. It was actually shocking to me, how confident I felt. And the other teachers seem to have noticed it too, because they made it abundantly clear they wanted me to apply for their permanent position. Of course, the application deadline was yesterday and I didn't find this out until after lunch, so I had to stay after school and write as quickly as I could in the half hour between the end of school and the deadline. (It meant missing capoeira too, grrr!)
There are a few cons to taking this job (the long, boring bus ride and the lack of challenge being two) and I don't even know whether I'll get it... but it feels really good to be appreciated and to have it confirmed that I can do this work. Sometimes I doubt myself. Being an agency employee in London can be pretty rough. Often the permanent staff will treat you like you're disposable and not a real human being.
It's also grad school application season. I'm applying for PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) programmes at both the Institute of Education and Roehampton University, but I also found a sweet MA in Special and Inclusive Education programme (about as ideal as it gets, seeing as I want to conduct my research on how children with Autism respond to creative education) at Roehampton that doesn't necessarily require me to get my PGCE first, so I'm applying for that too. The only way I'll be able to afford school is to go part-time, so heading straight into my MA would cut 2 years off my completion time. But it might also limit my career options when I'm finished. I'm not sure which option is better.
Other things:
- I'm continuing to stay busy and meet new people. I'm having a blast, but I'm also exhausted now that I'm back at work (I'd forgotten how tiring teaching can be).
- I'm in the process of becoming a Mentor for Kids Company. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that.
- I'm now in charge of planning workshops for Blues Revolution (which I have finally officially joined), and I have two coming up... a brand new one that I'll be teaching in October and our usual Beginner Intensive that my lovely friend Kavita will be teaching in November. Carter will of course be teaching both, because he's awesome like that.
- I have used parentheses excessively in this entry, and I will not apologise for it.
I remember last year when I was doing supply, I always felt as though I was fumbling through the day. Every school/teacher was different and I never knew exactly what was expected of me, much less where to find things or what the kids' individual needs were. But I guess a year of experience has done me some good, because I haven't felt that way at all this time. It was actually shocking to me, how confident I felt. And the other teachers seem to have noticed it too, because they made it abundantly clear they wanted me to apply for their permanent position. Of course, the application deadline was yesterday and I didn't find this out until after lunch, so I had to stay after school and write as quickly as I could in the half hour between the end of school and the deadline. (It meant missing capoeira too, grrr!)
There are a few cons to taking this job (the long, boring bus ride and the lack of challenge being two) and I don't even know whether I'll get it... but it feels really good to be appreciated and to have it confirmed that I can do this work. Sometimes I doubt myself. Being an agency employee in London can be pretty rough. Often the permanent staff will treat you like you're disposable and not a real human being.
It's also grad school application season. I'm applying for PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) programmes at both the Institute of Education and Roehampton University, but I also found a sweet MA in Special and Inclusive Education programme (about as ideal as it gets, seeing as I want to conduct my research on how children with Autism respond to creative education) at Roehampton that doesn't necessarily require me to get my PGCE first, so I'm applying for that too. The only way I'll be able to afford school is to go part-time, so heading straight into my MA would cut 2 years off my completion time. But it might also limit my career options when I'm finished. I'm not sure which option is better.
Other things:
- I'm continuing to stay busy and meet new people. I'm having a blast, but I'm also exhausted now that I'm back at work (I'd forgotten how tiring teaching can be).
- I'm in the process of becoming a Mentor for Kids Company. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that.
- I'm now in charge of planning workshops for Blues Revolution (which I have finally officially joined), and I have two coming up... a brand new one that I'll be teaching in October and our usual Beginner Intensive that my lovely friend Kavita will be teaching in November. Carter will of course be teaching both, because he's awesome like that.
- I have used parentheses excessively in this entry, and I will not apologise for it.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Chasing the blues away
I'm cheating here, because it's past midnight and therefore no longer September 8th... but since I haven't gone to bed yet, I feel entitled to say that I moved to London precisely one year ago. A lot has happened and changed in that time, but one thing is the same as this time last year: the stress of not having a job.
Finding work at the beginning of the school year is a challenge. Schools are still sorting out what they need in terms of long-term positions and daily supply roles are few. I have hope that because I have more experience now, I'll have an easier time landing something long-term. But in the meantime, it is rather stressful. Add to that a few other personal issues, including the fact that I have outgrown my shoebox of a room, and you get a Bryn who is not sleeping properly, not eating properly, experiencing headaches and physical tension, and suffering from miniature panic attacks. Not fun.
I'm doing my best to counteract this by getting out, meeting people, and doing things. Last night, for example, I went out to two dance venues (one WCS, one lindy hop). Had a great time and felt significantly better afterward. Fantastic, so long as I don't think about the money I spent.
My friend Desirée has been great about getting me out, too. I've already met two of her friends (both really interesting people) on two separate occasions this week. On Sunday, we tried to go to a free outdoor theatre thing on the south bank, but it turned out to be children's theatre... and pretty weird children's theatre, at that.
I think they were singing a Lady Gaga song at this point. Anyway, we didn't last long and hightailed it to a pub, where we got to make fun of the terrible trumpet player. Perhaps I should pursue a performance career here if it's that easy to get gigs.
Also on my radar is capoeira. I've been meaning to get back into it for ages but have been kind of afraid. My capoeira sessions at Carleton University were really intense. I was in good shape at the time and still had difficulty walking for days afterward. In any case, I've decided I'm finally going to lay my fears to rest and return to capoeira tomorrow. I'm quite excited, but once again, I will have to ignore the money being spent. Though it is not much, it adds up quickly when you have a budget of roughly £0 (or actually, negative hundreds of pounds).
But you see, last year, I let my lack of disposable income stand in the way of me doing fun active things. Contrary to most people's experiences, I actually put on a whole bunch of weight after moving to Europe. Not to mention the general feeling of malaise that goes along with dropping your activity level. No. I will not let it happen again, no matter the costs.
Of course, being active doesn't always have to cost money. I'm also doing the two hundred sit-ups challenge. I naturally have pretty good core strength and the programme isn't actually that difficult for me, but it is useful for making me do regular core workouts. I just finished 184 crunches and it feels good. I will eventually do the 100 push-ups programme too... but that one intimidates me. I cannot do push-ups. At all. Hopefully a few weeks of capoeira will help prime my upper body strength, though, and make it more manageable.
As for more free things that get me doing stuff, this coming weekend is The Thames Festival (one of the big highlights of last year for me). It's totally awesome and doesn't cost a thing! So far nobody has expressed any interest in joining me, so if you're out there and interested, please let me know! Festivals are always much better with company. Here's last year's blog post about it and here are some more pictures (mainly from the fire garden, as it was my favourite part).
South Bank
Free running/parkour
Fire garden
Now that I have a better camera and I'm working on my photography skills (more on that soon), I'm hoping this year's photos will be even better!
Finding work at the beginning of the school year is a challenge. Schools are still sorting out what they need in terms of long-term positions and daily supply roles are few. I have hope that because I have more experience now, I'll have an easier time landing something long-term. But in the meantime, it is rather stressful. Add to that a few other personal issues, including the fact that I have outgrown my shoebox of a room, and you get a Bryn who is not sleeping properly, not eating properly, experiencing headaches and physical tension, and suffering from miniature panic attacks. Not fun.
I'm doing my best to counteract this by getting out, meeting people, and doing things. Last night, for example, I went out to two dance venues (one WCS, one lindy hop). Had a great time and felt significantly better afterward. Fantastic, so long as I don't think about the money I spent.
My friend Desirée has been great about getting me out, too. I've already met two of her friends (both really interesting people) on two separate occasions this week. On Sunday, we tried to go to a free outdoor theatre thing on the south bank, but it turned out to be children's theatre... and pretty weird children's theatre, at that.
I think they were singing a Lady Gaga song at this point. Anyway, we didn't last long and hightailed it to a pub, where we got to make fun of the terrible trumpet player. Perhaps I should pursue a performance career here if it's that easy to get gigs.
Also on my radar is capoeira. I've been meaning to get back into it for ages but have been kind of afraid. My capoeira sessions at Carleton University were really intense. I was in good shape at the time and still had difficulty walking for days afterward. In any case, I've decided I'm finally going to lay my fears to rest and return to capoeira tomorrow. I'm quite excited, but once again, I will have to ignore the money being spent. Though it is not much, it adds up quickly when you have a budget of roughly £0 (or actually, negative hundreds of pounds).
But you see, last year, I let my lack of disposable income stand in the way of me doing fun active things. Contrary to most people's experiences, I actually put on a whole bunch of weight after moving to Europe. Not to mention the general feeling of malaise that goes along with dropping your activity level. No. I will not let it happen again, no matter the costs.
Of course, being active doesn't always have to cost money. I'm also doing the two hundred sit-ups challenge. I naturally have pretty good core strength and the programme isn't actually that difficult for me, but it is useful for making me do regular core workouts. I just finished 184 crunches and it feels good. I will eventually do the 100 push-ups programme too... but that one intimidates me. I cannot do push-ups. At all. Hopefully a few weeks of capoeira will help prime my upper body strength, though, and make it more manageable.
As for more free things that get me doing stuff, this coming weekend is The Thames Festival (one of the big highlights of last year for me). It's totally awesome and doesn't cost a thing! So far nobody has expressed any interest in joining me, so if you're out there and interested, please let me know! Festivals are always much better with company. Here's last year's blog post about it and here are some more pictures (mainly from the fire garden, as it was my favourite part).
Now that I have a better camera and I'm working on my photography skills (more on that soon), I'm hoping this year's photos will be even better!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Whirlwind tour
Two days ago was the one year anniversary of this blog, and I had meant to write my 100th post that day... but I got caught up in the craziness that was Summer Hummer -- a major West Coast Swing event outside of Boston. More on that later.
My last couple of weeks in Ottawa were fun and busy. Plenty of teaching and socialising and side gigging ensued. But now that I'm looking back on it, even though it's only been a few days since I left, it feels so long ago.
Fresher in my mind is the trip down to Boston. Imagine the look of shock on the customs officer's face when he realised a stuffed animal was driving our car.
Ok, maybe not. He did ask us if we knew anything about the terrorists in Ottawa, except he worded it as: "What's happening in Ottawa?" Um... well there's the parliament, which seems to be perpetually on vacation. There are some shopping malls and museums and bike paths. Oh, there's swing dancing! You should go there and check it out. But no, we don't know anything about the terrorists.
Summer Hummer was fun. Relaxing, as far as dance weekends go, since it was workshop and pool party and competition intensive and I only really danced around 3 hours a day. Sunday was the best part of the weekend. I ate real food (trust me, this was a big deal), took an awesome private lesson from my favourite WCS follow (Melissa Rutz), and danced my face off at the after party.
Monday, I spent countless hours in airports and on airplanes. Tuesday morning, I arrived home, took care of a couple important business matters (bank and grocery store), and promptly fell asleep. I slept for 14 hours, woke up for 6, and then slept for 6 more. I now have a killer headache. But I'm home! And now the challenge of finding work begins.
My last couple of weeks in Ottawa were fun and busy. Plenty of teaching and socialising and side gigging ensued. But now that I'm looking back on it, even though it's only been a few days since I left, it feels so long ago.
Fresher in my mind is the trip down to Boston. Imagine the look of shock on the customs officer's face when he realised a stuffed animal was driving our car.
Ok, maybe not. He did ask us if we knew anything about the terrorists in Ottawa, except he worded it as: "What's happening in Ottawa?" Um... well there's the parliament, which seems to be perpetually on vacation. There are some shopping malls and museums and bike paths. Oh, there's swing dancing! You should go there and check it out. But no, we don't know anything about the terrorists.
Summer Hummer was fun. Relaxing, as far as dance weekends go, since it was workshop and pool party and competition intensive and I only really danced around 3 hours a day. Sunday was the best part of the weekend. I ate real food (trust me, this was a big deal), took an awesome private lesson from my favourite WCS follow (Melissa Rutz), and danced my face off at the after party.
Monday, I spent countless hours in airports and on airplanes. Tuesday morning, I arrived home, took care of a couple important business matters (bank and grocery store), and promptly fell asleep. I slept for 14 hours, woke up for 6, and then slept for 6 more. I now have a killer headache. But I'm home! And now the challenge of finding work begins.
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