I had a great nights sleep last night. I think it might have a great deal to do with the fact that I don't have to go to work for 3 days. Imagine that, Monday is a public holiday. I am so looking forward to it.
The rest of the week proved to be just plain annoying in terms of security in my area of the workplace. (and then there were other things that were just plain annoying)
Wednesday morning - break in and burglary....where they took the office computer and the external hard drive. This was annoying in a number of ways.
Thursday morning - am informed that the front door to our centre was unlocked. We state that we had locked the place up the night before, and that the cleaner was, as far as we know, the last person to lock the place. This is a mystery.....and it's proving to be a thorn.
Friday morning - find out that the side door was open and swinging wide open all night which caused the alarms to go off. I was certain that we had locked it after the chairs were taken out/put back for General Assembly the day before. Apparently no. They probably weren't bolted properly and this has caused a huge issue.
Last night, as I was about to leave, I checked EVERY window in that place and EVERY door. We have 12 windows and 3 external doors. There are also 2 doors that are behind another set of unused glass doors. The glass doors lead to the corridor that no longer exists due to building works. The two external doors are from the old corridor - where the kids used to come into school. The other day we noticed that the unused doors were unbolted. Last night I checked them as well.
I then made sure all internal doors were locked. 11 of them. All up this takes a good 5 minutes. I just hope that NOTHING was opened last night. I really don't want to hear because this time, I checked the lot. If I hear that means it is not an oversight on our account but that someone has decided we are a soft target and they are aiming at us right now.
I will be pleased when the new doors, locks, bars on windows and other new security measures are put into place in the centre....It will mean that we don't have to keep locking away the computer each night in another, more secure part of the building. That more secure part being an area that can't be seen from the outside....
Another frustrating thing that came up this week - and has done so for the past couple of weeks, is the fact that my senior class have been taught so many wrong things last year! They were taught by someone who has since left. The information is factually quite wrong. I am trying very hard not to undermine this particular person but it proves difficult when the kids in front of you state that the other teacher told them .......
One mis-information you can overlook, but I am up to 4! And all of this is not difficult stuff. At first I just thought that they were being impish and trying to get a reaction. I asked one of them to explain the basis for the theory....she could AND seemed to believe it. It was heartbreaking to see/hear that what they knew was wrong and they would have to relearn information.
Then losing rehearsal time to other activities. I understand that things go on - but there is an expectation that our ensembles will perform at functions. It is incredibly hard for this to happen when other things either move you from the venue and you are uninformed (as happened for my choir rehearsal on Wednesday), or kids are expected to be elsewhere - Monday night rehearsals for the past 2 weeks with SACS and excursions.
On a positive note - my classes (except the misinformed senior class) are going really well. There are just a few behavioural things that go on still - but they are sorting themselves out fairly quickly as the kids want to play. I like all my kids that I teach. I am incredibly lucky to have such a great group of kids. They make the job worthwhile.
Since I began, this blog has been about me....complete ramblings but always my raw thoughts......
Showing posts with label grr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grr. Show all posts
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
what a week!
Started back at work last Wednesday - although I did go into work for 2 half days the week before to organise (or try to) my new workspace. Wednesday - Friday we had three days of preparation and PD. The PD was ok - I did hear a lot of stuff that intrigued me and made me question my teaching practice which can only be a good thing- but I found I personally thought that the all day one could have been cut down.
Thursday we heard about Generation Z (basically those 16 and under) and how to teach them. There is not much research about them - but then how can there be when many of them are not really able to make a huge contribution to the studies anyway. What we did get was a run down of the Generations from those pre WWII to those now - a brief snapshot of characteristics, influences etc. This was all quite interesting but I think it could have been cut down by half. The speaker was really fascinating, had some great insights and was passionate about her content but some of it should've been condensed. The audience came along for the ride but there were many waves of talking - some relevant, some not. Again - it could've been cut down.
The information that was most relevant, such as how to actually plan your teaching etc, I felt was almost treated like an after thought. I think this was due to the fact that so much time was spent on deciphering what makes each generation tick.
That's often the problem with getting speakers into a workplace who are not really familiar with the situation (people and context) they are addressing. Yes, they know their research but the issue is how to make the research REALLY relevant to the people they are addressing. It is probably an issue that many speakers face. Most do a good job, some are appalling but a few really get why they've been asked to address this particular crowd and then make it worthwhile for the crowd.
The speaker we had for the second half of Friday was probably much more entertaining. She was talking about how to actually see what you are doing making an effect..."Visible Learning". The basis for this was that her colleague has done a meta study of all the studies that have been done on achievement and then collated them into one study. Our speaker presented the findings in quite an entertaining way and as a result left a number of questions to be answered. She opened a can of worms and then, as she pointed out, ran away for us to clean up the mess. That mess will be an entertaining discussion - if we actually have it......
As a consequence I am thinking about who, what when and where of my teaching......the most important thing I am thinking is 'Why?'.
I would've preferred more time as a faculty though. Always the case I think, but I am working as a new Learning Area (Faculty) Manager and really would like the time to get my team firing. We have already made some huge changes in the way we operate but we had a lot of little issues to clean up from the last few years. It is so frustrating that when someone is in a position of power but then don't actually do what they are meant to do. Most of what I have done in the last few days is facilitate a discussion about policy for headphones, keyboards, room design etc. I have put my foot down every now and then but, at the moment, we are quite amicable. I don't forsee that we will move beyond that drastically.
In amongst all of this I have had HUGE car issues!
Monday night I was driving home from a friends house about 60km (still in metro region!!!!) away. The fuel emission warning light came on and stayed on.
Tuesday night was a public holiday so I couldn't do anything about this light. Wednesday I rang my mechanic and was told to drop the car up on Thursday. This I did and then found out the cause of the light.....The coil pack was misfiring and there was a fault in number 3. In my brand of car this meant having to change all 4 as they are all one unit. We are talking over A$600 to do. I took a deep breath and said ok. I understand the principles of the coil pack - to fire the cylinders that allow the car to move forward.
I picked the car up after work and set off for home. Now I live a good 30 minute drive from work, by choice as it is near the beach. I had travelled no more than 5 minutes down the road when the car stopped and every warning light came on! I was able to glide over to the kerb and get out of the way of traffic - thank goodness. I rang the mechanic, explained the situation and he came and got me. Well, he re started the car and followed me back to the garage.
He had run a few more tests on the car with his computer and it started stating that there were other issues - nothing to do with what he replaced. He had never seen this happen (fix one thing and have something else go wrong which is slightly related!) so he rang his auto electrician and the supplier of the parts. Both reported that they had had this happen once or twice before with my brand of car - but it was unusual.
Options he presented to me - take a chance and drive home and bring it back tomorrow (Friday) or leave it with him so he could start taking out the computer.....at which point I was seeing a lot of money heading his way.........
He then asked what suburb I lived in. I told him. He told me that I was NOT taking the car. No options at all. At this stage I was very, very worried and starting getting that feeling of helplessness that you get when things are out of control.....
The best thing that he then did was state that I had paid over $600 which was now a credit to me. He was starting from scratch. He didn't know what the issue was but was going to find out. This means sending the computer and the old coil pack to the car manufacturer for testing to find out what exactly is wrong. If I have to get a new computer only - then I have already paid for it. If it is both parts that need replacement then he will not charge me labour.
The worst thing is I have no car until Tuesday at the earliest. I have rescheduled all over the place for the things I was doing this weekend - leg wax, hair dye etc.
All I want is my car to be fixed and to have it back.........I might go back to planning and writing work for my classes.........it distracts me from crying over my lack of car.
Thursday we heard about Generation Z (basically those 16 and under) and how to teach them. There is not much research about them - but then how can there be when many of them are not really able to make a huge contribution to the studies anyway. What we did get was a run down of the Generations from those pre WWII to those now - a brief snapshot of characteristics, influences etc. This was all quite interesting but I think it could have been cut down by half. The speaker was really fascinating, had some great insights and was passionate about her content but some of it should've been condensed. The audience came along for the ride but there were many waves of talking - some relevant, some not. Again - it could've been cut down.
The information that was most relevant, such as how to actually plan your teaching etc, I felt was almost treated like an after thought. I think this was due to the fact that so much time was spent on deciphering what makes each generation tick.
That's often the problem with getting speakers into a workplace who are not really familiar with the situation (people and context) they are addressing. Yes, they know their research but the issue is how to make the research REALLY relevant to the people they are addressing. It is probably an issue that many speakers face. Most do a good job, some are appalling but a few really get why they've been asked to address this particular crowd and then make it worthwhile for the crowd.
The speaker we had for the second half of Friday was probably much more entertaining. She was talking about how to actually see what you are doing making an effect..."Visible Learning". The basis for this was that her colleague has done a meta study of all the studies that have been done on achievement and then collated them into one study. Our speaker presented the findings in quite an entertaining way and as a result left a number of questions to be answered. She opened a can of worms and then, as she pointed out, ran away for us to clean up the mess. That mess will be an entertaining discussion - if we actually have it......
As a consequence I am thinking about who, what when and where of my teaching......the most important thing I am thinking is 'Why?'.
I would've preferred more time as a faculty though. Always the case I think, but I am working as a new Learning Area (Faculty) Manager and really would like the time to get my team firing. We have already made some huge changes in the way we operate but we had a lot of little issues to clean up from the last few years. It is so frustrating that when someone is in a position of power but then don't actually do what they are meant to do. Most of what I have done in the last few days is facilitate a discussion about policy for headphones, keyboards, room design etc. I have put my foot down every now and then but, at the moment, we are quite amicable. I don't forsee that we will move beyond that drastically.
In amongst all of this I have had HUGE car issues!
Monday night I was driving home from a friends house about 60km (still in metro region!!!!) away. The fuel emission warning light came on and stayed on.
Tuesday night was a public holiday so I couldn't do anything about this light. Wednesday I rang my mechanic and was told to drop the car up on Thursday. This I did and then found out the cause of the light.....The coil pack was misfiring and there was a fault in number 3. In my brand of car this meant having to change all 4 as they are all one unit. We are talking over A$600 to do. I took a deep breath and said ok. I understand the principles of the coil pack - to fire the cylinders that allow the car to move forward.
I picked the car up after work and set off for home. Now I live a good 30 minute drive from work, by choice as it is near the beach. I had travelled no more than 5 minutes down the road when the car stopped and every warning light came on! I was able to glide over to the kerb and get out of the way of traffic - thank goodness. I rang the mechanic, explained the situation and he came and got me. Well, he re started the car and followed me back to the garage.
He had run a few more tests on the car with his computer and it started stating that there were other issues - nothing to do with what he replaced. He had never seen this happen (fix one thing and have something else go wrong which is slightly related!) so he rang his auto electrician and the supplier of the parts. Both reported that they had had this happen once or twice before with my brand of car - but it was unusual.
Options he presented to me - take a chance and drive home and bring it back tomorrow (Friday) or leave it with him so he could start taking out the computer.....at which point I was seeing a lot of money heading his way.........
He then asked what suburb I lived in. I told him. He told me that I was NOT taking the car. No options at all. At this stage I was very, very worried and starting getting that feeling of helplessness that you get when things are out of control.....
The best thing that he then did was state that I had paid over $600 which was now a credit to me. He was starting from scratch. He didn't know what the issue was but was going to find out. This means sending the computer and the old coil pack to the car manufacturer for testing to find out what exactly is wrong. If I have to get a new computer only - then I have already paid for it. If it is both parts that need replacement then he will not charge me labour.
The worst thing is I have no car until Tuesday at the earliest. I have rescheduled all over the place for the things I was doing this weekend - leg wax, hair dye etc.
All I want is my car to be fixed and to have it back.........I might go back to planning and writing work for my classes.........it distracts me from crying over my lack of car.
Monday, February 9, 2009
OMG #2
They think the number of deaths will rise above 200. 131 so far. FUCK!
My friends are ok. I am relieved.
One friend described the scene as horrific. He spent Saturday spotting his house. The fire was within 1km. The wind swirled around him as the ashes and embers dropped from above. He kept an eye on the weather yesterday but it was calmer as the heat had died down but the wind was from the other direction.
Today he went to work at his hospital where they had to take in the bodies of the local deaths as the morgues are too full. He is emotionally whacked. I am just pleased that he is here.
I found out that my cousin lost his house but he is here.
Now I am hearing the call that "if you can see flames, it is too late to leave."
I am numb.
I am crying at the sheer cruelty of what is happening to my beautiful state.
Both the state Premier and the country's Prime Minister are here and are emotionally smacked by this. Many pictures of them crying and hugging people who have nothing left.
They are treating this as if it were a terrorist attack. 30 Disaster Identification Officers are here from interstate to deal with the growing number of bodies. The army has been brought in to bulldoze, clean up and supply food, bedding and some shelter.
It was reported that many hospitals are running out of morphine for the burn victims and they have doctors who worked with those from the Bali bombings.
Arson is suspected. Arseholes! Complete and utter fuckwits.
If you see someone flicking a lit cigarette but report them!
75 Government schools shut today.
Remember to hug those you love.
Here is how much is affected. (link to Google map)
My friends are ok. I am relieved.
One friend described the scene as horrific. He spent Saturday spotting his house. The fire was within 1km. The wind swirled around him as the ashes and embers dropped from above. He kept an eye on the weather yesterday but it was calmer as the heat had died down but the wind was from the other direction.
Today he went to work at his hospital where they had to take in the bodies of the local deaths as the morgues are too full. He is emotionally whacked. I am just pleased that he is here.
I found out that my cousin lost his house but he is here.
Now I am hearing the call that "if you can see flames, it is too late to leave."
I am numb.
I am crying at the sheer cruelty of what is happening to my beautiful state.
Both the state Premier and the country's Prime Minister are here and are emotionally smacked by this. Many pictures of them crying and hugging people who have nothing left.
They are treating this as if it were a terrorist attack. 30 Disaster Identification Officers are here from interstate to deal with the growing number of bodies. The army has been brought in to bulldoze, clean up and supply food, bedding and some shelter.
It was reported that many hospitals are running out of morphine for the burn victims and they have doctors who worked with those from the Bali bombings.
Arson is suspected. Arseholes! Complete and utter fuckwits.
If you see someone flicking a lit cigarette but report them!
75 Government schools shut today.
Remember to hug those you love.
Here is how much is affected. (link to Google map)
Monday, January 19, 2009
I'm not a fundamentalist
I am just back from my 'blob' holiday. I loved every minute of doing not much and love the idea that I am truly relaxed.
While I was away I read a book that I needed for one of my book clubs.
I WILL NOT mention the name of this book as it is one of THE worst books I have ever read. In 160+ pages I agreed with 1 1/2 sentences. It is unusual for me to feel so antsy about a book but this one pushed every button. Well done!
To put it succinctly it is one man's version on how people should live their life based on church teachings and quotes from the bible. What you end up with is quite strong rhetoric that smacks off far right thinking that you could not be blamed for confusing with the type of language that has been thrown about by other religion 'terrorists'. Just change the name of the god they talk about and you have exactly the same story.
A friend within the group did suggest that I might find the language a little challenging. The language was not a challenge. It was the fundamental belief that all should live according to this set of rules and if you don't then you will not live within gods love. hmmmmmm.
This book was suggested by someone in the book club and she is within her right to suggest anything but it has left me thinking that I might just have to plot my revenge. Do I offer a memoir of a woman who has lived as a prostitute and drug addict? What about a book about mental illness? I could throw in murder mysteries (both fiction and non-fiction).
If you have any interesting suggestions please comment. I would love to have something that is just a little bit of a challenge.
While I was away I read a book that I needed for one of my book clubs.
I WILL NOT mention the name of this book as it is one of THE worst books I have ever read. In 160+ pages I agreed with 1 1/2 sentences. It is unusual for me to feel so antsy about a book but this one pushed every button. Well done!
To put it succinctly it is one man's version on how people should live their life based on church teachings and quotes from the bible. What you end up with is quite strong rhetoric that smacks off far right thinking that you could not be blamed for confusing with the type of language that has been thrown about by other religion 'terrorists'. Just change the name of the god they talk about and you have exactly the same story.
A friend within the group did suggest that I might find the language a little challenging. The language was not a challenge. It was the fundamental belief that all should live according to this set of rules and if you don't then you will not live within gods love. hmmmmmm.
This book was suggested by someone in the book club and she is within her right to suggest anything but it has left me thinking that I might just have to plot my revenge. Do I offer a memoir of a woman who has lived as a prostitute and drug addict? What about a book about mental illness? I could throw in murder mysteries (both fiction and non-fiction).
If you have any interesting suggestions please comment. I would love to have something that is just a little bit of a challenge.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Exam marking again
This time last year I was learning how to mark year 12 papers and I was seriously learning about time management.
This year I am back marking year 12 papers. Different paper so we have to learn how to mark it again. Work out how the information actually fits into the set questions. It proves interesting.
Teaching is a very personal industry. You train with a group of people - about 40 or so that you have direct contact with. You work in a few schools and you get to know a few more people. I have worked with over 300 people in 15 years at 4 different schools. Really that is not many.
Within your own subject area the numbers become smaller. At my first school I worked in a department of 7 teachers. Two classroom and the rest instrumental. My next school was 2 classroom and 5 instrumental. Third school I was the classroom teacher (as well as drama teacher) and there were 3 instrumental teachers. This school has 4 classroom teachers (huge) and 16 instrumental teachers. In essence I have only worked with about 50 music teachers.
The point of all of this is that I work in a small subject area. Everyone knows everyone - or at least knows of everyone. If they don't really know you then they pretend. Today in training there was a lot of pretending. There was also a lot of bizarre antics that went on.
There was a lot of one-up-manship going on. We listened to the various pieces that are on the syllabus and then we talked about what we heard etc. Some of the people had to outdo each other. I have to admit, I joined in on that. I am not immune to this posturing. If I hear it enough I will take part in it too. There is an element of "pick me, pick me!"
So I have learnt today that you have to play the game. Make sure your voice is heard by the right people - but I still have to find out who they are.
I have also learnt that you have to watch your back. There are things that were said today that I had to react against - quietly, I promise. I found myself having to defend against unwarranted accusations of an unknown group......I was, unknowingly to this cohort, part of the unknown group. I spoke to the chief assessor when we had a break and it was never mentioned again!
I have realised that the assessors put themselves on a pedestal. The exam setters are also on their own pedestal. The unknown group are the vetters. This group read the paper and make sure it reads well, fits the criteria etc. I think I did that but it was the beginning of the year so my recollections are hazy and there was a bit of stuff going on in the background so I was not completely focused on the task. I could have written something that has come back to bite the whole exam on the bum! It happens. But it might have been someone else.
Enough said of the unknown.
Tomorrow we go through the paper in full, slotting in today's information and start marking as a group. We compare our marks. We discuss differences. Then we do it again. By the end of the day we should be a cohesive group.
I then take home my 100 papers (or 50 depending on the numbers and who I am partnered with) and I mark them on my own. I call into the central office with the 'control' papers and compare my marks.
I worked out last year that it takes about 2-3 days to mark 100 papers.
It really is an interesting process but it is quite tiring. Thank goodness I get paid per paper.
This year I am back marking year 12 papers. Different paper so we have to learn how to mark it again. Work out how the information actually fits into the set questions. It proves interesting.
Teaching is a very personal industry. You train with a group of people - about 40 or so that you have direct contact with. You work in a few schools and you get to know a few more people. I have worked with over 300 people in 15 years at 4 different schools. Really that is not many.
Within your own subject area the numbers become smaller. At my first school I worked in a department of 7 teachers. Two classroom and the rest instrumental. My next school was 2 classroom and 5 instrumental. Third school I was the classroom teacher (as well as drama teacher) and there were 3 instrumental teachers. This school has 4 classroom teachers (huge) and 16 instrumental teachers. In essence I have only worked with about 50 music teachers.
The point of all of this is that I work in a small subject area. Everyone knows everyone - or at least knows of everyone. If they don't really know you then they pretend. Today in training there was a lot of pretending. There was also a lot of bizarre antics that went on.
There was a lot of one-up-manship going on. We listened to the various pieces that are on the syllabus and then we talked about what we heard etc. Some of the people had to outdo each other. I have to admit, I joined in on that. I am not immune to this posturing. If I hear it enough I will take part in it too. There is an element of "pick me, pick me!"
So I have learnt today that you have to play the game. Make sure your voice is heard by the right people - but I still have to find out who they are.
I have also learnt that you have to watch your back. There are things that were said today that I had to react against - quietly, I promise. I found myself having to defend against unwarranted accusations of an unknown group......I was, unknowingly to this cohort, part of the unknown group. I spoke to the chief assessor when we had a break and it was never mentioned again!
I have realised that the assessors put themselves on a pedestal. The exam setters are also on their own pedestal. The unknown group are the vetters. This group read the paper and make sure it reads well, fits the criteria etc. I think I did that but it was the beginning of the year so my recollections are hazy and there was a bit of stuff going on in the background so I was not completely focused on the task. I could have written something that has come back to bite the whole exam on the bum! It happens. But it might have been someone else.
Enough said of the unknown.
Tomorrow we go through the paper in full, slotting in today's information and start marking as a group. We compare our marks. We discuss differences. Then we do it again. By the end of the day we should be a cohesive group.
I then take home my 100 papers (or 50 depending on the numbers and who I am partnered with) and I mark them on my own. I call into the central office with the 'control' papers and compare my marks.
I worked out last year that it takes about 2-3 days to mark 100 papers.
It really is an interesting process but it is quite tiring. Thank goodness I get paid per paper.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
litter bugs
I am so over people throwing things from their car. I've become a bit of a nasty on this one. I report them!
Take today for instance. Stupid person (not sure male/female but assume male due to make of car) slowly cruised past me and then moved into my lane without indicating. This riled me. Don't mind if you move into the lane in front of me BUT let me know you are going to!
The window wound down and a lit cigarette butt appeared out through the window on the drivers side. Now I was really cross. It is so dry at the moment and the temperature today is very warm so it is only an IDIOT that thinks it is ok to throw out a lit cigarette butt out of the window.
Then there is the pollution issue - these butts don't decompose and are washed into the storm water drains which go straight into the bay, if we had any rain.
So I memorised the registration number and where we were. Once I was home I got onto the EPA website and reported the dirty litter bug.
If you know me and live near me be warned.....I'm watching you!
Take today for instance. Stupid person (not sure male/female but assume male due to make of car) slowly cruised past me and then moved into my lane without indicating. This riled me. Don't mind if you move into the lane in front of me BUT let me know you are going to!
The window wound down and a lit cigarette butt appeared out through the window on the drivers side. Now I was really cross. It is so dry at the moment and the temperature today is very warm so it is only an IDIOT that thinks it is ok to throw out a lit cigarette butt out of the window.
Then there is the pollution issue - these butts don't decompose and are washed into the storm water drains which go straight into the bay, if we had any rain.
So I memorised the registration number and where we were. Once I was home I got onto the EPA website and reported the dirty litter bug.
If you know me and live near me be warned.....I'm watching you!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
learning never stops
Cup day today in Melbourne. Reserve Bank had a .75 cut in interest rates. America votes for new president overnight our time.
It's an eventful day all up.
I went to a friends house were a group of us sat around and nattered away. A good day all up.
Learnt something today. I need to shut up sometimes. I didn't say anything really but my actions did stop another conversation taking place that needed to take place. For that I am sorry.
I like learning things. I just hate the way I have to learn things. I bash my head against the wall to realise that the wall is solid and it will hurt my head. Sometimes it would be good to learn by observation...
On another completely different note --- we had a sweep at the party for the cup. Now I know that I said I didn't gamble when I was at work on Friday.....but I entered the sweep. As luck would have it, my horse came in 2nd. I made some money out of it. I don't do this often but today I let my guard down.
It's an eventful day all up.
I went to a friends house were a group of us sat around and nattered away. A good day all up.
Learnt something today. I need to shut up sometimes. I didn't say anything really but my actions did stop another conversation taking place that needed to take place. For that I am sorry.
I like learning things. I just hate the way I have to learn things. I bash my head against the wall to realise that the wall is solid and it will hurt my head. Sometimes it would be good to learn by observation...
On another completely different note --- we had a sweep at the party for the cup. Now I know that I said I didn't gamble when I was at work on Friday.....but I entered the sweep. As luck would have it, my horse came in 2nd. I made some money out of it. I don't do this often but today I let my guard down.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
the long weekend
It's the long weekend - well at least for me and a few lucky others who are taking Monday off before the 'Race that stops a nation' on Tuesday. (Melbourne Cup day)
Next year we wont get this day off. Note to self - enjoy the weekend and do lots of stuff......
On Friday we had a morning tea to recognise all teachers in Victoria. As a consequence I had fruit for lunch.....In amongst all this they ran the sweep for the Melbourne Cup. I have made a pledge this year that I am not going to throw money at these sort of things. I haven't taken part in the footy tipping (really 'missed' that!) and now I haven't bothered with the cup.
The male my desk is next to asked me (in the same way that he asks about anything - tone implies arrogance) if I was taking part in the sweep. I replied "no, I'm not into gambling anymore." [you might remember this strange man from the horoscopes post this week.]
His glib reply "so how do you get out of bed everyday?"
I gave him one of most withering looks but remembered that he doesn't understand facial expressions or body language, so switched it off to conserve my energy.
Having received no reply from me he concluded that I didn't understand his comment and decided to explain it so that I would. I replied with a noncommittal "hmm" which was enough encouragement for him to go further.
I picked up my stuff and left for class. He continued talking.
Next year we wont get this day off. Note to self - enjoy the weekend and do lots of stuff......
On Friday we had a morning tea to recognise all teachers in Victoria. As a consequence I had fruit for lunch.....In amongst all this they ran the sweep for the Melbourne Cup. I have made a pledge this year that I am not going to throw money at these sort of things. I haven't taken part in the footy tipping (really 'missed' that!) and now I haven't bothered with the cup.
The male my desk is next to asked me (in the same way that he asks about anything - tone implies arrogance) if I was taking part in the sweep. I replied "no, I'm not into gambling anymore." [you might remember this strange man from the horoscopes post this week.]
His glib reply "so how do you get out of bed everyday?"
I gave him one of most withering looks but remembered that he doesn't understand facial expressions or body language, so switched it off to conserve my energy.
Having received no reply from me he concluded that I didn't understand his comment and decided to explain it so that I would. I replied with a noncommittal "hmm" which was enough encouragement for him to go further.
I picked up my stuff and left for class. He continued talking.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
meltdown!
It has been a very interesting beginning to the week.
(highlight!)
Monday Night - I saw the most amazing concert EVER! Stevie Wonder. He is mind blowing. He played for 2 1/2 hours without a break and without a warmup band. He channelled the 4 tops, Miles Davis, played Giant Steps and Spain - all within the context of his own songs. He has so much material that he had to put most of songs into a medley! It was amazing.
(lowlight!)
Monday afternoon - before the concert - one of my colleagues rang me to 'discuss' the way I had made arrangements for children to sing at another colleagues funeral. I do use the term lightly. There was no discussion! I was accused of all sorts of things - including a lack of professionalism. WTF! That is when I saw red.
The whole story looks something like this. The principal rang me Sunday morning to advise me that I would need to organise some music for the funeral as the lady had just passed away (about 30 minutes ago). At this stage no music had been requested, time and date not organised. It was looking very fluid. I spoke to no-one as I had nothing to discuss.
Monday I spoke to the principal and was given a list of requested music. My internal reaction was "how am I going to do those pieces seriously?". Time and date still unknown. I got together a group of senior students and asked them if they were willing to take part. Most of them were ok but reluctant considering the music choices.
Later in the day the Principal said the pieces I had previously been told of were now to be played via disc and we were being asked for vocal music that was spiritual/gospel in style. Time and date now known.
It was now, when I knew what I was dealing with, that I rang the particular teacher to ask for input (like to organise, be involved in the music for the service). I suggested what I had discussed with the kids and that this was all up for negotiation. I was not going to make a decision about the group or the teacher's involvement. I was informing them that most of the senior singing students were willing to participate.....
As I was driving home this teacher rang me and basically told me that I was trying to take their job because of the way that I had spoken to the teacher and that I had not consulted. (What did I have to consult about? There had been nothing at that stage to discuss!)
I came out with the classic "Right! That's where I draw the line. I object to what you are saying because....." and outlined what I have stated above. I then went on with the fact that I was not in the position of making decisions for this or any ensemble etc......
Then there were analogies with String or Wind groups. The teacher stated that if I was asked to organise one of those groups I would have consulted with a string/wind teacher. I told the teacher that in the situation I wouldn't as most of the teachers were not in on Monday or Tuesday due to their timetables and the fact that there was another funeral on Tuesday - which I did not know about until Sunday......and that I would have organised the students as we had to move quickly to get permission slips out etc.
Then I was compared to the last head of department and came out with a classic "She would have done this...." I know what the truth of the matter is in this situation, the last head of department is one of my closest friends. My response "I'm not her."
The teacher then compared the current head of department to a fascist leader as he did not consult anyone when giving the choir to me. (AAH - now the truth comes out!) My response was that the teacher needed to talk to him about this. Retort: "what is the point? You conspired with him because you wanted it and my job!"
WTF! No way. He directed me - The teacher was not there in the discussion we had about it and I was doing my job. I did not agree with it but was told there was no option. Again, take it up with him.
Finally, I had had enough (20 minutes in and all). I then described the first conversation we had (8 years ago) as it was so unusual that it sticks in my mind. At that stage the teacher was concerned I was employed to take their job and that was they were saying now.
I told the teacher (please excuse the language) that I didn't want their fucking job as I had one of my own. I was very good at my job - classroom music teacher - and that they should be proud of the job they have as they do it well. (when there is no emotional meltdown - but I didn't mention that!) I don't have time to do both jobs! In amongst all of this I am an instrumental coordinator and my job was to organise music at the Principal's discretion. I acknowledged that they had made it blatantly clear that they did not want me to have ANYTHING to do with the rehearsal of the kids for Thursday, even though they were not in until then missing a normal day of teaching, and that I would organise the kids as this was my job, but I would NOT rehearse them.
I must admit, I was angry! (no!!!)
The teacher then apologised - although it felt half hearted.
Tuesday day. Informed the principal of this teacher's rant at me and my reaction (it is relevant to other things political happening in the school related to this person but nothing with me.....) and told the head of department that the teacher might being coming to speak to him.
I organised the kids - permission slips, rehearsal time for Thursday etc. Suggested what piece they might do but it might change as their director might think of something else appropriate. Then rang the teacher to let them know the outcome.
(highlight)
Tuesday night - Started yoga. Focused on breathing. Cleared the mind. Relaxed. Had a lovely time. What a beautiful thing.
Wednesday - pile of correction waiting for me! Excuse me while I head for it.......
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