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Normalise 'Trying Hard'

  Introduction - A Change of Direction I started blog writing last summer as we stepped out of lockdown and back in to face to face teaching. Initially the purpose was to create a place where I could be reflective and document changes I felt I needed to make to my practice.  In turn my blog posts took the form of opinion pieces, recording issues or themes I had encountered, and how my new plunge in to the world of educational literature and (amateur) cognitive science had helped me put a strategy in to action! It provided a catalyst, and gave me direction. I really enjoy sharing my ramblings! A lot has changed even in this short time. Being recently appointed as Advanced Practitioner for a Sixth Form Vocational College, I have decided to align my writing with this new role.  So, I will be using this space to share real experiences of collaboration, mentoring and support; and to discuss topical themes and musings that impact on the development of myself and colleagues as w...
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'Levelling Up' - My Own Agenda

If You Can Keep Your Head... A Summary: The nine weeks from the end of August through to October half-term were tough for teachers! We experienced a very different enrolment process followed by the first full block of face-to-face teaching in... well I can't even remember how long it has been! And let's not forget the students; plunged deeply back in to the rigour of a full half term, the first in Further Education for many!  We safely navigated through the waters to the break, and overcame the challenges. I stuck to 'the plan' and the voyage continues! 'Levelling Up' - My Own Agenda I am now in my 16th academic year of teaching; I would say that for four or five years somewhere in the middle of that time I had coasted... I paid lip service to internal CPD and took the odd idea here and there from guest speakers or other practitioners.  I wasn't "bad". I have always been comfortable and confident standing in front of students guiding them through a...
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"If You Can Keep Your Head..."

The Planning Process: A Perspective on Planning for Teaching and Learning... A Summary: Lots of the focus of planning teaching and learning has been on setting high standards and improving key skills. You might remember my mention of 'Strong Starts' ; I have been using a set proforma at the start of most lessons so far this year which aims to reinforce this idea, and to immediately engage students from the point they enter the classroom. So far so good! I have not really felt that 'void' period of the lesson between students entering the room, and the start of teacher exposition. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this... (ahem), but encouraging students to think more about what they write and how they write it is a bit of a drive for me within the Sport and Uniformed Protective Services curriculum this year. Students have all attempted a curriculum-related extended writing task and have received feedback which focused mostly around how to 'Write with Impact...
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The Planning Process: A Perspective on Planning for Teaching and Learning

Switching off whilst staying switched on... A Summary: Recently I have seen further constructive conversation on edutwitter about planning for the new academic year; 'how much should I be doing during the summer hols?', 'Is working through some of the holidays inevitable to avoid being under prepared?' and so on... If you are reading this, it may help to reassure you that even after 15 years of teaching in the FE sector, I am yet to find the secret recipe! This was the theme of my previous blog post; and through feedback from other teachers and tutors the balance is dependent on what works best for you and your own way of working; and not to mention what variables, commitments and values dictate how you spend your summer weeks! In summary, don't be harsh on yourself, be realistic, and what ever prioritising your own physical, emotional and mental well-being looks like to you, do that!  The Chicken or the Egg? Before I start, like my previous blog post, the thoughts ...
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Switching off whilst staying switched on...

  The Dilemma... I am at times a very predictable beast... at the end of each academic year I tell myself what I going to do over the break and how 'I'm not going to do what I did last year!'. This July was no different, as I set loose and lazy goals for what I want to achieve over the six-week break: 'I will get my schemes of work done!' 'I'm going to set up my resources ready for the first term!' 'I need to sort my fitness out!' I have realised however that this type of goal setting brings two major problems; a.) The goals are too far-reaching; and do not inform appropriate action b.) The focus of the goals piles the pressure on over the summer break! What about family, rest and me? So how much do I do? What is the norm? What is the balance? The reality is, I have never got this right, and the fact I revisit the same method of goal setting each year and achieve very little signals that change is needed.  Teachings on goal setting for fitness fr...
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