Before beginning a summer break with my family, I am reflecting on my feelings about a new teaching position in 2017, with excitement and trepidation. I am fortunate to have a full time position for 2017 and am excited by the role. I can use Inquiry learning in my maths class. There is so much scope for using my creativity to help my students learn maths with confidence and enjoyment. With that scope comes a large amount of trepidation.
This is my first teaching appointment, so I am 'the new kid on the block'. I don't want to let anyone down. I want my students to have a great year in my maths class. I want to do well. I don't know all the ins and outs of the school. The staff team that I have met are very welcoming and supportive but I don't want to be a drain on them. All these thoughts have been in my head, along with 'Where do I start....I have so many ideas?" and "How do I maintain a good work-life balance and look after myself and my family properly?"
SO WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ACTUALLY TEACHING?
It dawned on me this morning that, come the first week of school, my students are likely to feel just the way I am feeling at the moment. They are going to be excited to start a new school or meet up with old friends again. They are going to be wishing they could just keep things the way they were over the Summer. They are going to feel swamped by what's ahead at some time. They are going to love some things and be afraid of those same things sometimes.
As their maths teacher I need to remember the emotions that my students will experience. If I am to be successful at getting my students to take risks in maths, I have to support them sufficiently to allow them to feel brave enough to try, but not take all risk out of the equation for them.
So my lesson from the past week or so, since I knew I had a position in 2017, is to remember my own feelings this week, to be understanding of how my students will feel in the early weeks of school, and maybe even when we start new topics. I need to embrace both my excitement and my fears for 2017. I will help my students do the same through sharing the journey with them.
Bring on 2017 with all it's challenges, triumphs and surprises.