2015 - Short Term Contract and Relief Teaching (Full Time)
Background Context
My work in 2015 comprised of a large range of relief teaching and temporary contract classes, essentially full time. I regularly taught at a number of different urban schools, which included significant blocks of work in early childhood, working with a science specialist, teaching in high school and in adult vocational education. I even tutored a year 10 high school student in chemistry, turning him around from failing badly, to gaining 70% in his end of year exam. I also completed the last of my four graduate modules during 2015, providing me much collaborative support from fellow graduates.
I secured four short term contracts in 2015, two weeks as a physical education specialist, two and a half weeks in a year 1 class, four weeks in a year 1 class and term four in a year 2 class. This was in addition to the part time role I held in vocational education for much of the year. My work in lower primary was thoroughly rewarding, and I was able to become comfortable with this somewhat unusual role for a mature male. I personally believe the role modeling I can provide as a man for children is highly valuable, as explained in child raising books such as 'The Secret of Happy Children' by Steve Biddulph.
Reflective Commentary
Across 2015 I taught at twelve different educational institutions, and amazingly I came to realise at the end of 2015, I had now been a teacher in all grades from pre-primary to year 12, including TAFE! The diverse nature of this year provided me with invaluable year level and classroom management experience and an understanding of the need to scale my teaching appropriately to the developmental level of my audience.