A Few Words That Made My Day

My poor little Year 7 classes are always bottom of my priority list. With three A level and three GCSE classes, they are the two I feel I’m least on the ball with. Maybe I’m being a bit hard on myself, but I always worry my lessons could be better planned, with better resources, their book better marked.

However, this year I’ve found these have been the lessons I’ve enjoyed the most. I love the enthusiasm of 11/12 year olds and their innocence. In each of the classes there are a couple of real characters, who really make me smile.

Last night was their parents evening. Even now after 12 years of teaching and becoming a parent myself, I still get nervous having to talk to the grown ups! I was fully expecting a few comment regarding the books maybe not being marked regularly enough, or there’s not enough homework set, or your not challenging my child enough.

Last night was one of my nicest parents evenings to date. Every parent was lovely and so many commented on how much their child was enjoying their Maths lesson this year. Forget getting outstanding by ticking boxes on an assistant heads checklist, these are the comments that tell me I’m doing (hopefully) a good job!

Since September I’ve watched nervous children grow in confidence in themselves and their ability and I hope I’ve played a small role in that. I love seeing the quieter kids start to raise their hand and get more involved in the lessons. I also love watching as they start to need less reassurance from me as they start to believe in themselves they are doing things right.

Almost every teacher questions themselves on a daily basis as to whether they are doing a good job. There are never enough hours in the day and we never get to complete jobs as well as we would like. As one parent left last night they said thank you. As I smiled in response they looked me straight in the eye and said “honestly, thank you so much for all you’ve done!”

It was a long night with sixty sets of parents to see, but I left on a massive high!

24 Comments

  1. Christina
    March 13, 2014 / 8:28 pm

    Sounds like you’re doing a fab job hun! xx

  2. March 13, 2014 / 9:46 pm

    Aww, brilliant Jo! So glad it all went well, and was an encouraging experience. I’m sure you are shattered tonight! I love reading your posts, particularly the teaching ones. You seem so dedicated to both your family and your job – I really admire that! E x

    • March 13, 2014 / 9:56 pm

      Thank you, so often I worry I’m doing a crap job all round it’s nice to be told otherwise. It’s nights like that that really remind me why I do the job, and also make me feel quite proud! xx

  3. March 14, 2014 / 1:41 pm

    Well done! That’s the kind of lesson feedback we need!
    I find parents eve really nerve wracking too – I always feel like they’re going to catch me out an realise I don’t actually know what I’m doing – which is ridiculous because I do! X

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:17 pm

      Haha, I always feel the same way. You think it would get easier but I’m still as nervous as I was as a newbie! x

  4. March 14, 2014 / 1:52 pm

    Sounds like you’re a great job. You know you’re making a difference when you’re thanked by parents!

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:21 pm

      Thank you, I’m just happy that the kids are happy in my lessons, and hopefully learning something to x

  5. March 14, 2014 / 6:19 pm

    great to be appreciated for your efforts

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:21 pm

      It is nice, especially when teachers seem to constantly be getting a bad press!

  6. March 15, 2014 / 9:37 am

    That is really nice! Appreciation and praise are so important for our kids, husbands, people in our lives – but it’s so easy to forget to do!

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:22 pm

      Definitely easy to forget, especially when you have a million and one things running through your head. A thank you can go a very long way x

  7. ClearlyBex
    March 15, 2014 / 11:01 am

    Thats a great post to read. Being able to hear of the positives of being a teacher really makes me feel good. Especially as recently i’ve been slightly upset with teachers, its all about keeping the balance right. Ensuring targets are met but also children are happy! Well done x

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:23 pm

      Thank you, I’m sick to death of hearing about targets. I really worry that education is becoming all about targets and less about educating a child! I hope things change soon, but I doubt it! x

  8. Jenny
    March 15, 2014 / 12:54 pm

    Oh that’s amazing! Well done you! You must feel so proud! You are such a great momma and teacher. Super woman!!! πŸ˜‰ Thanks for sharing.

    • March 15, 2014 / 8:28 pm

      Oh bless you Jenny, but I am definitely no superwoman. Just about keeping all the balls in the air, but it does make me proud when I hear the kids are enjoying my subject, and doing well. Reminds me why I do the job xx

  9. Notmyyearoff
    March 17, 2014 / 7:02 am

    You sound like a brilliant teacher and you must be pretty good if they are loving maths!! ;). 7 classes sounds really hard work!

  10. March 17, 2014 / 9:50 am

    Lovely post. Great that the parents appreciate the work you are doing.

    Popped across from #MagicMoments

  11. March 17, 2014 / 2:54 pm

    Wow! This is lovely. It is so good to read that you are enjoying your job. I am just about to go back to teaching (driving) and I have to say that I have really missed it. My sister teaches children of a similar age and she loves it too. Thank you for linking to Magic Moments x

  12. March 17, 2014 / 8:38 pm

    Lovely to hear parents evening from the other side!

  13. Wicked World of Lucas
    March 18, 2014 / 5:23 pm

    Sounds like every school could do with a teacher like you there. You can be awarded the highest accolades but when kids are learning because they’re genuinely interested in what you’re saying, and when the Parents say ‘thank you’, that’s definitely better than any reward. Fab post hun πŸ™‚

  14. March 18, 2014 / 5:25 pm

    Grace says – WOW – you sound like such a cool teacher. I hope when I go the BIG school, the teachers are as nice as you sound. BIG school looks a bit scary but I’ve got a few years yet. High-5’s to a VERY cool teacher xx

  15. March 24, 2014 / 4:43 pm

    What a lovely post, I’m so pleased that the parents were all lovely although I’m quite sure it’s because you’re a brilliant teacher πŸ˜‰ xx

  16. Caroline
    November 6, 2014 / 11:55 pm

    If you can convey the Joy of Maths then you will be a godsend to the children you teach! Everything in life is maths, one way or another. Glad your parents evening went well, those who have never done it cannot know how stressful and exhausting it is.

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