I've just got back feeling refreshed from a stunning 10 day trip to the beautiful Te Wai Pounamu (otherwise known as the South Island).
While on holiday I did many walks to explore the Wanaka area. Here's a photo I took when I walked to the top of Roys Peak around 1500m up!
I also climbed to see some spectacular glaciers shown here. Its called Rob Roy's Glacier
To get back into the swing of teaching and life I did some readings this morning. I read this inspiring article meant for first year teachers but I think it has some sound advice for us more seasoned teachers to reflect on as well.
http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/marigolds/
After reading this I thought wow sometimes (maybe a lot) throughout my career I've been one of those walnut trees spreading toxicity throughout the workplace. It reminded me we create the world we want to live in even in the workplace! If we want to live an extraordinary life we need to pioneer it and enroll others to come along with us. I hope to be someones marigold this year.
In November last year a friend of mine, who turns out to be my teaching marigold, invited me along to an open evening at the Unitech Mindlab. I was a well matured walnut tree by this time. Resigned and cynical with the whole teaching profession I was about to throw the towel in. I had no intentions of enrolling in the course. She encouraged me to come because she said she didn't want to go on her own.
I said sure I'll go along but only for the free wine because I don't believe in this and that. You bet I had all the most negative things to say about the course.
Well there was no wine but, after the open home evening I thought there's no way I can miss out on this. Sign me up!
It's been a boost in my career. That walnut tree has been pruned and hacked right down its nearly a stump in the ground. I just need some dynamite to remove the last part of it.
As part of this course I have been embracing, expanding, exploring and sharing all the great ideas they share with me. I had never realised just how out of date my teaching practice was. I mean geez I only graduated from teachers college five years ago surely I was still current right?
I watched this clip on the idea of flipped classrooms. I'm pondering how to set this up in my own classroom for 2016. I'm taking on a year 3 class this year at a new school which is a new challenge in itself for me having come from teaching the senior students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhq3Yn_QgIA
I like the idea that all the fun hands on learning is done with the teacher and the boring front loading 'stuff' is done at their own pace via a video recording.
Good luck finding and being a marigold out there in your school. The following clip may inspire you to lead a positive change initiative in your workplace this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwxrsngEJDw
Hello Sarah Richardson. So good to know you through your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I feel privileged and honored to get connected with you. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, and love to get connected with the people of God around the world to be encouraged, strengthen and prying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 36 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. Since you have your interest in Yoga and have also taught in the Retirement Homes, we would love to have you come to Mumbai with your friends to educate people in the slums about the environmental sustainability with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you and your family and friends. Wishing you a blessed, bright, prosperous and a Christ centered New year.
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah Richardson. So good to know you through your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I feel privileged and honored to get connected with you. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, and love to get connected with the people of God around the world to be encouraged, strengthen and prying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 36 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. Since you have your interest in Yoga and have also taught in the Retirement Homes, we would love to have you come to Mumbai with your friends to educate people in the slums about the environmental sustainability with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you and your family and friends. Wishing you a blessed, bright, prosperous and a Christ centered New year.
ReplyDelete