The first thing we did with them was simply watch and learn (Jamie Pennell)

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NZSAS soldier Jamie Pennell in his book Serviceman J is talking about when he was part of a team training local security forces in Afghanistan.

Before they did anything, they got to know the men and women they'd be training. 

I'm most definitely still in a watch and learn phase at my new job (English teacher at Hastings' Boys' High School).

Like Jamie, this is done by spending a lot of time chatting and drinking tea.

It would be impossible to do this quickly and know everybody: who they were; what they did; what their strengths and weaknesses are. I'm four weeks in and still learning about all the roles staff have. The culture of every school, every staff room, is unique. 

I'm pretty relaxed about the amount of time this phase will take - definitely the next 5 weeks of this term at least.

Hopefully, by the start of term 4 I will be more equipped to be more effective, but it might take another term.

Look and learn, soak it up without judgement is the modus operandi for me during this time.

The book of love is long and boring, no one can lift the damn thing (Peter Gabriel)

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We have 20 minutes of sustained silent reading in our classes straight after lunch every day. Once I get sorted with things I'll need to bend my brain to ways to encourage boys to read.

It's a struggle every day to get them focused on reading something.

I'm the only person in the room who brings a book to read each day (currently a book of short stories by Louis L'Amour), the boys have a pile of books to choose from each day and a few stick to the same book, but not many.

Like I say, when I've got my head around everything else I need to know about and prepare for, I'll raise it with the department and see if any of my colleagues have any bright ideas. I'll also read back in this blog for previous thoughts on the issue.

In the meantime, I'll continue my modelling act.

I can see for miles and miles (The Who)

 

The view from my desk

I have had some great views from my classrooms over the years.

Top three would be:

1. The view over Eastern Beach in Auckland (Macleans College)
2. Interior of Pridham Hall (New Plymouth Boys' High School)
3. South-east towards Te Mata peak (Hastings Boys' High School) 

Boys boys boys

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Male students being disrespectful to female teachers, while being more respectful to male teachers isn't a new thing, unfortunately. I am currently working in an all-boys' school and I've heard a few of the female teachers making this point.

I certainly heard it at my previous school too.

Man/boy relationships are easier and less complicated, it seems to me. As I've said to a few people, I went to an all-boys' school, and I've previously taught in an all-boys' school. So, I know the territory.

Before a boy accepts an invitation to engage in scholastic activity, he takes a measure of the person extending the invitation. To engage, to attend closely, to work hard, to try - these commitments are not easily won (Reichert and Hawley in Reaching Boys Teaching Boys).

I don't want to overthink it and I know I'm potentially on thin ice here - but males knowing the territory certainly helps, so it's easier for males to get that initial acceptance, I think.

I wish it didn't matter whether you're a female or a male teacher, but it does.

Back in the classroom, open your books (Chuck Berry)

Photo by Tuyen Vo on Unsplash

As a teacher, there's something great about having a base. Up till now I've been teaching in three locations - all other people's classrooms. But as of today, I now have a classroom (one of those three) to call home and that feels pretty groovy. 

The last time I had a classroom to myself was at Woodford House, eight years ago.

Now I can put the furniture where it works for me and my students, I can set up a more conducive learning culture and I can display material as well. I also have a cupboard to store my gear! Very cool. 

It also works from a school perspective. Unloved rooms that aren't 'owned' by a teacher are destined for poor treatment by both staff and students.

It's a win win.

When one teaches, two learn (Robert Heinlein)

I'm in a deep learning phase at my latest school - Hastings' Boys' High School, where I've joined the English department.

Learning about the traditions (i.e. assembly, what happens at break times etc), the staff (who does what, where the mana lies), the culture (how things are done day to day), the boys (how they learn, how I need to adapt to their needs), emergency procedures (we had an emergency evacuation and a lock down in my first week), the geography (bit by bit I'm venturing forth) and the key relationships I need to be effective.

So, I'm in look/Listen and learn mode - soaking it all up, and, by the way, having a ball.