PGCE - Current Students Thread

Original post by mrclown

Hi all,

I'm on a training route that is half schools direct and half assessment only (it's the first of its kind and really unusual). However, in terms of my role, it's like a salaried schools direct I suppose. My school made a place for me after I had done some volunteering there.

My query is a bit complicated...

At the moment, I'm finding that teaching takes up less of my time than all of my other responsibilities (organising trips, extracurriculars, visitors, departmental stuff and so on). I like everything I am involved in, but I was just wondered about how much other trainee teachers are encouraged to do outside of planning, teaching, marking and so on? I think I need to evaluate how I'm balancing things!

My school expects me to be taking part in an extra-curricular activity at least once a week, plus any responsibilities that come with a class (key stage meetings, departmental meeting, parents evenings, all marking etc.). I don't run an extra-curricular club each week, so instead just help out when needed - so far I've run science club, conducted mock oxbridge interviews and taught a cross-curricular spanish and science lesson amongst other things. But this is for a PGCE.

People on my course who are school's direct are expected to help out at their school at least as much as me and often more. This is a symptom of the nature of school direct - you're meant to be almost like a proper teacher there, whereas PGCE students are meant to be treated as trainees.

Reply 4587

Can someone please give me a good push or kicking should I say to get on with my lessons and plan them, I have sooo many to do, and it's like every 3 hours I get next to nothing done :|

HALP - procrastination... panick settling in!

Reply 4588

Carnationlilyrose

Original post by Sam89

Can someone please give me a good push or kicking should I say to get on with my lessons and plan them, I have sooo many to do, and it's like every 3 hours I get next to nothing done :|

HALP - procrastination... panick settling in!

On Christmas Eve? Nobody expects that of you!

Reply 4589

Original post by Carnationlilyrose

On Christmas Eve? Nobody expects that of you!

Okay, excuse enough - partay time :colone:

Reply 4590

Carnationlilyrose

Original post by Sam89

Okay, excuse enough - partay time :colone:

Absolutely. I know of no actual teachers who would do such a thing, and I know some seriously sad teachers.

Reply 4591

Ratchit99

7

Merry christmas guys,, i hope everyone is having a proper break right now

Reply 4592

Airfairy

21

Original post by Sam89

Can someone please give me a good push or kicking should I say to get on with my lessons and plan them, I have sooo many to do, and it's like every 3 hours I get next to nothing done :|

HALP - procrastination... panick settling in!

I echo what carnationlilyrose said! Furthermore, I don't know how you have enough to do that you're considering working?! I mean, I know the pgce is tough, but we have two weeks off. Surely you can take some of those days off?!

My main worry is an essay I have due in but I've told myself to try to ignore all that for the first week at least.

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Reply 4593

Original post by Airfairy

I echo what carnationlilyrose said! Furthermore, I don't know how you have enough to do that you're considering working?! I mean, I know the pgce is tough, but we have two weeks off. Surely you can take some of those days off?!

My main worry is an essay I have due in but I've told myself to try to ignore all that for the first week at least.

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I've got loads left, but have made some progress - which I am quite content with! Still need to do 2 assignments, sort teacher's file out, mark a ton of things, and create more lessons and resources but hey ho.. *says nervously*

On a more serious note guys, I need a bitta advise.

Before breaking for holidays, my year 9's had a lesson solely based on group work (mentor said because they need to present don't make a lesson plan/resources or anything just let them get on with it) - it got a little noisy which was fine.

What caught me off guard and has somewhat shaken me (yes, still) is that this girl, from another class, barging into my classroom - first time around I let it go, second time, I said "excuse me" and she responded "no miss, I don't care, don't talk to me someone's taken something from me I need it" *walks up and down for 2 mins and walks out*

I genuinely felt intimidated, because some teacher who obviously isn't doing their job has let her wonder off, she feels like she can come in and shout/scream, demanding things.

Now, I spoke to the teacher (who also happens to be my mentor) who's class she was supposed to be in, and he said something along the lines of "ah she has 'issues', so leave it, no point bringing her up on her behaviour, it won't do anything".. I felt like, wow okay (yes my mentor has behaviour management issues) - next lesson, she comes in again like she owns the place, no knocking, just casually walks in.

To sum up -

1) I'm sure this is going to happen again, she won't listen to me what do I do?
2) I feel like that level of 'respect' the class had for me, as I can be quite harsh, has somewhat depleted because this girl has thrown me off and I've never dealt with a student so intimidating thusfar
3) My mentor says "leave it" - I know this isn't correct, as it will still disrupt my class and it's bugging me how she got away with being so darn rude.

... so what can I do in this situation?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 4594

kpwxx

20

Original post by Sam89

I've got loads left, but have made some progress - which I am quite content with! Still need to do 2 assignments, sort teacher's file out, mark a ton of things, and create more lessons and resources but hey ho.. *says nervously*

On a more serious note guys, I need a bitta advise.

Before breaking for holidays, my year 9's had a lesson solely based on group work (mentor said because they need to present don't make a lesson plan/resources or anything just let them get on with it) - it got a little noisy which was fine.

What caught me off guard and has somewhat shaken me (yes, still) is that this girl, from another class, barging into my classroom - first time around I let it go, second time, I said "excuse me" and she responded "no miss, I don't care, don't talk to me someone's taken something from me I need it" *walks up and down for 2 mins and walks out*

I genuinely felt intimidated, because some teacher who obviously isn't doing their job has let her wonder off, she feels like she can come in and shout/scream, demanding things.

Now, I spoke to the teacher (who also happens to be my mentor) who's class she was supposed to be in, and he said something along the lines of "ah she has 'issues', so leave it, no point bringing her up on her behaviour, it won't do anything".. I felt like, wow okay (yes my mentor has behaviour management issues) - next lesson, she comes in again like she owns the place, no knocking, just casually walks in.

To sum up -

1) I'm sure this is going to happen again, she won't listen to me what do I do?
2) I feel like that level of 'respect' the class had for me, as I can be quite harsh, has somewhat depleted because this girl has thrown me off and I've never dealt with a student so intimidating thusfar
3) My mentor says "leave it" - I know this isn't correct, as it will still disrupt my class and it's bugging me how she got away with being so darn rude.

... so what can I do in this situation?

That is a tough situation. I would say seek support from someone higher up on sorting out her behaviour in terms of coming in to your class. Or at least find out what the strategy is as there should be one if her behaviour is a known issue. Does the school have a pastoral manager who can let you know more about how to deal with her?

Having said that I know it's tough because I would worry I'd get my mentor in trouble... Maybe you could ask your mentor again to take you to see the pastoral person or show you any behaviour management plans for this girl or something.

Xxx

Oh and as a side note, stay confident. You're obviously happy with behaviour management in general which is great for a normal teacher let alone a trainee! Chances at your class is still fine with you, you just feel less confident because this girl has shaken you.

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(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 4595

Original post by kpwxx

That is a tough situation. I would say seek support from someone higher up on sorting out her behaviour in terms of coming in to your class. Or at least find out what the strategy is as there should be one if her behaviour is a known issue. Does the school have a pastoral manager who can let you know more about how to deal with her?

Having said that I know it's tough because I would worry I'd get my mentor in trouble... Maybe you could ask your mentor again to take you to see the pastoral person or show you any behaviour management plans for this girl or something.

Xxx

Oh and as a side note, stay confident. You're obviously happy with behaviour management in general which is great for a normal teacher let alone a trainee! Chances at your class is still fine with you, you just feel less confident because this girl has shaken you.

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Thank you!

I would say on the whole, I'm good with managing behaviour - is it weird that certain students seem intimidating to me though? I don't know what it is, the fact that they're bigger than me or something else - I can manage the class on a whole but certain students I will avoid confrontation with :|

Next time she walks in though, I think I will lose my cool and simply tell her to get out or else i'll get someone to remove her.

Reply 4596

kpwxx

20

Original post by Sam89

Thank you!

I would say on the whole, I'm good with managing behaviour - is it weird that certain students seem intimidating to me though? I don't know what it is, the fact that they're bigger than me or something else - I can manage the class on a whole but certain students I will avoid confrontation with :|

Next time she walks in though, I think I will lose my cool and simply tell her to get out or else i'll get someone to remove her.

Not weird at all. Its something about their attitude and behaviour. Everyone has types of people they don't get on as well with, it's a similar thing with students. It happens with any age as well... Even the tiny ones can do it!

Xxx

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Reply 4597

tory88