Welcome to the Educators' Cafe - Introduce Yourself Here

thank you for the invite @tyme 

hello @Snowie , @Zoe7 , @purplesneakers 

Moderated

Hi all, I'm Snowie. 

I have taught in Education, mainly Secondary, for the last 21 years. At the moment I am on leave having to put my Mental Health First. My aim is to go back to teaching as soon as I can.

I mainly taught Maths, Science and Physical Education.

Whilst I was working I did a lot of coordination of year levels, especially years 9 & 10.

Hello everyone, my name is Shaz51 

I finished school after grade 10 

I started baby sitting at 16 

Became a childcare provider in my own home at 18 and looked after babies from 5 weeks to teenagers aged 14 for 30 years 

In those 30 years I also became a preschool teacher`s aid  

over the 30 years I have had continuing studying, completing courses, receiving certifications 

@tyme , @Snowie , @purplesneakers , @Zoe7 

Wow @Shaz51 

Another thing I never knew about you, becoming a childcare provider.

I hope your day is going well.

totally loved it @Snowie 

funny now as the children I looked after are having children of their own 

and when they see me, I get a hug 

social media is great as i can still be friends with the children and their parents and keep in touch xx

Hey all @tyme @Snowie @Shaz51 @purplesneakers and others who may join us soon 👋🌞

I came to teaching later than most after working in a few different areas first - namely crisis support, child protection and research. For me, teaching became a nice mix of all those areas and it has been a job I have loved now for over 20 years.

I started co-ordinating a College and their VET program whilst also teaching every subject from English and Maths to Life Skills. I then moved to a high school working with the most disengaged kids in an alternative program whilst teaching English and Social Science across all grades.

After doing some relief work at a primary school, I changed direction and stayed at the lower grades - where I have been for over 20 years. My preferred grades where around grade 3/4 but I have been working with the younger kids (grades 1 and 2) since returned to work after I had a couple of really tough years away dealing with illness and my mental health. 

I have also had a few years teaching Art - which is my passion - but I also really love the classroom teaching ...and we do A LOT of art 😀🎨🖼️

There are so many challenges and barriers we face in our work with kids but the rewards certainly cancel them out. As educators - whether it be in front of a class or helping the little ones negotiate every day - we all have a role to play in providing a safe and happy environment for them to thrive ...and that is the biggest reward.

It certainly makes you feel old @Shaz51!!

I have ex students having children too. Social media is good to keep in contact with them.

@Zoe7 you certainly have had a long career with everything you have done. 

Sure does make me feel old @Snowie , turning  60 this year 😁

Hi @Shaz51 @Snowie @Zoe7 @tyme ,

Thank you for the invite. This is awesome!

It's great to be able to talk all things education. We often just don't have enough time.

I've been in education for many years now. It's not for the money - believe me!

I've worked the private sector too but the kids were just too 'good' so I didn't last there. The business model was clearly the focus. So much so, that people climbed on top of others to get to the top. I didn't lke that.

From then, I always promised myself that I'd work in the state system so that I could help those who were most disadvantaged. It hasn't been the easiest, but it's been the most rewarding. I come home each day knowing I've made a difference to someone's life.

The most rewarding is when I teach high school students who I also taught when they first started school.

Two years ago, a family contacted me and told me their son finished year 12 and is going to uni. They were so grateful for the foundations taught to their son when he was only 3 years old. He's grown into a lovely young man now. 

This reminds me why I want to teach.

Yes @Shaz51 - the children I looked after now have children of their own! I'm going to see one of them tonight actually.