- How to stage a play without going gaga
- How to be a Drama teacher and survive ( 30 years after being a newbie)
- Advice to NQTs
- Do's and don'ts of drama teaching, play production, parents evenings, chorus managing, staffroom protocols, how to get the best out of the 'helpers' and etc.
- Advice to NQT's, newbies, young teachers everywhere:
July 2016:
Tomorrow I teach my last ever two lessons. Blimey Moses O'Riley,
who'd have thought I'd ever be here looking retirement bang in the
smackers.Seems like yesterday I was nobbut a wet behind the ears young sprog
teacher.
I have some advice for those new to the game:
1. Nod and smile and never say no to any new directives, then quietly continue as before. The new directives will soon become yesterday's news.
2. Always go to bed at 10.30 and never work on a Sunday, and leave school at 5pm ( latest) having done all you are going to do in the way of marking, planning and schtuff. This is because YOU are the number one resource and if you're tired you're no use to anybody. Least of all the kiddles.
3. Don't stand for it. Send out any cherubs that need sending out, smart ish.
4.Ticks and black marks. This is all you need in the way of discipline systems. If the kiddies ask 'what happens if we get a black mark'? Say 'You will be ostracised' or 'there will be reprisals'.
5. Always use 'long words' and make them learn them. eg 'reprehensible', 'ingrate', miscreant'. Aim for a new one every day. A plethora of 'em.
6. Teach them the sumo face and 'get amongst it, yeah?' Job done.
Today I got asked by a new prefect 'what do I do if they disrespect me?' and I replied 'Look at them in a really horrible way'.
Never say a thing if you can use a facial expression instead.
They can't quote you on that.
Above all:
we're never too old to learn new things, and we never stop learning until we stop.
In the words of one wee child in Shoeburyness on her Christmas card to me:
''Thanck yu fer lurning me Inglish''(sic).
This teaches us all we're not as great as we think.
I have some advice for those new to the game:
1. Nod and smile and never say no to any new directives, then quietly continue as before. The new directives will soon become yesterday's news.
2. Always go to bed at 10.30 and never work on a Sunday, and leave school at 5pm ( latest) having done all you are going to do in the way of marking, planning and schtuff. This is because YOU are the number one resource and if you're tired you're no use to anybody. Least of all the kiddles.
3. Don't stand for it. Send out any cherubs that need sending out, smart ish.
4.Ticks and black marks. This is all you need in the way of discipline systems. If the kiddies ask 'what happens if we get a black mark'? Say 'You will be ostracised' or 'there will be reprisals'.
5. Always use 'long words' and make them learn them. eg 'reprehensible', 'ingrate', miscreant'. Aim for a new one every day. A plethora of 'em.
6. Teach them the sumo face and 'get amongst it, yeah?' Job done.
Today I got asked by a new prefect 'what do I do if they disrespect me?' and I replied 'Look at them in a really horrible way'.
Never say a thing if you can use a facial expression instead.
They can't quote you on that.
Above all:
we're never too old to learn new things, and we never stop learning until we stop.
In the words of one wee child in Shoeburyness on her Christmas card to me:
''Thanck yu fer lurning me Inglish''(sic).
This teaches us all we're not as great as we think.
