September - a month to remember!

 It has been the most manic, fun, energetic and positive first month working as a TA. Already, I can see in myself the growth in confidence, determination and belief in trusting my own instincts. One thing's for certain and that's the minute that you find yourself falling into a routine, becoming comfortable and feeling sure of what you're doing, everything changes again, then again and again! Adaptability seems to be key for working in a school and that is something I have definitely learnt over the course of the last few weeks. 

I seem to face most days with a new challenge which in the moment can seem daunting, but now that it's something I almost expect, I'm usually quite quick to think on my feet and manage to find a way to get the job done (I think!) At the moment, I would say this is probably the most exciting part of the job because I get to test my limits and see how capable I am, which will hopefully add to my skillset for becoming the best teacher I can be in the future. 

I've had the opportunity to cover the class on a couple of occasions (gulp!) This was honestly one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever done and I think it will continue to be until I'm actually ready (and qualified), to teach a class of my own. That being said, in a lot of other ways it has been a valuable experience having a taste of what the future could look like for me. Although, when you're a TA and then play teacher for the day and have no TA to help you, you have to double-cast yourself! I've always found a strength of mine to be in small group work or one to one, so having to lead thirty-one five year old's was a very drastic level-up! In all situations; leading the class or a group, I've been able to work on something I knew I would need to - finding my voice! I think I've found it, I just need to become more confident with using it, but I'm sure that will come with time and experience. I hope so anyway! 

Aside from working with a large collective of five year-old's who are fuelled with random conversation, many a bumped head letter and constant trips to the toilet, I have been thoroughly enjoying my brief stints of one to one experience. Doing this routinely in my role as a play support worker at SNAAP, it's been so nice being able to transfer these skills into a school setting. Building a bond with someone new who doesn't have the ability to tell you what they want or when they want it can make emotional investment difficult for some and easy for others, but those small moments where compassion is shown, hugs are given or a goodbye symbol is given to you (following fits of laughter), make it all worthwhile! My first day on the job was working one to one and let's just say, I definitely did my step count for the day! Also, working with this particular child, I learnt that I needed many oranges. Any questions, please feel free to ask later!

I guess I should end this by saying that September truly has been a month to remember. There's only three weeks to go until the end of term one. Let's go!

Dotty

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