#TeachingHero

The newest #TeachingHero is @alarter; another generous soul with lots of advice for you! If you'd like to take part, just like he has, drop me a message!

What motivates you to work hard?
I'm motivated by genuinely having a job that can make you laugh and cry at equal measure. I like being in a rewarding job and have wanted to be a teacher since I was 8 years old. For me, when children leave my class, I want them to know I'm always there for them even though they've gone to a new teacher. A few years back, a child was going through a difficult time and despite teaching him two years previously, he wanted me to be his 'go-to' person to talk. Sometimes we underestimate as teachers, how much we're needed and that motivates me heaps!

Where do you go for personal and professional support or advice?
I'm in a very fortunate position to go to different people whenever I need personal or professional advice. My Partner is always there to talk to and he's an incredible listener. If it is more professional, I bounce off my nearest and dearest at school. Sometimes my TA or fellow teachers who know exactly what I'm going through. Often, my DHT is someone who always knows exactly how to pick me up from the floor and make me look at the positives. The worst bit of the profession is always wanting to better myself because it's tiring trying to keep up. This is my own fault as I'm my own worst critic! However, the never ending paperwork, jumping through hoops and constant government changes is what is the worst thing about teaching. I manage it by taking each day as it comes and writing copious amounts of lists!

What strategies do you use to manage workload and protect your well being?
Little things help to manage workload and it all starts with a list which I try to prioritise jobs. 

Having things to look forward to like date nights, evenings away, family time are key to helping work load. I always just like to 'get it done' so that I haven't got to worry about it! My school are generally pretty good with well being from reducing amount of nights engaged with PTA events, doing assemblies, never having to hand in planning or anything like that! We get free health checks, hot drinks supplied and *most of the time* notice when things are happening on a planner.

What advice would you give anyone who felt like giving up?
I feel like there are moments through the year that everyone has some kind of low point. Talking about it with other people definitely helps. It's so important to recognise when things are getting a little out of control and keeping it in doesn't benefit anyone. To battle negativity, I think about all the positives.

Sum up our profession in 5 words.
Triumph in the face of adversity (Ok...so that's 6 words but it always sticks in my head and I love that expression because no matter happens, things always have a way of working themselves out!)