Week 1 of Summer Institute

I spent very little time packing for Summer Institute. Everything I thought would be remotely useful went into my suitcase. I should have realised that this would be a very BAD IDEA. However, I stuck to my guns and proceeded to just pack my whole life.

After a very hot and sweaty hour drive to Sheffield, I said goodbye to my boyfriend and proceeded to struggle into Sheffield Hallam with my enormous suitcase (just to put it into context- the other day a taxi driver asked if I had a dead body in there). I was extremely nervous, and just a little scared. After meeting a few of my cohort we were given a quick tour of the university building and escorted onto the coach to our accommodation. 

Being in student halls was new for me as I’d never lived away from home whilst doing my degree. As I sat in my room in the empty flat, eagerly awaiting the arrival of ANYONE, I began to wonder what the hell I’d let myself in for.  When they did start to arrive I felt rather like a new Big Brother housemate. Everyone was talking fast, loud, and a lot. I hardly knew what to do with myself.

After a few short hours, we were ushered off to the Hilton in the city centre for a BBQ, which was lovely even though I was almost too nervous to eat. Everyone quickly slipped into the introductory routine of: name, subject, school which, looking back seemed almost pointless. I don’t think I remembered anything anyone said to me on that first evening.

Week one of Summer Institute was a total blur. Although it was only two weeks ago (and somewhat like everyone’s name, subject, school) I remember very little! Day one was excruciatingly long, and having being a ‘lazy student’ for so long, the inability to sleep and 5:45 am wake up did me no favours! By the end of the day all I could muster was, ‘Abbey. ICT. Bradford’.

The lectures that followed for the next 2 days were filled with words such as: pedagogy, lesson objectives, planning, SEAL, EAL, SEN, SLT, G&T, WA1, REFLECTION, journal and blah blah blah... I felt entirely out of my own depth. In fact, by the end of Tuesday I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown.

And then came Wednesday...

You will be glad to hear that Wednesday (and Friday for that matter) was the highlight of my week. We were placed into our ‘subject studies’ groups and luckily for The IT Crowd there was a very cosy 7 bodies: contributing to a much more relaxed and comfortable environment than the huge professional studies and leading learning groups. I felt much more at ease and gladly voiced my opinions, thoughts and feelings- unlike the other groups where I am yet to volunteer an answer (shhhhhhh)! 

Our group are all very down to earth and lovely, and our subject tutor is an absolute genius. He managed to put everything into perspective and suddenly I found the whole experience slightly less daunting.

On Friday, another successful subject studies day ensued and I left Sheffield for home feeling (almost) positive about the whole experience.

Before Teach First

My blog title is a phrase that I’m sure every single ICT teacher whispers (or screeches!) in their sleep. Personally, I haven’t had chance to utter these words to class of 30 rowdy, mouse-clicking, keyboard-bashing, music-listening teenagers. Yet I fear the day is looming ever closer which, quite frankly, impregnates me with fear. Don’t get me wrong, I’m much more comfortable standing in front of a class of excitable teens than a room of glaring peers, but the prospect of ‘doing it alone’ for the very first time and knowing that the majority of my teaching career rests on that very first hour is absolutely petrifying.

I decided to begin this blog as a means of tracking my progression and developing as a reflective, trainee teacher. After the idea had been thrown around by several colleagues, I have decided to give it a go. I am making no promises as to the length of this operation as I’m sure, come September, I will be almost completely absorbed by lesson planning, amongst other woes. I do not intend that this blog will be the most articulate or creative outlet of personal experiences: I am an ICT teacher after all! All I hope is that it presents a blunt, no nonsense and straight-forward account of my experiences as a trainee, and beyond.

My teaching journey began in October 2010 as an eager 3^rd year Criminal Justice and Law Student. After having a chat with a delightful Teach First ambassador and graduate recruiter at the university careers fair, I decided to further research the cause. Teaching had always been an option for me, yet Teach First presented a unique opportunity. The idea of being thrust into the classroom after a mere six week training period was absolutely terrifying but the support and opportunities presented by the charity seemed to far outweigh the fright. 

A few days after sending off my application, I was invited to London for the assessment centre. The day was mostly a blur. The only significant thought I remember having was, ‘All these candidates with their Oxbridge education, posh accents and worldly experience.  I do not have a chance in hell.’ Note: I was educated at a ‘poly’, have quite a strong Yorkshire accent and little worldly experience. You see my point. Despite having my purse stolen on the tube, I left London with a slight feeling of optimism. I knew I’d done my best and maybe- just maybe- my Northern twang would set me apart from some of the others. 

At around 3pm the next day, I’d almost lost all hope. After reading several forums, I had a good idea that most candidates who had been provisionally accepted onto the programme received a phone call the day after. I think I received the call at around 3:30, and on receiving the news- I burst into tears.  I couldn’t believe my luck. Me... A teacher?

In the following months I completed countless numbers of forms in preparation for my Teach First journey, as well attending TF socials, ‘School Orientation Experiences’, studying for my degree finals, holding up a part-time job and maintaining a social life. It was tricky but I made it through. 

Summer Institute, here I am.