Welcome to my second post from Radelaide and second post of 2016...2016, shit. Time flies!
I just had to scan over my last post to remember where I need to start on this one!
Luckily for M, the place he picked, satisfied (except for the absence of a dishwasher). We have now been living in this home for a little over 3 months and yes, there are still bits and pieces not really where they should be (records, paintings, other bits and bobs), but we have settled in nicely.
We've got great neighbours, we are growing tomatoes, shallots and capsicum and we live 3 kms from Adelaide city centre. Top spot.
The Adelaide Fringe has been and was excellent fun, we saw Spiderbait and drank beer without a care, and we made it to one night of WOMADelaide. Fun costs a fortune.
While all that good stuff was going on...I was getting out there and personally handing in my CV, teaching registration and the all important 'Authority to Teach' letter to a few schools. 30 schools. But all up I made contact with 40 schools. Yes, 40 schools. All public, of course.
I went as far as Salisbury, up to Mount Baker and down south to Christies Beach.
Who would not want to employ me? Seriously.
Unfortunately, just like most industries, it's not what you know but who you know, and I know no one. Yup. Cue tears.
With this in mind, it was understandable that it took a while until I got my first TRT (temporary relief teacher) day. Someone took a chance on someone new - me!
Then another week I got a call from a different school.
Then I also did a volunteer day at a disability unit.
Shortly after the DU called me in for TRT.
And then I volunteered at a special education centre, and, well, a student kind of attacked me in what would be otherwise seen at this site as a 'normal' part of a teacher's day...but unfortunately I could not confidently say that I would be able to take a class there as a TRT. It was a true eye opener and I am glad I gave it a go. I have a new found ginormous respect for the teachers and staff working in these schools. AMAZING. I believe they get paid a little extra, but they should be paid a lot extra.
So these dribs and drabs of teaching were coming my way plus I was trying to volunteer at a few places (usually with no response). I had good rapport with 2 schools. Plus I was confident I might get more work at the school with the DU, and I was called, but I had already been booked!
I also did a day though the recruitment agency at a private school (Catholic). That was...hmmm okay. "Miss, can we work on our Religious Studies assignment?"
Me, in my head, "Fuck, please don't ask me for help."
"Miss, I am having trouble writing my response."
Easy?! No. No, no, no.
A 'response' in a religious context is, like, heaps different than a usual response. I had to google it.
One term has now ended and I worked a total of 10 days. 10 fucking days, over 11 weeks. SO SAD.
I also applied for 6 jobs with the department. 3 were curriculum support positions, and the other 3 were teaching positions. I got 5 rejections, but got shortlisted for one of the teaching positions...but didn't get it. Bummer.
I got a principal in trouble. I emailed her about 2 positions (curriculum support), asking a couple of questions. In her reply, she did not address any of my questions...instead she simply wrote:
...to be very honest with you we currently have an SSO who is in the position and the advertising of it is a formality only - it is highly likely she will be a front runner.
I made an official complaint. I did this because I thought, "Fuck. So is this the norm for all the advertised positions? What hope do I have?!" and I also thought what a stupid woman to disclose that - even though I KNOW it goes on...don't fucking tell me! And don't put it in fucking writing. This was not a time to be honest and I love honestly but wrong time my dear. Sorry, but what a moron.
She ended up removing herself from the panel. Like that would matter! So the assistant principal took her place. Big whoop.
I got a call from the Ethical Conduct Unit. Meh. It's just strange that when I have mentioned this experience to other TRTs or teachers, their reaction does not show the same level of disgust or disappointment that I had. Is it me? Am I too naive to assume that educators have the same high work ethic as I do?
ANYWAY. Rant over.
The GREAT news is...I've got 3 weeks work.
I received a call on the last day of term asking about my photography and design experience. Yeah man, I have experience in both! Sure, call my referee. Hello? You're getting a bargain you say? Um, yeah you are.
When the teacher I am replacing called me, I realised that it is not an ART position, but Design and Technology. This is fine. It leaves me a little nervous, but all the work is clearly set out and I'll be teaching 10, 11 and 12. How good! SO excited. VERY nervous. I might even make friends...ahh I miss my friends. Friends, I miss you.
Mad Sascha...I have had unofficial word (today) that Tysabri is working for me and I am to continue forward with this form of medication. Let's just hope I stay JC Virus negative, then I can continue on the infusions without thinking too much about the deadly PML rare brain thingy. Yucky.
I suppose this would have been a shorter post if I had friends to talk to about my work journey! At least it ended on a high, right?
