‘Bang’ I was awakened by my alarm clock at 6.55. As I mentioned it takes me an hour and half to get ready. Well I do have to look good. Did you know fifty five percent of how you will be judged is based on what the other person sees! It is true. Describe my journey? It is an agonising 10 minute walk down my road. I am walking down the road, and waiting for two of my mates, but guess what? They are not there! I’m thinking I do not want to be late. Then I meet Michelle, who is also working at whitchurch (My placement) and from that day, she was my walking partner. I reached my placement, my old school; those big old gates that I will never forget. It was only 4 yrs ago, but seems like ages! I walked into the school, thinking this is going to be boring and so easy. Well it was not. I mean do not get me wrong I loved it, but who knew I would be so tired. I knew I would be missing Eastenders and msn! (I feel sorry for my TV, it misses me not being there coming straight back from school!) I strolled over to reception past the boards of all the kids work and so on and found out I was working in nursery. When I first got there, I was anxious, and really excited. My two friends, Kim and Laura were working with me, and I was working with 3 teachers, surprisingly one of the nursery teachers used to teach me. Great, embarrassing stories! The place was so simple but amazing. It felt like it did not change from since I was there. There was a playground, a shopping bit, a play area, a water place, an art area, a sand pit area and a quiet area. Who knew a little kid would need so much! The staff mentioned our responsibilities, and health and safety was taken quite seriously here. Shortly after asking a few questions, the kids arrived and we where introduced and then we were given our tasks. Got to admit, it was quite nerve racking. The staff kept looking at me, and it was just a bit intimidating; but I just started making conversation to the kids. The kids seemed really shy, and I thought it was going to be like this all day. Again, they are only kids and they were probably more nervous than I was. They soon came out and were hyperactive. Afternoon came, and the classes swapped. By this time I was already knackered. The afternoon class came, and was more hyperactive and talkative, I think because they just ate. All the kids kept calling me teacher; I did not really like that, because it felt very strange. At the end of the day, I was so exhausted, and my heels, became flat shoes! I had a lot to do, and was given rather a lot of reasonability, for example looking after group of kids, taking charge and so on. It felt bizarre that I was given a lot of reasonability because I have never been in charge so much and was not been given this much responsibility before. I never knew looking after kids was so tough work. But it felt good, it was something new and I was surprised with myself, as I think I managed everything rather well. I had such a good experience, that I could not wait for tomorrow. I was more excited to get home to my hugging bed, just waiting to open its arms for me to just jump into and sleep on it. Werhey!
I have to admit I liked everyone there. Although there was one nursery teacher who kept telling me to do this and that; but there has to be one. Otherwise, everything was great. It was unusual; the staff treated me like one of their colleagues, Especially Miss Bealle. She was an ex-teacher of mine. She would always tell me embarrassing stories about myself and yes they were embarrassing! She gave me heaps of responsibility and it was nice to know she thought I could handle it. Although she seemed cheerful, the teachers there were stressed. I remembered all my nursery teachers singing joyful tunes and being blissful. When I saw them at work, they were running around, and were under noticeably amount of stress! I hated bearing in mind they were like this. I saw a new side fortunately, when they had their break, and seemed to relax, they seemed ‘normal’ again, which was pleasing to see. Although the nursery teachers were quite stressed, I found an inspiration Ms Bealle, she was always on top, and I could see she loved her job. It made my job easier and more enjoyable. I defiantly built a positive relationship with her, and especially because I had known her for a long time.
Nursery was out on a school trip, so I was allowed to work with other years. Reception was so adorable. In nursery they barely could not talk, and cried about everything. In reception they constructed and wrote sentences and they did not cry ‘as much’. Talking about relationships and embarrassing moments, a boy fell in love with me! Talk bout love at first site! Bless, it was cute. There were oodles of kids that I loved but I have to confess I did have favourites, the year two’s. They were the best! When talking to the kids I had to be firm with them, but not too strict. With the colleagues I had to act more mature but I was still myself. When working I actually realised that building relationships with colleagues was vital. (To make sure you are not sitting alone in a dark corner drinking by yourself,) It makes the job more fun, and you can share tips on teaching. Well aren’t they lucky! I have always wanted a career with kids. Working here has defiantly made that a future decision! I am actually considering being a teacher. It seems fantastic. I defiantly do not want to work in a shop, or do hair dressing or anything like that. So I am glad that I could have two weeks to experience this. I definitely developed skills; I definitely had to be patient. Teachers need patience, my friend worked here and she was really shouting at the kids, I hated it! One might say you have to be tactful. You defiantly need to have a loud voice and talk for a long time (no problems in that!) and you need a sense of humour (as you can see in my essay, I need working on that). I really surprised myself during these two weeks, the worst thing was I doubted myself so much, I did not think I would be able to handle this, but I did. I was so happy!
I loved it so much there! I am not egotistical (cough) but I had all the kids follow me around, and when they could not play with me, they cried! It was cute, but have a kid cry on me constantly because they did not get any attention because 45 other kids are grabbing on all the fat on my legs already, was bit annoying. But I could not be angry with them, and I definitely could not say no to them. The little pushover I am, I ended up playing ‘it’ and all these games but the best thing is to see the kids smile, it priceless. When I left I was invited to a birthday party and tons of kids cried. I actually mean cry. I was so upset to leave. I was asked to do babysitting jobs. The kids were the best, I could not have asked for a better two weeks. I caught up with ex teachers who I have not seen for about 10 years, and ex middle school teachers. I learnt new skills and got closer to people from our school, which I was working with. It defiantly has confirmed my future, as I am now considering being an early years teacher because there easier to control or defiantly doing something with children. I defiantly have to say my initial expectations of work experience, were very different to how it turned out. It was not boring at all, and I had lots to do. I do not think it has changed me as a person. I have to admit, it has changed my attitudes towards teachers. I did not know how much work they have, and how much they have to put up with. I defiantly loved work experience and can not wait to get into the big bad world. The only question is are they ready for me ;)!
