“Start as you mean to go on”… This is a great expression, but can be a little frustrating. As an excellent procrastinator, I can find this a terrifying prospect because starting is often the hardest part! It’s also so much easier said than done, especially when circumstances throw banana skins in our paths (2020 anyone?!).…
Read MoreSpecialist or generalist: which is better?
In the 15 years since I qualified as a teacher, people have often asked me what I teach. My stock response has been, “children.” Anyone who works in primary education knows that you have to be proficient in pretty much all areas of the curriculum insofar as an 11-year-old would notice (trust me; they see…
Read MoreGuilty feelings
My excellent friend and colleague Joanna (see her fabulous work) once reminded me that I can do anything, not everything. I’m struggling to fit in my running training at the moment. I’m doing the bits I consider hard (speed work, hills etc.), but there’s been no sensible time to do my long runs for the…
Read MoreTake some time
Fresh from the Southampton Education School Health and Wellbeing Conference, I’m ready for a rest. It was a fantastic day with some switched-on and enthusiastic trainees. Experienced teachers need to model saying ‘No’ and taking control of workload and unreasonable demands, or we will lose these excellent people. Take a break; sleep well; be ready…
Read MoreTime for something completely different
Well, sort of. I’m heading to the University of Southampton, for their annual Health and Wellbeing conference for teachers and trainee teachers. I teach all the time, be it runners, children or education professionals, but this just feels a bit different. It will be the first time I’ve presented my own work to fellow teachers…
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