So, I've read all of the books, the manuals, the websites and the back of my crisp packet (268 times, by the way. No-one would speak to me at lunchtimes on some placements.) and now I'm ready? Are you joking?
Actually, I'd like to think that I was one of the lucky ones. I failed (yup - the "f" word) my final placement in BEd4 and had to resit it. This meant that I graduated in December 2008, as opposed to all of my friends who escaped teacher training in the June of the same year. Re-sitting my placement also meant that I had to get a job before I began my probationary period. I found out that I would be able to do some supply work up until the summer.
I was fortunate enough to have work for all but 3 days up until the holidays. I learned so much during this time, especially about the kind of teacher that I wanted to become, what I was good at, what I was bad at and how I could become more professional. I therefore believe that failing my final placement was, in many ways, useful in the end, although I wouldn't recommend it to students as it was very stressful at the time! However, on a personal level I feel that I needed to find out more about myself before I began my career proper and supply work gave me ample opportunity to do this.
I was left to my own devices in most schools - the various SMTs assuming that I'd been on the supply list for years. Other schools mollycoddled me - the skinny, lanky, youngster who appeared on their doorstep looking more pathetic and scared than a near-drowned labradoodle. I preferred being left alone to be honest. It felt good to not have someone looking over your shoulder all of the time and I discovered that, in many cases, instinct took over. I had to think on my feet when there was little or no coherent planning in place in some schools. They don't teach you that in Uni. If they did, then I must have been off that day...
The school that I will be spending the year in is in a deprived area of Glasgow. I know the kids, the families, the area and the school well as I did some supply work there. I am aware of the challenges that await me, but the thing about teaching is that something will always surprise you. No two days are the same. I don't think I would have chosen this profession if that wasn't the case. So will I be mollycoddled as one of the wee probationers, or will I be seen as someone who knows his way around and can get on with it? I don't know what I want...but look forward to finding out!
Since leaving Uni, I've worked in seven different schools and have had to learn around 500 names of kids and staff. Tomorrow should be a doddle for me, I've done it all before...but I'm still nervous...
Good luck everyone. I hope to continue writing my blog throughout the year...as long as the kids don't slaughter me or something...
V.