A lasting impression...

Image credit: Ross Macdonald 2023  Location: Loch Eck, Argyll  Quote: Maya Angelou

I can't take credit for the following written piece (I'm not sure of the source), but I love the sentiment:

"After a long day at work, I was walking to my car when a row of Canadian Maple trees caught my eye. Their leaves glowed with a vivid, almost neon red against the cool autumn air. The sight was breathtaking. A final flourish of beauty before the leaves began their slow descent to the ground. Weeks later, the same leaves lay faded and broken underfoot, barely recognisable. And yet, what remained was just as striking: delicate impressions etched into the pavement, quiet reminders of a former brilliance.

This description makes me think of the people in our lives who leave a lasting impression, not only in the prime of their lives (like gorgeous maple trees), but also in their quiet acts of love, and beyond their presence among us."

I often think about the many volunteers who gave their time to teach me when I attended free extra-curricular activities as a child. My parents never wanted to spend money on these activities, so they sought out ones that had minimal or no fees: PCYC T-ball, gymnastics and Ju-Jitsu; Brownies, Guides & Venturers; Little Athletics, basketball, tap dancing (this did cost something), Shopfront Theatre, youth group... there are probably a few I have missed! Needless to say, I was a busy child, barely at home, and I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful for the many adults who gave up their time to teach, nurture and guide me. People who weren't even my own parents, who weren't remunerated, but gave a lot to me and others, just for the sake of giving back. It seems as though this type of altruism has faded in modern society, or at least it has where I live.

I write this post in memory of May (Ballamara) Jones, who served the Girl Guide movement with dedication, sincerity and wisdom. She was strict and never let me off the hook! (lol) She had such high expectations of me. She used to tell me that my 'badge preparation' impressed her. At times, she would fail me for sections I had completed in a half-baked fashion. She gave so much of herself and I will always remember her effort. I can't recall how often I went to her house for badge assessments! She passed away during a difficult time in my life, and I had not visited during her convalescence. For that, I am deeply sorry. - Mel

Building the foundations...

 

I agree with these observations by Brian Tolentino (a gifted educator btw - I strongly recommend checking out his website), but I feel powerless in my school-based role to change the current situation. While I can instigate change in some areas, overall, it requires a united effort across an entire staff to bring about tangible change. Fortunately, I run my own small business and I can conduct my tutoring sessions in the way I know works.

Whenever possible, my sessions involve:

• Short handwriting warm-ups (letter formation, spacing, pencil control);

• Stopping to review a spelling misunderstanding, highlighting patterns;

• Modelling editing aloud, showing how to spot punctuation errors;

• Pausing to highlight particular words or sentences during writing tasks;

• Constantly questioning to activate engagement and idea-sharing;

• Reiterating the purpose, meaning and structure of written texts;

• Reading aloud and rereading to solidify language patterns and fluency.

After a while, momentum really starts to kick in. I also encourage students to make links between tutoring sessions and how they function in the classroom. These micro-tasks keep the tutoring highly interactive and instructive while directly building the foundational habits needed for school success. - Mel

Encouraging feedback...

It's quite a rare occurrence, but every now and again a parent will take the time to send me a simple message of thanks for my tutoring work. It makes it seem worthwhile when I know I'm making a small difference in one student's life. I have had students where the parents are very directive of me. It's very much a business transaction in their eyes. In those situations, I usually start to realise that it will be hard to make progress with their child. The tutor does need some agency. I am sometimes relieved when these clients discontinue tutoring. They often don't give a reason, but I suspect it's usually financial - they're very much about getting immediate results for their investment. You put in so much effort to help their son or daughter (sometimes hours and hours beyond what you're remunerated for), and their child never meets their unrealistic expectations. It's tough to witness.

A while ago now, I received the lovely message above from a grateful mother. One time, this parent wanted me to bill her for three hours rather than the two worked due to my preparation time, etc. (such decency is rare indeed). Of course, I didn't accept. If I was paid for every extra hour I have dedicated to teaching over the past 30 years, I would be a very wealthy woman indeed! - Mel

Teachers deserve to be valued...

 

I read quite a few anonymous posts on Facebook groups and so many teachers are dissatisfied with their jobs. It's easy to understand the frustration they feel. Many teachers are very altruistic. They're the kind of people who go above and beyond. On the whole, they are very giving people, generous with their time, knowledge and skills. There is a lot of unpaid work in teaching that the general public doesn't grasp. There is no real hourly rate even though seven or so hours per day are recorded on our payslips. I won't even bother outlining the additional tasks that go on in one's personal life, all centred around teaching. I prefer not to dwell on all the hours I've spent since 1993 when I first started studying to be a teacher. It's a rewarding profession overall and the holidays are a welcome period of respite. 

What's most disconcerting is the treatment that teachers face from some leaders, colleagues, parents and students. I learnt long ago that teaching is not as secure as some people think. Workplaces can be fickle, and full of politics, nepotism and cronyism. While not everyone is in a position to take charge of their own destiny, I encourage all unhappy teachers to make the sacrifices needed to keep teaching. Move if you need to; complete further study if you have to; find teaching roles that are edifying and enjoyable. Some teachers say, "Well someone has to do it. Someone needs to help those kids who are challenging and disrespectful." That's true, but it's not for everyone. Although teachers are social workers in many ways, they often did not enter the profession thinking that would be their main role. University certainly doesn't communicate that message often. 

Teaching is all about the love of learning - teaching students how to grow, think and be decent people. A disconnect is starting to emerge of late - teachers' goals are not aligning with families' worldviews. I'm sure this has always been the case to some extent, but more than ever teachers are finding it harder to actually teach. If this relates to you, I encourage you to seek positions that make going to work manageable. Life is too short to feel unappreciated and mistreated. Please don't allow people to bring you down when you're actually so talented, devoted and hard-working. - Mel

What are they doing now?

I've been tutoring students for quite a few years now and I still really enjoy it. Tutoring opportunities simply didn't exist in the Blue Mountains or I would have started my small business decades ago. The city of Sydney has a diverse range of parents, with different motivations for providing their children with additional academic support. Some are seeking a mentor for their child. Others are trying to boost their child's literacy and numeracy levels to improve school engagement. Still others are eager for their child build confidence and experience success at school.

I sometimes wonder what the students I have tutored are doing now. Some of my long-term clients have graduated from high school and are completing tertiary studies. From time to time, I've received lovely words of thanks, and even a bouquet of flowers from one student. After finishing his HSC, he was looking into entering a trade and beginning an apprenticeship. This is an extract from the reference I wrote him:

"[Name] is honest and sincere in his interactions with others. His good humour and easy-going personality supports his capacity to work effectively within a team. He is a mature individual with positive aspirations for his future. In the workplace, he will further develop the skills of self-initiative, problem-solving and resourcefulness. He is supported by a loving family, from whom he has developed a strong work ethic. I recommend [name] as a responsible young man who will pursue his further education and employment with determination.

Whatever my former students are doing now, I certainly hope they are happy and thriving. - Mel

What is happiness?

When we were young, most of us had dreams (most if us still do). I always had simple, fairly realistic dreams. Most of my dreams were based on feeling freedom, happiness and escaping the anguish of my home life. Since many of these dreams were achieved when I left home, I possibly stopped dreaming... it doesn't really take much for me to feel happy. I think too many of us agonise about holding onto this precious life on earth, wanting to experience every kind of perfection that the world has to offer. There is nothing wrong with this but it can be a trap. I think a person's reality is very much defined by what they think about and do on a daily basis. Too many of us are obsessed with a self-pleasing reality. I believe in living in the moment and being conscious of my contribution and interactions. I am not overly into seeking some kind of ultimate goal as I find that small personal challenges just pop up every day. It's not healthy to put all of one's eggs in the same basket - there's just too much that is out of our control in this world. I think that people in Australia sometimes don’t realise just how fortunate their lives already are. The things that they nitpick about beggar belief. Life is too short to bemoan its shortcomings; instead, I view it as an opportunity to constantly grow and evolve. - Mel

A rare leader in education...

 

Every now and again, you meet a truly remarkable educator - someone with passion, wisdom and the skills to inspire. I find that these teachers are becoming increasingly rare, which saddens me. Jenny, your leadership is greatly missed. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. - Mel

Dear Melanie,

I hope you have a year where you feel challenged and given scope to forge your wonderful talents. The students benefit enormously from you because you know your subject so well and have the depth of intelligence and curiosity that makes students feel confident and trusting of you. I now view so much through the prism of what I'd like for my granddaughter and grandson, and my wish would be for them to have teachers like you. Treasure your career; you are so capable and have so much more to give.

Jenny xx

Photography

Many years ago, I was really into photography and I produced a whole range of photographic cards. It was certainly a different life for a few years. I used a humble digital camera, the quality of which is now outstripped by incredible phone cameras. I sold hundreds of these cards on my market stall to tourists from all over the world. Recently, a digital printing service reminded me that my uploads are still stored on their servers (and that I need to place an order in order to retain them!). I had quite forgotten about this company as I have not ordered any photographic prints for years. It was a walk down memory lane to peruse countless photos that I have on back-up drives, but which are easier to access online if need be. So I placed an order. Perhaps I will make these prints into Christmas cards or similar. - Mel

Practise empathy...

Recently, I revisited the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' so I could assist a Year 9 tutoring student. I had dipped into it to help students at school but I hadn't read it in its entirety since I was 15 years old. The language is so powerful, the lessons shared are indelible. I still believe it is a substantial literary text although some schools are no longer choosing to study it. Atticus Finch's words continue to ring true across all social, economic and historical contexts: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from [their] point of view - until you climb into [their] skin and walk around in it." - Mel

Using AI for writing tasks in the classroom

It's hard to imagine the long-term effects of the use of AI on students' writing development. Many argue that the composition of unique text is no longer a necessary requirement for most people. This is probably true in numerous professions, where communications, emails and other texts aren't highly specific in nature.

But what concerns me most as a teacher is the gradual inability of students to think for themselves. Using AI for text composition has the potential to extinguish novel ideas and discourage personal insights.

The process of writing requires students to synthesise ideas and make new connections. It is through this arduous and challenging process that deep understandings can develop. I like to think of writing as 'the construction of thought'. Concepts will never be fully understood by students who can't authentically work through them and assimilate them with existing knowledge. 

Therefore, in order to teach students the skill of articulating their own thoughts, we need to become more inventive as educators. We need to redesign writing tasks to ensure that students have ample opportunities to consider possibilities without the influence of AI-generated brainstorms. 

I believe students should engage in daily opportunities to record and explain their ideas. I prefer for this to be done collectively, recorded in books or on sheets of paper. This improves student creativity and encourages risk-taking (i.e. no idea is a bad idea - it's all part of the process). Furthermore, a focus on formative assessment of the writing process, which includes outlines and rough drafts, places less focus on the final task in determining grades.

Writing should never be about the regurgitation of other people’s ideas to prove understanding. It's a highly rigorous process that gives students the opportunity to create new ways of thinking and knowing. - Mel

MD Home Tutoring

It seems like an age ago, but I used to run a small craft business. I had a break from teaching to expand my creative side (quelled in childhood, it had been waiting to emerge for decades). Photography, digital imaging and graphic design were everyday tasks as I interacted with members of the public in every state and territory via my two online stores. I still like to explore my creative side when I make resources, write lesson plans or design worksheets. Recently, I spent some time improving my online presence for MD Home Tutoring. Love a customised word cloud! - Mel

Clarity through Writing

Occasionally, a student will ask me: "Why do I have to learn how to write a paragraph? Generative AI can do it for me." As an educator, I am always thinking about how I will reply to these and other similar questions. I often find that students are merely seeking some confirmation that I know why I am asking them to do certain tasks. Is it appropriate for a student to question a teacher's intentions? Perhaps not - as a student myself, I simply trusted the process. But we are living in a rapidly changing educational context, and I find I always need to be ready with a clearly stated response, such as, "Because in daily life, you need to be able to THINK. Paragraph writing is a reflection of your organised thoughts. I want to see that your thinking skills are developing." Students normally reply with a "fair enough" or "makes sense." It's up to us as educators to always be a step ahead, to be conscious of the tasks we're setting and to expect authentic engagement through creative instructional design. - Mel

Teaching bilingual students...

MD Home Tutoring offers personalised support to bilingual learners to strengthen language confidence across all areas. My sessions emphasise clear, accurate expression, both spoken and written. Grammar usage is always taught in meaningful, practical contexts. All students are encouraged to expand their vocabulary and develop greater fluency when communicating. My approach is patient and responsive to each student's unique linguistic background and learning goals. - Mel

Maths Tuition

Although I am a specialist teacher of the English language, Maths was actually my best subject in high school! Lately, I have gained so many students who need tuition in Maths. Oftentimes, they don't see the point of this subject and part of my role is to convince them that it is vital for the development of financial understandings, logical thinking, attention to detail and problem solving strategies (just to name a few!). - Mel

I do not fear being alone...

Recognising your significance...

Sometimes it can be difficult to see any significance in what you do. You work hard, try your best, give it your all. You try to better yourself, learn more, give more. You do it to share your skills, your understandings, your life lessons. Sometimes, however, your reach seems so limited and your efforts worthless. At this point, it becomes harder to see your purpose in this world. I'll always remember a priest who spoke at a Sydney youth festival: "A lot goes into a person." It made me reconsider what my parents wanted for me and some of the conscious choices they made.

Each one of us is unique, the product of a myriad of experiences, teachings and interactions. Each one of us has so much to share, but sometimes the opportunity to do so is lacking. I've worked hard in my life to learn new things, improve my knowledge, be the best teacher I can be. But, I have learnt that I can't please everyone in the way they might want. If they want a 'yes-man', then I'm definitely not who they're after. If they want someone who is happy with being undervalued and disrespected, I won't ultimately work out for them either.

I've spent a lot of time in my life trying to impress the wrong people. Only now have I come to recognise my worth. All those public holidays spent studying. The many all-nighters spent planning the perfect sequence of lessons as an RFF teacher. The intricate feedback comments that were barely read by students and parents. The hours of preparation put into planning lessons or tutoring sessions.

This time and effort has amounted to something. The product is a teacher who thinks critically, who has something of worth to share with her students. A person who has never been motivated by the pay cheque is a person who will truly shine as an educator. I have been very fortunate to receive fantastic feedback in recent years from parents whose children I tutor. For the first time my teaching is being witnessed in their homes, its merits evaluated. In schools, limits are set on what I am able to contribute, but outside of that context, the sky is the limit... 

- Mel