Sunday, 14 September 2008

my first day at work

My first day at college started well as I was shadowing a class. I couldn't find my old work bag so carried everything around in a canvas shopper. That's just not very cool, is it? The girls in the class are aged between 15 and 19 with one older one at 23. There are a few confident chatterboxes and the rest are quiet, shy, lacking confidence. They go red when you ask them to talk and just haven't become comfortable in their own skin yet. I had forgotten what an agonisingly self-conscious time it is being a teenager. 
It got worse when without warning I was dumped with the class for the afternoon. I had just received the course materials and was left to get on with it. This was bad. It could set me off on the wrong foot with the class for the rest of the year. They were bound to see I didn't have a clue. All I could do was recap on the mornings work, get them to discuss things in groups and feedback and then I spent some time just getting to know them and hear about their reasons for doing the course and what they would like to do in the future. I confessed I hadn't prepared anything for them as I had not come in to teach them today. They were fine. The real test is Monday when I have to teach them two courses over the whole day. What have I got myself into? At least I am prepared this time.
At lunch I nipped out to see my kids who were coming out of gymnastics. It sounds daft but I was missing them as I love going to gymnastics with them.  They were so happy to see me I could have cried. Later, at home, my baby boy was not talking to me and wouldn't come into  my arms. He wasn't well and had been looked after all day by his Granny and now only wanted her. It was like a punishment for going back to work and dumping him. 
My new boss asked if I had enjoyed the day and getting out of the house. I was never stuck in the house in the first place. We were out doing things every day. There is such an assumption that mothers are desperate to throw off the shackles of domesticity. I used to be but lately I had really been enjoying being a stay-at-home mum. My main motive for going to work is to increase our income. Although, if it works out I will be happy to have a career for myself for the future.

6 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks for stopping by today! I look forward to reading about your teaching adventures in the future. It sounds so interesting.

I've spent some time this evening catching up on your older postings. You do realize you are living in my absolute favorite part of the world, don't you? Such a beautiful place to me. We have some friends on Skye and are hoping to get back over soon. If only the abysmal dollar would cooperate!

You are welcome over at our place anytime!

Shakespeare's Housekeeper said...

Glad it went well!
Horrible though when the kids prefer another to you..You are so right- it does feel like a punishment for going to work..

Like your previous poster, i too, love Scotland.
Me and the writer got married on Iona.
Really need to get back up that end of the country soon...getting withdrawl symptoms ( i'm listening to the Red Hot Chilli Pipers a lot!

Shakespeare's Housekeeper.xx

tartetartan said...

I am sure it will get easier - on the teaching and the home front! It always takes a while to settle into a new routine. I am so jealous. I have just sent my CV off to a local college - am hoping to get a response soon.

Gone Back South said...

Wow. It's a big thing, going off to work. Hope things work out well!

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Good luck with work. You are very brave. We have our own procrastination pile of things here. We are trying to get an extension built for our B&B (not even at planning stage yet) and I might try my hand at teaching Latin. Well done you for getting out there - it can't be easy!

Housewifeinthehighlands said...

Thank you, all of you, for your words of encouragement.