End of Year Jobs

The year has flown -I know more about the job than when I started but still have so much more to learn.  I think there is a saying ' the more you learn the more you realise you don't know'.  Bit of a paradox really.

Two good courses which have helped over the last two terms - Gail Loane writing and Sheena Cameron comprehension strategies - also new book by Alison Davis - Comprehension Strategies for primary school years

Our new Practice Manual is still on a promise to arrive before the beginning of 2012 Term 1.

Jobs to complete:

•  End of Year data - apparently the forms are a lot easier to complete than in previous years. I have made a start - just have my current students to wrap up and then complete time in programme section
• End of term summary data for current students - data collected - written reports to be completed and dates set aside for teacher meetings
• Data for last Intake & Review meeting 
• Regional meeting & final committee meeting for 2012 

Last day of school 16 th December - First time in 10 years I haven't had a class to wrap the year up with!

Summary of the year

The year has been full of challenges, accomplishments and learning.  To come out of the classroom and into an itinerant role is a learning curve on its own.  I was ready for a new challenge and because our cluster operates under the direct teaching approach I still felt close to the coal face - albeit  in a one-to-one or small group capacity.
I have learnt to move in and out of schools making good contacts with SENCo's and classroom teachers or other key people.  It has been an opportunity to work in rural schools - something I had not done in the past and in full primary's which has been interesting.
My appreciation for levels of communication  in terms of reporting data, collaborating on interventions and providing useful information or resources to teachers has improved throughout the year.
As you would expect, some teacher's embrace the chance to collaborate and support the intervention while others see it as another child out of their 'hair'.  I would have to say the majority of teachers I have worked with are looking to confirm, clarify or want support and fresh ideas for working with their children.

I have also been pleasantly surprised with the parent/caregiver response to the interventions and most of these stakeholders have also supported their child's learning in positive ways.