It's nice to see my blog is slowly gaining in popularity. I'd appreciate it, if those who read this would share it with others. But if I'm honestly, I just enjoy spouting off some spiel about whatever takes my fancy within the sphere of Education.
Before I start, my apologies...I promised to blog twice last week. But School being School, something at the last minute came up, which needed taking care of. But I'll try to blog later in the week this time...Last week of term and all that, might be as late as the Sunday.
As you can see the title is called "The Wider Remit." What does that mean? Well to me, this discusses the role teachers play as Pastoral tutors.
Of course, when your hired as a teacher. You're simply not hired to teach your subject, or in my case Subjects! You are usally 90% of the time, attached to a Tutor Group. To play a secondary role as Pastoral mentor or Form tutor to 25-30 kids. This involves a lot more then merely spending 30 minutes a day with them, taking the Register and handing out notices about Room Chances, Football club and of course....Staying off the grass at breaktime.
Your role to this group of kids is huge! Firstly, and obviously you've got them for 5 years and even possibly 7 if they reach the Sixth Form. Whether you like it or not, you are a Role Model to them now. Not quite a Pseudo-Parent. After their immediate family, its you they probably spend the most time with in a week. I worked it out to 2 and half hours a week you spend with them. So basically 10 hours a month...You're getting close to the 100 hours mark per school year.
In my opinion the role you play as a Group Tutor, is MORE important that right i'll say it again MORE IMPORTANT then you're role as a Subject teacher. I'd be wary that if you wish to enter the Profession if you want to play no role in being a Pastoral mentor to children.
So sadly, you have to be flawless during your time in school and out in the wider area. In the local pub by the school you can see a real mix of children with or without parents whether they are having food there or not. You'd be surprised how quickly you become the topic of conversation if you walk past them on your way to the bar. A few friends from the staffroom who like a smoke, suddenly don't feel the need to light up when out, if someone in their form or class is in the area. It's that idea of living up to your role that you have on the children's life.
Think about it now...How many of you can name your favourite and least favourite teacher at school? I bet it comes to you like *snaps fingers* that! For me, it's Ms. Watkiss (My College History Teacher) and Miss Parry (Home Economics and ICT) respectively. In fact, in the comment box below tell me who your favourite and least favourite teachers were at school.
There you go, The Wider Remit! You'd never think it but there's a lot to this teaching malarky! Yeah I know, I said Malarky! In fact done it twice now. Right I'll wrap it up there!
In case, I don't blog later in the week. I'd like to take this moment to wish you a happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year!
Peter
x
No comments:
Post a Comment