No lessons

This week I only have two lessons. The rest of the time will be spent on invidiual talks with the students. I'm looking forwards to it, it's an opportunity to hear how they see things, what they as individual need and what they feel they need me to help them with. In short, it's a chance for me to find out how I can be a better teacher for them.

Good times!

Heading home from the second meeting with 'my class'. It's very interesting to be a student, I notice things I normally just walk by. I find myself being very critical, both towards myself as teacher and towards my teachers. Things like structure and correct information matter. It makes a huge difference to know ahead what'll happen, and to be able to trust that what's been said really is what goes.

I also find that it makes a huge difference to have a teacher who makes himself or herself available to the students, and one who's only there in the classroom but very absebt at other times.

I think these reflections will help make me a better teacher. I hope so, at least. What is the most important difference between a good teacher and a mediochre one?

Proud teacher

A long day filled with presentations. I'm still in school, have redecorated the classroom where we'll move in on Monday morning, and I'm very tired but oh so proud.

My students this year is so inventive, so creative and so generous towards each other.

Now, homewards bound, just wanted to brag a little first.

Booked book

I have pre-ordered it, I hope it arrives soon. I wish I could ask to have it signed, but Chicago is just too far away.

But who knows, one day perhaps?

Old students

Our students go out into the big wild world and do amazing things, become amazing people and every now and then I come across them again. As I mentioned last week I've spent a few days at a university in a different part of the country. Today one of my fellow students posted this to say 'thank you and see you again in October' and to my suprise I find an old Hvilan student in the video and once again I'm proud to be able to show the world the musical talent of our students:

Student again

So, it's time to go back to school. This year I'm going to study at a teachers' academy again, this time one located +450 km from home.

And now, the night before my uncharmingly early morning train leaves I wonder if this was such a wise move?

*tilt*

The first two weeks of school. Dear darling students, do you feel any hint of the utter chaos going on behind the curtains?

This year is worse than ever for me, I've been working almost non stop for two weeks now, and there's one more to go before everybody's settled in. To a different part of the country I'll go during next week too, oh such a great idea! Silly university, couldn't you have waited one more week? I will need to sit there and look as if I'm not only awake, but am also paying attention. Idealy I would actuall be paying attention too, but I fear my mind will stay with my own students.

This week an extra Sunday would be so welcome!

Missing

I have told you before about how great a teacher Robert Archambeau is, haven't I? He gives us a tiny sample of his enthusiasm and huge knowledge in his his blog post Intention & Accident, Authenticity & Artifice and I thank him for this boost of inspiration only a few days before the students arrive and return to Hvilan.