Agencies: Tradewind Recruitment and Free Agency Location: Melbourne, Australia Public and Catholic Schools Alternative Learning Environments September 2016 - Present
Since arriving in Melbourne in September 2016, I have had the opportunity to be a Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) in many classrooms, focusing mainly in the South East area of Melbourne. These classrooms have been in public schools, Catholic schools and in alternative learning environments.
My time as a CRT has taught me how to be flexible and think on my feet. There are many times in which lesson plans are not left, or activities take less time than expected, so as a CRT I need to be adaptable to these situations. Once, I was in a classroom for the second day in a week, this time without plans. I had an understanding that the students learned about morals and being good citizens on Fridays, so I decided to talk about apologies and hurting other peoples feelings with the students. I had them write apology letters to someone they have previously hurt, and without prompting, two students wrote apology letters to me.
I have also been required to teach subjects I previously have not taught, such as religion. I enjoy having the students teach me in these situations, and believe it is beneficial for them to do so as well.
I have found my days in which I return to specific classrooms to be most beneficial, as I have already developed somewhat of a rapport with the students, and then tend to remember me as the teacher who calls "rubbers," "erasers." I also enjoy having a base knowledge of the routines within the classroom.
While I am enjoying my time as a CRT, I am eager to have my own classroom.