Reflective Portfolio

A little about myself...

My name is Anna and I am in my third year of teaching. My first year was completed at the lovely Helensville School teaching year 7/8 students, before moving to my current role at Newmarket Primary School where I started in a year 4/5 class and now have year 5/6 students. I have been lucky in my teaching career so far. In my first year I had a hugely supportive team who assisted me without question when I needed them and, when my contract ended there, I moved to the wonderful Newmarket School.

At Newmarket I have been able to really grow in my profession, not just because I am getting more classroom experience, but because I have been given copious amounts of opportunity to do so - I have only had to say 'Yes'. Saying 'yes' is something I never used to do. Too often I would consider all of the negative: the workload, the exhaustion, the 'what ifs'. I decided, with the encouragement of my tutor teacher, Belinda and school IT guru, Sonya, to change my ways and become a YES person.

So I said YES to trialling Hapara, I said YES to going to the Google Apps for Education summit in Auckland, I said YES to being the first one to one class at Newmarket School, I said YES to the #edchatNZ twitter meets and conference, I said YES to starting my post graduate journey with the inaugural course by Unitec and Mindlab and I have said YES to presenting at the next Google Apps for Education summit this Easter break - all of which has bought me to where I am today.

My students are noticeably more engaged and are usually thrilled when I come in to class with a new, and interesting approach to learning that I'm busting to try out. I adore their natural enthusiasm and open mindedness. I am surrounded by talented, experienced staff who have no qualms in sharing their knowledge with others.

Over the next few blog posts I will delve deeper in to my practice and reflect on where I have been and where I am determined to get to. How will I get there? Who knows!