Hi everyone,
Another week into my career break and I hope everyone is settling back into school life. This week I was subbing one day so far, it was a huge change to be at home and waiting on the call. It’s not always easy and it’s been a week of ups and downs as I get used to the subbing life style.
The most important thing to me this week is embracing the change and taking advantage of lots of opportunities during my career break. I took the opportunity to work in a specialised school this week for children with additional needs and it was such a rewarding experience for me. Having worked in a mainstream setting for over 15 years it was a new teaching setting and environment for me, but I really enjoyed it. Of course it was challenging in some ways, but I was so grateful for the pack left from the class teacher and the incredible help from the SNAs. I left the school with a new sense of pride in myself in that I was out of my comfort zone, but I learned on my feet and had a really enjoyable day. I hope to get the opportunity to sub in that school or a similar school again.
So if you are subbing this year, take time to embrace the change and sieze the opportunities while you can. Take the time to learn more about yourself too. A wise colleague of mine always reminds me that I am on a Career Break and the emphasis is to take this break while I can. I think after returning to the same school every year for so long, now it is taking time to get used to change and taking a break for me. There will be subbing and opportunities will arise, but I think I am going to live in the moment too.
Take Care Everyone,
Aistear Muinteoir
Aistear Múinteoir 