Not Twister

Discussing the dilemma with Sniffy back in Hong Kong, i tapped him for ideas on what should be the opening teaching staff workshop, but his suggestion of Twister just didn’t seem right.

I originally planned for a reflection of the schools’ Vision Statement; everything should be under-pinned by this, but it hasn’t been touched in 5 years and lacks dynamics. After my first observations i need something more lively and interactive, and i opt for an old party piece – “The Inspirational Teacher”.

I share my own personal story of Mr Andrews my Year 7 History teacher whose interests lay in the absurd and bizarre. Clearly a twisted individual but a very interesting one nonetheless.

To give it further purpose, i give it in a format of an English National Curriculum lesson, i.e. shared objectives, interactive warm-up starter and front-loading, main activity, plenary and self assessment of the objectives.  

Think of the most inspired teacher you ever had. Share it with someone you don’t know very well and look for some common and unique features. This get’s a bit of a buzz going in the room and after Monday’s banal presence. They’re eager to share and feed-back their ideas as a whole group and i appoint a scribe to note features.

I then regroup them into 8 and i ask them to design a poster of “The Perfect Teacher” with markers and large cartridge paper and then give them 20 minutes to complete. They’re well in to it and i go round the groups offering encouragement. Twenty minutes fly by and they don’t wanna stop.  Nonetheless it’s share time. Each group appointed a reporter who had to feedback on their group’s observations. I thought they’de be shy, but only one group hid – those mainly composing of the Amharic teachers.

Maybe somewhat surprisingly we noted that there was only one of the 30+ staff named a Primary School teacher.  

I’m pleased to note “punctuality” was on at least five of the posters. Point taken. And i've finally got some posters to decorate my office too.

The final session is for planning and classroom preparation, but there are no resources on site to pass round, the Curriculum Folders are locked behind the ICT door and there are still a few teachers that can’t get into the classroom. I get my secretary to ring round staff and ask the Head Maintenance Officer to find me the keys urgently. By 3pm the situation has not improved and i send them off home with a reminder that we begin promptly in the Music Room at 8.30 tomorrow.