With all these independent learners and teachers around – what am I for?
Lots of interesting interactions have been wounding my pride recently, which is on the whole a good thing! Students who are better than I am at a whole range of things, teachers responding to exciting opportunities quicker than I do! – you know who you are 
You give them enough of the skills to work independently and make choices, a direction to go in, fuel an enthusiasm and give them some space… then what do I do once they are on their way making exciting discoveries?
Leave your answers below, but I guess it is along the lines of:
- Peer reviewer
- Recipient of their new found knowledge & skills
- Occasional guide, light house or way point
- Role playing of boss, work mate or client
- Crowd control
- Cheerleader
- The guy who fixes the printer
None of them sound much like teaching 
– I think I’d much rather be the learner.
I know I should be the learner alongside them, but here comes the pride again, maybe I’m just a little bit too tired to learn at the moment.
As for my colleagues, it’s great to see them finding exciting new ways to communicate understanding and share experiences, I wish I had the time to do half of what I wanted… – in a real creative-whack kind of way I guess that the question becomes “where am I spending my time in a way that isn’t producing that joy”? – Hmm, now that’s a trickier one!
4 Comments
IMO, Mr Ryall you are a great teacher, and you DO teach, not just coordinate! Well, I’ll tell you what I remember from being at GCUS. Even though you ve never actually been my teacher I felt that you were the right person to talk to, and you- as one of very very few people at that time- seemed to actually understand what I was saying or at least try to understand OR AT LEAST be interested in what I was trying to say. It was very important for me and also the fact that you let me help you with taking all these photos for school’s website… That meant a lot for me so thank you for all these things once again. Coming to the conclusion: I think you are the right person in the right place and all these kids want to do well for you, so you are pleased with them. Isn’t it nice:)? ok its time for me now. bye!
Didn’t realise you were feeling so negative at the mo – maybe I’m wrong? Can I help at all?
Not down at all – just slightly confused! – Anyway how could I feel down after Dom’s kind words!
– Happy Birthday, Sue?
Thanks for teaching me too! You ARE the right mentor for the job!