Friday, September 16, 2011
Options to Management styles
I am proposing that there are at least two new options which may offer an alternative to current management styles...and alleviate some of the administrative pain that teachers suffer....
1. A new cooperative decision making system for management
2. Implementation of more spiritual humanistic leaders
3. Use of more narrative accounts to help with decision making
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Lost contact
I feel like I have lost total student contact. In previous years I have been able to talk to my students and find out about them. This is so vital for the younger students who may not have family around them.
The contstant needs of higher management make it almost impossible to spend time with my students in the class.
The contstant needs of higher management make it almost impossible to spend time with my students in the class.
Colleagues off
She came back this week after two months off with stress....
What does it mean when 7 staff members from our department leave within a year?
1. Admin team say that the paperwork is getting worse.
2. Four staff members leave because they are not doing any teaching anymore, just paperwork.
3. One signed off with long term stress, while others are referring themselves to occupational health with stress related symptoms.
Over ambitious managers maybe the cause of the problems.
What does it mean when 7 staff members from our department leave within a year?
1. Admin team say that the paperwork is getting worse.
2. Four staff members leave because they are not doing any teaching anymore, just paperwork.
3. One signed off with long term stress, while others are referring themselves to occupational health with stress related symptoms.
Over ambitious managers maybe the cause of the problems.
ASDAN IV
Again I am upset at the blocks which get placed in front of me.
I am in constant contact with the exam board and they have been telling me how to submit portfolios. Although when I meet with the colleges contact (who sends of the prtfolios) she tells me abruptly that SHE is the Internal Verifier and that they need to be submitted her way!
It seems that there is someone here who is making everyones job harder than it needs to be. I cannopt woprk in an environment where those who are higher in the hierarchy try to make others' jobs difficult.
I am in constant contact with the exam board and they have been telling me how to submit portfolios. Although when I meet with the colleges contact (who sends of the prtfolios) she tells me abruptly that SHE is the Internal Verifier and that they need to be submitted her way!
It seems that there is someone here who is making everyones job harder than it needs to be. I cannopt woprk in an environment where those who are higher in the hierarchy try to make others' jobs difficult.
External Consultant Sue partridge
I am trying to get my portfolios up to date and my line manager asks if I am coming to the meeting. I decline her offer but attend later when I feel I have acomplished something.
In the meeting the team is asked how various changes have impacted in the staff.
The fact that the work load has again increased and no administrative support is available, proved a sore point. It was explained that I quick fix system was put in place with disregard for the staff concerned. It was explained that some type of support system needed to be put in place. I found the meeting to be unhelpful except that nothing was really accepted with regard to the fact that the staff needed training and help.
I made up my mind during that meeting that I need to escape the nonsense which exists in our department.
The solutions that the staff wanted seem to be overlooked...swiftly
In the meeting the team is asked how various changes have impacted in the staff.
The fact that the work load has again increased and no administrative support is available, proved a sore point. It was explained that I quick fix system was put in place with disregard for the staff concerned. It was explained that some type of support system needed to be put in place. I found the meeting to be unhelpful except that nothing was really accepted with regard to the fact that the staff needed training and help.
I made up my mind during that meeting that I need to escape the nonsense which exists in our department.
The solutions that the staff wanted seem to be overlooked...swiftly
Sabbatical meeting, competency framework
Earlier on the year I ask for a sabbatical, and am told that my request of going in January would not work but the end of the academic year would be better.
I put any such plans on hold.
So I turn up to this meeting with what I believe the relevant paperwork.
I fly through the details.
I am asked whether I am going to take a sabbatical. I say that I have not found the thing that interests me yet... but i would like to take a sabbatical if something comes up.
During that meeting I am asked
A few days later I submit my request formally to my line manager. She seems shocked although we have talked about it a few times.
I have already had the support of my director and programme area manager... but she seems to disregard our previosus conversations.
I need a break from this craziness in our department
I put any such plans on hold.
So I turn up to this meeting with what I believe the relevant paperwork.
I fly through the details.
I am asked whether I am going to take a sabbatical. I say that I have not found the thing that interests me yet... but i would like to take a sabbatical if something comes up.
During that meeting I am asked
A few days later I submit my request formally to my line manager. She seems shocked although we have talked about it a few times.
I have already had the support of my director and programme area manager... but she seems to disregard our previosus conversations.
I need a break from this craziness in our department
Friday, March 25, 2011
My Grade 2...is not good enough
So I get a grade 2 (out of 5). I feel that it is Ok. Not the best I can do, but good enough considering the time I have had to prepare. It took 1 hour to complete the plan, let alone anything else.
I have been reprimanded on the lack of my paperwork to support the lesson.
They want a grade 1 which my paperwork will provide
I am unable to do this within my weekly schedule.
It is an impossible task, which is being made worse...
I suggested a sort of profit share scheme... whereby if I get a grade 1 then I get a percentage of the money which will be allocated to the college.
I have been reprimanded on the lack of my paperwork to support the lesson.
They want a grade 1 which my paperwork will provide
I am unable to do this within my weekly schedule.
It is an impossible task, which is being made worse...
I suggested a sort of profit share scheme... whereby if I get a grade 1 then I get a percentage of the money which will be allocated to the college.
Irrelevant emails
So I am doing another training session which I feel is totally irrelevant to my role.
With so many other things I need to be doing I feel that 3 hours is being wasted on nonsense.
I have decided to choose carefully my attendance on such training.
With so many other things I need to be doing I feel that 3 hours is being wasted on nonsense.
I have decided to choose carefully my attendance on such training.
Ethical Exam board
I have started to implement the new exam board into the course.
I have great doubts as to whether it is ethical changing exam boards half way through the year/course....
This is affecting staff morale, and student attendance.
Students are not happy with the dumbing down that is taking place. The rationale is that more passes will occur with the new board. If there are more passes, it surely means that the exam is easier.
With students unhappy and teachers unhappy what does that tell us about the state of affairs?????
I have great doubts as to whether it is ethical changing exam boards half way through the year/course....
This is affecting staff morale, and student attendance.
Students are not happy with the dumbing down that is taking place. The rationale is that more passes will occur with the new board. If there are more passes, it surely means that the exam is easier.
With students unhappy and teachers unhappy what does that tell us about the state of affairs?????
Ocupational Health
The occupational health team have been down to ask us to fill out a questionaire about stress.
I was so stressed it took me ages to sort it out. In fact once I have filled it out I lost it!
It is interesting why they are there. The list that was read out about the type of person that gets more stressed that others reminded me of my line manager
I was so stressed it took me ages to sort it out. In fact once I have filled it out I lost it!
It is interesting why they are there. The list that was read out about the type of person that gets more stressed that others reminded me of my line manager
Endless Spam
It seems that there is a trail of spam in my work mail mailbox.
Most of it has been sent by administration systems and managers, who 'want this' and 'need that' by a certain date.
I spend time filtering out what is useless info.
If they want me they can come and find me.
I hate to be this way but it is the only way I can keep sane.
Most of it has been sent by administration systems and managers, who 'want this' and 'need that' by a certain date.
I spend time filtering out what is useless info.
If they want me they can come and find me.
I hate to be this way but it is the only way I can keep sane.
Had enough
AT least three people in the department have said that they have had enough!
This is after the departure of two colleagues recently.
Quote from GG " I have had enough, I'm leaving" Normally a chilled out, head down kind of colleague.
AH " As she was crying at her desk, shouted it's too stressful here. I can't take it anymore!"
KT " I don't know if I really want to do this job. There is so much paperwork"
A trainee teacher already considering exiting before the real task gets under way.
I myself have already made plans for my escape.
I dont know how I will do it....
but I really need to do something new.
These people are excellent workers. Skilled in language , numeracy and IT teaching.
They/we are being pushed out of the profession.
It reminds me that I am not a practicioner, but a technician. A glorified Administrator.... not something I signed up for!
This is after the departure of two colleagues recently.
Quote from GG " I have had enough, I'm leaving" Normally a chilled out, head down kind of colleague.
AH " As she was crying at her desk, shouted it's too stressful here. I can't take it anymore!"
KT " I don't know if I really want to do this job. There is so much paperwork"
A trainee teacher already considering exiting before the real task gets under way.
I myself have already made plans for my escape.
I dont know how I will do it....
but I really need to do something new.
These people are excellent workers. Skilled in language , numeracy and IT teaching.
They/we are being pushed out of the profession.
It reminds me that I am not a practicioner, but a technician. A glorified Administrator.... not something I signed up for!
Happy at Mayflower
Two collegaues have decided to leave the department an 'actually teach'
They have gone to a private language school, where they get less money. But they actually enjoy it there as they can teach. A novel idea in the realms we have been used to.
I am starting to wonder if all of this bureaucracy is healthy for me.
I am beginning to think not!
I keep feeling that it is time to do something different.
Although I really like my job..... the headache of the paperwork gets in the way.
I also want to be happy, but not at Mayflower.
They have gone to a private language school, where they get less money. But they actually enjoy it there as they can teach. A novel idea in the realms we have been used to.
I am starting to wonder if all of this bureaucracy is healthy for me.
I am beginning to think not!
I keep feeling that it is time to do something different.
Although I really like my job..... the headache of the paperwork gets in the way.
I also want to be happy, but not at Mayflower.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
TENSION
I decided finally that I needed to move out of the office upstairs. I no longer share with my line manager. I am not able to do my job and feed information to her constantly. I feel like I can breathe now! Her reaction was that she said she was going to miss me.
Although the students have noticed her reaction. PD said that he could see she was angry. I asked another colleague what it was like in the same office. She nearly started crying!
A further colleague has said that she feels management just fire off emails all day and expect orders to be carried out! Unfortunately lack of human contact has meant a more technocratic management style across the college.
Although the students have noticed her reaction. PD said that he could see she was angry. I asked another colleague what it was like in the same office. She nearly started crying!
A further colleague has said that she feels management just fire off emails all day and expect orders to be carried out! Unfortunately lack of human contact has meant a more technocratic management style across the college.
What makes a good leader?
I met a member of my admin team in my office by chance.
She declared that what makes a good manager does not always make a good leader.
She explained that our line manager tries to dumb down to the whole team. Making
everyone feel inadequate.
I cant help notice that a leader who has no faith in her workers, needs to assess the situation better. And that her only goal is achieving a grade 2 or higher for her section. Nothing about the well being of her team matters. This perception is echoed further up the hierarchy....
She declared that what makes a good manager does not always make a good leader.
She explained that our line manager tries to dumb down to the whole team. Making
everyone feel inadequate.
I cant help notice that a leader who has no faith in her workers, needs to assess the situation better. And that her only goal is achieving a grade 2 or higher for her section. Nothing about the well being of her team matters. This perception is echoed further up the hierarchy....
I want to give you a grade 1
So I was observed and managed to get my paperwork done (well lesson plan anyway) with a few minutes to spare. I actually had to have an extra hour to prepare for the ordeal.
I decided that my class profile and course planner should remain on the shared drive. As a member of the sustainability committee I feel that I should not needlessly print out sheets of paper that will only get looked at for a few seconds.
So during the observation I showed off a few of my tricks that I can so easily do. My line manager left the session smiling and the students were laughing and smiling, so I thought this must be a good thing.
During the feedback (which ironically was over the phone :) due to both of us being so busy with other stuff) I was told I had a grade 2 easily but that my line manager wanted to give me a grade 1. However it was because the rest of my paperwork was not there. I gave my reasons behind it. I was also quizzed on where my Individual Learner Plans were. The college and department want to use shared drives to store information and use electronic versions of ILPS, however they want to see paper based stuff wherever they can. I am sadened by the bizarreness of this bureaucracy. I have decided not to partake in it. I am not a technocrat! Unfortunately if the college wants all this paperwork they will have to free up my time more.
I decided that my class profile and course planner should remain on the shared drive. As a member of the sustainability committee I feel that I should not needlessly print out sheets of paper that will only get looked at for a few seconds.
So during the observation I showed off a few of my tricks that I can so easily do. My line manager left the session smiling and the students were laughing and smiling, so I thought this must be a good thing.
During the feedback (which ironically was over the phone :) due to both of us being so busy with other stuff) I was told I had a grade 2 easily but that my line manager wanted to give me a grade 1. However it was because the rest of my paperwork was not there. I gave my reasons behind it. I was also quizzed on where my Individual Learner Plans were. The college and department want to use shared drives to store information and use electronic versions of ILPS, however they want to see paper based stuff wherever they can. I am sadened by the bizarreness of this bureaucracy. I have decided not to partake in it. I am not a technocrat! Unfortunately if the college wants all this paperwork they will have to free up my time more.
Every student doesn't matter
The vice principal has pushed forward the initiative to deliver a new exam board half way through the year. It is supported by the management of the ESOL department.
The students are not happy. They have not been consulted and many of them have paid for their courses. In fact the students have decided to write letters of complaint to the principal. We will see if students really do matter! This shows that the students are not happy with the managemengt of their course.
The pressure is not on students, but on teachers to implement a new style of exam. Which requires extra paperwork, training and understanding of how the exam board works.
The morale from this decision is low. With two staff members handing in their notices in the past three weeks. Even the tutors KV who were reasonably happy earlier in the year are becoming crazy with the extra paperwork. Reams of it! It seems that it is a desperate state to drive up pass rates. Though I am sure that it will mean that the quality of the teaching will go down.
The students are not happy. They have not been consulted and many of them have paid for their courses. In fact the students have decided to write letters of complaint to the principal. We will see if students really do matter! This shows that the students are not happy with the managemengt of their course.
The pressure is not on students, but on teachers to implement a new style of exam. Which requires extra paperwork, training and understanding of how the exam board works.
The morale from this decision is low. With two staff members handing in their notices in the past three weeks. Even the tutors KV who were reasonably happy earlier in the year are becoming crazy with the extra paperwork. Reams of it! It seems that it is a desperate state to drive up pass rates. Though I am sure that it will mean that the quality of the teaching will go down.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Undercover
I feel as though I am am undercover agent sometimes. I check to see if her back and coat are in the room before I say anything.
At several points I have been known to dance around like crazy when I have known she is not around.
At several points I have been known to dance around like crazy when I have known she is not around.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Me an my tutor
I have been trying to get a feel of the new course...as it is a bit different this year. Lots more paperwork and more achievments.
K reminds me : I bet every single thing they do is accredited.
Yeah it is pretty much.. The escence of allowing language to flow and relationships to develop has been lost although there is much more structure to it.
PD: You dont speak to me anymore. I dont think you want to know me.
It is more of the case that I am unable to speak anymore. The sessions are now panoptically controlled and the students feel disjointed to the teachers.
K reminds me : I bet every single thing they do is accredited.
Yeah it is pretty much.. The escence of allowing language to flow and relationships to develop has been lost although there is much more structure to it.
PD: You dont speak to me anymore. I dont think you want to know me.
It is more of the case that I am unable to speak anymore. The sessions are now panoptically controlled and the students feel disjointed to the teachers.
The Narrative of the exam no shows
Again I feel that numbers have created a negative discourse around why my students have not passed (or even shown up to) their exams.
I am constantly trying to get other departments to help me. Just to send out a notification that my students have an exam would be nice.
This did not happen and now my line manager is not happy as noone knew when they had the exam.
I sent all of the students a text, left messages on their phones and even facebooked them.
No................. I did my bit..... no support from my colleagues in college tho...
I am constantly trying to get other departments to help me. Just to send out a notification that my students have an exam would be nice.
This did not happen and now my line manager is not happy as noone knew when they had the exam.
I sent all of the students a text, left messages on their phones and even facebooked them.
No................. I did my bit..... no support from my colleagues in college tho...
Critcal Incidents
Some of the things I have observed this week have been said by people I had not had any contact with before. Only they have provided me a new viewpoint I feel is an additional lens to observe situations.
KW and I have talked about the behaviour of some students. The college structure has included a team to support staff with challenging students. Unfortunately this has not really supported me, but pushed me through more layers of bureaucracy. KW wants to deal with the situation in a clear and correct way. Shows that if one thing in the systen does not work correctly then more problems may result.
KR tells me that she is upset with the way I organise my desk. THERE IS SO MUCH PAPERWORK ON YOUR DESK I CANNOT ACTUALLY SEE IT. I feel that this is how my life is around my work this way. There is not a single minute where I am able to tidy anything away. Except during half terms, when my line manager wants to have more meetings! I need this time to tidy my paperwork. No this is not good enough. PLANNING NEEDS TO BE DONE!
S gives me a grade 2 for my teaching observation. Would probably have got a 1 if my students did not waltz in late! Anyway part of me feels smug, and another hates being this number. In the organisations eyes I am a number. I help their statistics, and although my line manager is extatic with my grade, I cant help feeling that my achievments are much greater than this!
KW and I have talked about the behaviour of some students. The college structure has included a team to support staff with challenging students. Unfortunately this has not really supported me, but pushed me through more layers of bureaucracy. KW wants to deal with the situation in a clear and correct way. Shows that if one thing in the systen does not work correctly then more problems may result.
KR tells me that she is upset with the way I organise my desk. THERE IS SO MUCH PAPERWORK ON YOUR DESK I CANNOT ACTUALLY SEE IT. I feel that this is how my life is around my work this way. There is not a single minute where I am able to tidy anything away. Except during half terms, when my line manager wants to have more meetings! I need this time to tidy my paperwork. No this is not good enough. PLANNING NEEDS TO BE DONE!
S gives me a grade 2 for my teaching observation. Would probably have got a 1 if my students did not waltz in late! Anyway part of me feels smug, and another hates being this number. In the organisations eyes I am a number. I help their statistics, and although my line manager is extatic with my grade, I cant help feeling that my achievments are much greater than this!
Conservative councillor on my doorstep
I answer the door to Oliver Colville MP. Newly elected he is doing the rounds with his Conservative Councillor (Joan).
We enter as discussion about getting equal status for QTS and QTLS teachers. She agrees with me. She also says " You are doing some great work at the college!"
Such a compliment, although it does not feel like that when I go to team meetings. I feel like I am an unauthorised alien who needs to be ejected.
We enter as discussion about getting equal status for QTS and QTLS teachers. She agrees with me. She also says " You are doing some great work at the college!"
Such a compliment, although it does not feel like that when I go to team meetings. I feel like I am an unauthorised alien who needs to be ejected.
Exam meeting 2
The whole department starts to air their feelings in this meeting.
Even people who do not normally speak up are sayingt their piece. One of the staff emotionally let everyine know that the bombardment of paperwork has meant that she nearly ended up in tears the other day. I actually wanted to walk out, though did not get the chance to express this.
The issues were glossed over for the more imprtant issue of familiarising everyone with the new exam style. Implementation from above with a disregard for the staff below. We were advised that the tasks required were in our job description. Although they are an impossibility. Even the minutes of this meeting a few days later did not mention the hour long discussion we have had about extra workloads and no extra time to do it in.
I feel the emotions of my team are never considered. Management agendas always supercede staff feelings.
Even people who do not normally speak up are sayingt their piece. One of the staff emotionally let everyine know that the bombardment of paperwork has meant that she nearly ended up in tears the other day. I actually wanted to walk out, though did not get the chance to express this.
The issues were glossed over for the more imprtant issue of familiarising everyone with the new exam style. Implementation from above with a disregard for the staff below. We were advised that the tasks required were in our job description. Although they are an impossibility. Even the minutes of this meeting a few days later did not mention the hour long discussion we have had about extra workloads and no extra time to do it in.
I feel the emotions of my team are never considered. Management agendas always supercede staff feelings.
Rui 13 Jan 2011
So as I get the class to fill out yet more forms, their heads hang in dismay.
Rui spurts : Not more paper all we ever do is paperwork.
I echo his thoughts and wonder why I am giving him and his classmates ths stuff. He is probably the brightest in the class, but I feel like I am stiffling his creativity and language production.
Rui spurts : Not more paper all we ever do is paperwork.
I echo his thoughts and wonder why I am giving him and his classmates ths stuff. He is probably the brightest in the class, but I feel like I am stiffling his creativity and language production.
Thoughts on Management
My first thoughts about management in an educational establishment where that it encompassed the following:
1. Most of the common trends and thinking indicate that is organisations need some sort of dictator or principal or chief executive officer who controls what is going on. However if one is to adopt an anarchical perspective then more of everyone's ideas might be encompassed.
Summerhill School indicate a student policy where classes are not obligatory however the students develop themselves enormously. It is not necessary through academic means that their own personal development.
2. Management also has a personal perspective. By this I mean that is anyone with any sort of behaviour issue whether it be extremely subtle or overtly obvious will infuse their behaviours into their management style. In other words if someone has not got control over themselves they try to develop control over others. It's the control over the others that is most important here.
3. Leadership also has an ideological perspectives. The leader once this is ideal situation to arise however what they have considered is not necessarily a possibility. There is only constraints and tensions on the individual and the organisation in which they exist that an ideal scenario does not exist.
1. Most of the common trends and thinking indicate that is organisations need some sort of dictator or principal or chief executive officer who controls what is going on. However if one is to adopt an anarchical perspective then more of everyone's ideas might be encompassed.
Summerhill School indicate a student policy where classes are not obligatory however the students develop themselves enormously. It is not necessary through academic means that their own personal development.
2. Management also has a personal perspective. By this I mean that is anyone with any sort of behaviour issue whether it be extremely subtle or overtly obvious will infuse their behaviours into their management style. In other words if someone has not got control over themselves they try to develop control over others. It's the control over the others that is most important here.
3. Leadership also has an ideological perspectives. The leader once this is ideal situation to arise however what they have considered is not necessarily a possibility. There is only constraints and tensions on the individual and the organisation in which they exist that an ideal scenario does not exist.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Interview Panel
I am being asked to help out as an interviewer. To help choose a member of staff for my college.
I am in two minds about this. When I am asking the questions I feel that I wish I could teel the the interviewees that they are getting themsleves into a crazy job if they take the post.
I also feel an accomplice in getting someone into the bureaucratical mess I find myself in everyday...
I also start to give my opinions based on certain criteria (which the college has listed) rather than on my gut feeling... My gut feeling has helped me in situations before and this time I use the college's job description as my rational for my choice in candidate.
At the end of the discussion. I find out that there are other reasons why someone might get chosen. The fact that the college desperately needs a staff member, and that if a certain individual fills teh post it will leave another post open.
People are being used as items to complete a technical puzzle.
I am in two minds about this. When I am asking the questions I feel that I wish I could teel the the interviewees that they are getting themsleves into a crazy job if they take the post.
I also feel an accomplice in getting someone into the bureaucratical mess I find myself in everyday...
I also start to give my opinions based on certain criteria (which the college has listed) rather than on my gut feeling... My gut feeling has helped me in situations before and this time I use the college's job description as my rational for my choice in candidate.
At the end of the discussion. I find out that there are other reasons why someone might get chosen. The fact that the college desperately needs a staff member, and that if a certain individual fills teh post it will leave another post open.
People are being used as items to complete a technical puzzle.
Kasia's stress
I meet with Kasia this week. She wants to know what is going on with the class.
We are sharing a class and I have to relay some information about it.
During our meeting she tells me how stressed she is. She says she only comes in two days a week and feels unbelievably stressed from just turning up. She cannot understand how it would be for a fulltime post.
She asks me if it will get any easier. I tell her that the prepping for teaching becomes easier, but that the paperwork and answering emails and carrying out administrative tasks becomes more difficult.
We are sharing a class and I have to relay some information about it.
During our meeting she tells me how stressed she is. She says she only comes in two days a week and feels unbelievably stressed from just turning up. She cannot understand how it would be for a fulltime post.
She asks me if it will get any easier. I tell her that the prepping for teaching becomes easier, but that the paperwork and answering emails and carrying out administrative tasks becomes more difficult.
Sustainability police!
I am on the sustainability team in my faculty...
Interestingly I am asked to print out hundreds of pieces of paper for my course files.
I have copied them all onto DVD... so that paper is at a minimum and that people can access presentations and photo/video files.
Sadly they dont like a slim folder with electronic files :(
They want me to print it all out ....
Interestingly I am asked to print out hundreds of pieces of paper for my course files.
I have copied them all onto DVD... so that paper is at a minimum and that people can access presentations and photo/video files.
Sadly they dont like a slim folder with electronic files :(
They want me to print it all out ....
Speech by Principal
Great speech from the Prinsipal of the college.
She says that she does not want paperwork repeated two or three times. Wants increased efficiency, by reduce the bureauracy in the college.
That was three years ago. I can only see paperwork increasing..not decreasing
Sometimes I get to teach my students! An insane mechanism...is at work....
She says that she does not want paperwork repeated two or three times. Wants increased efficiency, by reduce the bureauracy in the college.
That was three years ago. I can only see paperwork increasing..not decreasing
Sometimes I get to teach my students! An insane mechanism...is at work....
The Review before the Quality Review
I am going crazy with this trail of paperwork... Trying to play the game but finding it a bit difficult.
We were in the meeting to discuss the Quality Review. This was a new idea which meant that we had to have certain paperwork in place by 7th Feb 2011. The QR was so that if things needed to be adjusted before an OFSTED inspection, then they could be implemented.
I suddenly find myself in an office with lots of people...being asked to resubmit my folder with all of its imformation clearly marked. However this was the week before the QR... A pre quality review. If everyone is rushing around getting this stuff together then why are they hiring consultants to administer the quality review?
Am I going mad or do some people just love repeating tasks????
We were in the meeting to discuss the Quality Review. This was a new idea which meant that we had to have certain paperwork in place by 7th Feb 2011. The QR was so that if things needed to be adjusted before an OFSTED inspection, then they could be implemented.
I suddenly find myself in an office with lots of people...being asked to resubmit my folder with all of its imformation clearly marked. However this was the week before the QR... A pre quality review. If everyone is rushing around getting this stuff together then why are they hiring consultants to administer the quality review?
Am I going mad or do some people just love repeating tasks????
Teaching or administering
So a wonderful start to the term is that I have to pass on the paperwork exercise to my students. I hate doing this.... partly because we all know it is an exercise in bureaucracy, and partly because I want to get on a get my students involved in some real activities. Something they feek they can engage in... and they are able to utilse new language.
3 weeks (9 hours) I have spent on one subject getting students portfolios up to date. Not again they cry as I tell them they know what they have to do. Get portfolios out... and write up what we did over the last....X number of weeks..
Pavel notices that he has to fill out more forms and he says that he doesnt want to stay in class anymore because he has to do this.
Last year we didnt have to do all this. He was right... we didnt have to do it...because the class was small and there were no qualifications attached to the course. This meant very little paperwork but almost no structure.
The new course has paperwork, and structure. There is a qual we have to get students to do.
I feel that I am a part of the machine I detest. Administering the work...but getting students to administer themsleves.
3 weeks (9 hours) I have spent on one subject getting students portfolios up to date. Not again they cry as I tell them they know what they have to do. Get portfolios out... and write up what we did over the last....X number of weeks..
Pavel notices that he has to fill out more forms and he says that he doesnt want to stay in class anymore because he has to do this.
Last year we didnt have to do all this. He was right... we didnt have to do it...because the class was small and there were no qualifications attached to the course. This meant very little paperwork but almost no structure.
The new course has paperwork, and structure. There is a qual we have to get students to do.
I feel that I am a part of the machine I detest. Administering the work...but getting students to administer themsleves.
Covering for our line manager
During November 2009 to end of January 2010, both myself and my collegaue Sarah W covered for a line managers position.
The college had accepted the resignation of my previous line manager. She had said that they had offered her the same job for a lower salary (a classic more for less attitude!)
The relplacement (the COG) was to start a week or two after Sara T had left. Unfortunatelty the new recruit psotponed her start date to Feb .... 3 months after the schedule.
Had this been part of the plan...? No obviously not. The plan had been for the new staff member to slot straight into the space made by my previous line manager.
This discrepency had caused three people to take over the vacant role. Such a flaw in THE SYSTEM meant that extra pressure was put on 3 of us to cover that persons job. No one had thought about getting a temporary replacement part.
A bit like driving a car with three wheels! Well it doesnt matter there are three wheels. We can make do til the new one arrives!
There was not a single word of thanks for the work we did during those three months and not any financial renumeration (3 months of this persons salary should have been split between us!)
The college had accepted the resignation of my previous line manager. She had said that they had offered her the same job for a lower salary (a classic more for less attitude!)
The relplacement (the COG) was to start a week or two after Sara T had left. Unfortunatelty the new recruit psotponed her start date to Feb .... 3 months after the schedule.
Had this been part of the plan...? No obviously not. The plan had been for the new staff member to slot straight into the space made by my previous line manager.
This discrepency had caused three people to take over the vacant role. Such a flaw in THE SYSTEM meant that extra pressure was put on 3 of us to cover that persons job. No one had thought about getting a temporary replacement part.
A bit like driving a car with three wheels! Well it doesnt matter there are three wheels. We can make do til the new one arrives!
There was not a single word of thanks for the work we did during those three months and not any financial renumeration (3 months of this persons salary should have been split between us!)
ILP Training disaster
I cannot understand it. We are urged to attend this important meeting about eILPs.
When we get there the trainer tells us that there are no PCs for us to use and that we have to imagine what it would be like to log in to an account. This is something we are expected to do as part of our role, but we are unable to practice what we need to know.
Its rather like learning how to drive a car, in the classroom, without actually getting into a car.
It is crazy how such practices can take place.
We are all supposed to be using this software now.... The trainer I feel is carrying out a paper excercise. That the actual learning has been implemented regardless of what happened in the session. This is an exmaple of how paperwork rules and that the completion of a training form means that the imformation has been passed on.
When we get there the trainer tells us that there are no PCs for us to use and that we have to imagine what it would be like to log in to an account. This is something we are expected to do as part of our role, but we are unable to practice what we need to know.
Its rather like learning how to drive a car, in the classroom, without actually getting into a car.
It is crazy how such practices can take place.
We are all supposed to be using this software now.... The trainer I feel is carrying out a paper excercise. That the actual learning has been implemented regardless of what happened in the session. This is an exmaple of how paperwork rules and that the completion of a training form means that the imformation has been passed on.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Ofsted Roadshow
So me and a colleague end up talking again. First is was about the Quality Review meeting... a two week period where they are hiring consultants on about £500 per day... to review our section and then make suggestions to adjust the situation to increase efficiency and ... he asks if I had been to such a meeting! Oh yeah, the one wear hitlers black shirts started to talk down at us!
I went to that alright.... We laughed when I called it the Ofsted Roadshow! I again today cried in my head when I found out that I cannot enter my students attendances on their registers! So what does it mean that it takes one month to make sure I have the correct people on each of my registers! Its a bureaucratical nightmare!
Peace
I went to that alright.... We laughed when I called it the Ofsted Roadshow! I again today cried in my head when I found out that I cannot enter my students attendances on their registers! So what does it mean that it takes one month to make sure I have the correct people on each of my registers! Its a bureaucratical nightmare!
Peace
The corridor I
So as we leave the building together, we talk about how things are going in general. We end up talking about our workload and paperwork
I havent got time to do it all.. H mentions. I am only able to manage my lesson preparation and a few other bits (including checking my emails). They have got to be joking if they think they want me to do the other stuff.
I say that the idea of this quality review is so that any problems will be noted and new systems if necessary put in place.
We will see if that will happen or they try to make us do more useless paperwork.
I havent got time to do it all.. H mentions. I am only able to manage my lesson preparation and a few other bits (including checking my emails). They have got to be joking if they think they want me to do the other stuff.
I say that the idea of this quality review is so that any problems will be noted and new systems if necessary put in place.
We will see if that will happen or they try to make us do more useless paperwork.
Critical incident - Stressed
I enter the room and she is pulling her hair out. She is so stressed, and then blurts it out! Look at this paperwork. I have a mountain of SODALS and lesson plans, as well as all the other stuff! I try to reassure her that we all have this stuff to do... and that we can only do our best everyday....
Critical Incident - Students want to learn
So I end up having to go over how to write up a description of a process AGAIN! Most people have not done their homework and EM is horrified that we have to do this once more. "This is boring, she shouts.... why can't we do something more interesting like history or geography?" I tell her that I would rather do this stuff. I say " I am with you! Unfortunately we have to get people through exams or we dont get any money from the government. This type of question maybe in the exam, and I want to keep my job! If I dont get you through the exam then my job is at risk."
She shudders and tells me that she doesnt want me to lose my job. She tells me that she thinks it is outrageous that the government is doing this. I tell her that I just have to get you through the exam. My worth is based on my statistics. she tells me " Learning is not just about passing exams you know!" I do know! I agree with her and tell her that.
I really do try to cater for students who want a challenge but also try to make the sessions interesting and fun. I know I do a good job with high grades on my observations....... unfortunately E has highlighted the biggest difficulty I face in my role. Balancing the needs of the students with their lacks to pass an exam!
She shudders and tells me that she doesnt want me to lose my job. She tells me that she thinks it is outrageous that the government is doing this. I tell her that I just have to get you through the exam. My worth is based on my statistics. she tells me " Learning is not just about passing exams you know!" I do know! I agree with her and tell her that.
I really do try to cater for students who want a challenge but also try to make the sessions interesting and fun. I know I do a good job with high grades on my observations....... unfortunately E has highlighted the biggest difficulty I face in my role. Balancing the needs of the students with their lacks to pass an exam!
Critical incident - Change of exam board meeting
New person in our meeting last week. She is here to improve the statistics of our department. The first thing she says is that she is not convinced the types of learners we have in ESOL could not create such bad (well not really) statistics. In fact her exact words were when it was highlighted that our students are vulnerable people. you know refugees, asylum seekers and people who could be deported any minute.
She says " that doesnt wash with me!" Well there you go...so much for empathy for the types of students that we have in our department. I feel that in fact this type of comment is already laden with a gift of disunderstanding.
I suggested that she look at MIS statistics, as they blatantly do not add up. Not from my experience anyhow. How can my student PD, who has had 100% attendance since the start of the term, be refused EMA payments because he has not attended full time. The whole device of creating statistics which are untrue ends up putting pressure on us teachers.
Well the result of this meeting is a change of exam board. City and Guilds... referred to as the dumb cousin of the UCLES board in ELT circles. It means that more students will pass (theoretically) and that the statistics will look better. Job done!!!! There the students will have learnt more...... Nonsense... how can sitting an easier exam board (reference NATECLA conference Sarah Waters) mean that we are doing a better job?
She says " that doesnt wash with me!" Well there you go...so much for empathy for the types of students that we have in our department. I feel that in fact this type of comment is already laden with a gift of disunderstanding.
I suggested that she look at MIS statistics, as they blatantly do not add up. Not from my experience anyhow. How can my student PD, who has had 100% attendance since the start of the term, be refused EMA payments because he has not attended full time. The whole device of creating statistics which are untrue ends up putting pressure on us teachers.
Well the result of this meeting is a change of exam board. City and Guilds... referred to as the dumb cousin of the UCLES board in ELT circles. It means that more students will pass (theoretically) and that the statistics will look better. Job done!!!! There the students will have learnt more...... Nonsense... how can sitting an easier exam board (reference NATECLA conference Sarah Waters) mean that we are doing a better job?
Getting started
Been finding it really hard to get started with this journal. But I know it will be worth is as I can reference it in my work. Gotta be disciplined and keep it up to date tho!
Just need to clarify that I have changed all the names of those that I have mentioned to protect them.
Just need to clarify that I have changed all the names of those that I have mentioned to protect them.
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