The FastDay Forum

May I peek in occasionally? Not really a retired teacher, but I did work in an academic library where, in addition to dealing with student patrons, one of my tasks was training and supervising student assistants--so inspiring to work with teenagers who are smart and mature enough to counter the usual ideas about young people.

OH is a retired Chemistry Prof who wound down his career by several years as a Teaching Associate (teaching Freshman chem labs--"all the fun of teaching without being responsible for the whole course")

Having a bad reaction to wine, I'll bring a bottle of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey. Thanks for this tent idea!

[Betsysgr8]

Caroline, I think you have it right. Several months ago there was a thread that sent me on a search with wikipedia to understand the UK school system since my english BF had difficulties identifying some the terms that are being used now. He went into his apprenticeship in 1962! lol That's when I found out that we use "public" and "private" schools with the opposite meanings.

[janeg]

Except there is no 'UK' system! There is a separate Scottish educations system and also for Northern Ireland. Ashamed to say that I'm not sure about Wales
Not a teacher so being here as a nosy! Did special ed as an assistant and also did curriculum development for the health strand with the local authority.
I 'll get my coat...

[Betsysgr8]

All the more confusing for me then Jane!

I'm a nursery officer in a Reception class. I love working in the EYFS, the little ones always keep you on your toes!!

I was a teacher of History and English in a comprehensive (11-16 years) in Sooth Sheels man.... (or, if coming from south of Durham, South Shields near Sunderland)

Then went into adult education... and now I make chutney.

Is an erstwhile, hippyish, fun lovin' teacher allowed in this tent?

Yes! Everone is allowed in the tent-if you are a teacher or have ever been inspired by a teacher. Now @daydreamer21 , I have some questions for you as I suspect we both work with littlies. What does a Nursery Officer do? What is a Reception Class? And what does EYFS stand for please ?
Xxx julianna

Yes! Everone is allowed in the tent-if you are a teacher or have ever been inspired by a teacher. Now @daydreamer21 , I have some questions for you as I suspect we both work with littlies. What does a Nursery Officer do? What is a Reception Class? And what does EYFS stand for please ?
Xxx julianna

Hi Julianna,
a Nursery Officer is someone who is trained to work specifically with children aged birth to 6yrs 11months old. Mostly Nursery Officers work within the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Because I work in a state school, I am class based. I work alongside a teacher, and pretty much do everything the teacher does (teaching classes, assessment, classroom management, small group work) the only thing we aren't responsible for is planning. Reception is the first year a child is formally in school, between the ages of 4 and 5 years old. It may be called Kindergarten where you are Hopefully that's answered some of your questions

Dreamer xxx

Thanks Dreamer. How lovely.
Xxx julianna
We have something introduced 3 years ago to Australia which is EYLF ( Early Years Learning Framework) which is our curriculum for child care centres and preschools.

I am a professor at a graduate university. In addition to standard classroom and lab teaching, I help run workshops and I do alot of outreach to local kids to get them excited about science. I can tell you in Japanese how to extract DNA from a banana.

サリーオ、日本語をはなします！すばらしい！わたしのにほんごがへたです。。。

ありがと、マリアン、すごい。

Very cool Maryann.

You are all having so much fun that I'm coming in. I taught science and math in middle school/high school for a couple of years ages ago. 11-15 year olds. I think I would have done better at it (and stuck with it longer) had I already raised children. I was too young, and not up to the discipline side of it. And it is hard to be an authority figure when most of the kids are taller than you!

My daughter has chosen elementary school. Wise, as she looks young and is only a bit taller than me. She is a first year teacher with a class of 4th and 5th graders (age 9-11), all of whom are native Spanish speakers. It's hard, but she's doing great.

I'm not much for wine, so I'll bring in a six-pack of India Pale Ale.

Yes, High school, 11 - 15 year olds, is the Gulag of education in my opinion. I did it for about 13 years and it never got easy. Children that age know everything and if they don't know it, it's not relevant. "I've never heard of it' in indignant tones, is to say - I don't need to know about it. But primary school - or Elementary in North American speak, is much easier. The children are keen to learn and out to please and impress. They delight in picking up litter in the play ground. The little ones put their arms around your legs as you are talking to them on the mat. It's a joy.

@@maryanne I took 2 reads before I realised you were saying something to me! I hardly know any kanji. But I can read hiragana and katakana.

I still haven't got that tagging thing right yet.

Welcome one and all to the teachers'tent, including Sunday School teachers, retired teachers, lab techies and all.

I still haven't got that tagging thing right yet.

You have to click on "Post Reply" which is a couple of lines below "quick reply".
Then, above the text box that you write your reply in, are a series of buttons. The next-to-rightmost one is "tag". Click that and then type the username you are tagging between the [tag] symbols.

Try it!