I had dinner last night with my partner, my sister and her partner. My sister's partner's ex was in the education industry. She was a school teacher. My sister's partner is now has a lot of friends still teaching or involved in the education industry. (I hope you're keeping up and I haven't confused you).
We were having dinner and I asked my sister if I'd told her the story of how I met my students. She said no. I began to tell her how I met my students last year and what happened. I also filled her in on what's been happening over the last few days.
She had a strange look on her face. The kind of look you have when you've done something and your trying to hide it from your parent.
She said to me "Yes we've heard about what happened".
The rumour mill has definitely been working here in my regional town.
Once I'd explained that one of my students knew me and my partner she understood how it happened. The rumour she and her partner had heard was that I introduced myself at the meet and greet and told the class I was gay.
I wonder if that's what many people think?
My principal came in to my room no less than 4 times the first day of school. On one visit she was smiling and amazed at the technology I had used to engage my students. I am hoping that I become an excellent teacher and the fact that I'm gay becomes insignificant.
The student that pushed herself back under the desk at the meet and greet last year has been one of my more engaged students. She is asking for jobs and helping. We are building a very positive relationship as I am with the rest of the students.
The question came up during class last week "Are you single Sir?". We were completing a task. I explained that this task had nothing to do with my personal life and we need to get back on task. There was no need for any other comment. The class were happy with this answer...for now.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
One more talk before we begin
The first three days of school were PD. A good start and a good way to get to know other staff members.
My section leader met me with a strange look. Maybe it was just me feeling vulnerable. He just seemed to be uncomfortable when he met me this year.
It didn't take long for him to feel comfortable and was supportive.
Over the 3 days of PD everything seemed to go well. All staff were very supportive and offering a lot of advice.
Around a half an hour before Thursday finished. Joy, the Principal came to visit me in my room.
"Now Richard you know how I called you at the end of last year regarding that matter."
I should have let her say it. She couldn't.
I replied with 'You mean the fact that one of the students knew I was in a same-sex relationship?"
"Yes that's it."
Joy finished by asking me if I had a plan if that came up again when the students began.
I explained to Joy that I felt like I regretted telling the students anything about my personal life. I felt like I should have kept my mouth shut. But then I realised from my research in to other teachers experience that you are best to be truthful about your life and not make big deal about it. I told her I would send her links to the Department's support for same-sex attracted teachers and there was some useful information there for her if she needed it.
She explained that "the students were best not to know about my 'situation' because really they are just 10 and 11 years old and we do have a lot of different cultures in the school".
She wanted to make sure I was ready with an answer to give me students in case the question of 'are you in a relationship Sir? comes up again.
I told Joy I would tell them about my partner but give them no more personal information that what was needed.
My partner was very angry when I told him Joy spoke with me again. He said if she speaks with me again in regards to this I should ask "Is there a problem here?". When she answers "No there is no problem". I need to ask why we are discussing this again.
My section leader met me with a strange look. Maybe it was just me feeling vulnerable. He just seemed to be uncomfortable when he met me this year.
It didn't take long for him to feel comfortable and was supportive.
Over the 3 days of PD everything seemed to go well. All staff were very supportive and offering a lot of advice.
Around a half an hour before Thursday finished. Joy, the Principal came to visit me in my room.
"Now Richard you know how I called you at the end of last year regarding that matter."
I should have let her say it. She couldn't.
I replied with 'You mean the fact that one of the students knew I was in a same-sex relationship?"
"Yes that's it."
Joy finished by asking me if I had a plan if that came up again when the students began.
I explained to Joy that I felt like I regretted telling the students anything about my personal life. I felt like I should have kept my mouth shut. But then I realised from my research in to other teachers experience that you are best to be truthful about your life and not make big deal about it. I told her I would send her links to the Department's support for same-sex attracted teachers and there was some useful information there for her if she needed it.
She explained that "the students were best not to know about my 'situation' because really they are just 10 and 11 years old and we do have a lot of different cultures in the school".
She wanted to make sure I was ready with an answer to give me students in case the question of 'are you in a relationship Sir? comes up again.
I told Joy I would tell them about my partner but give them no more personal information that what was needed.
My partner was very angry when I told him Joy spoke with me again. He said if she speaks with me again in regards to this I should ask "Is there a problem here?". When she answers "No there is no problem". I need to ask why we are discussing this again.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Time changes the way you think
Its amazing how you can sort things through in your mind after allow some time to pass by. I have been speaking to many people about my situation and they have been very supportive. My partner has been excellent with support. He gives me a chance to talk things over and also to discuss all kinds of scenarios.
The research I'be been doing on support for same sex attracted teachers has been pretty good. Initially I couldn't find a lot of stuff within Australia. I found a very interesting video out of the UK.
http://www.teachers.tv/videos/gay-teachers
This video helped me to realise that it is not a big deal to have a same sex attracted teacher. For me if I keep it 'not a big deal' then the students will respond with 'its not a big deal'.
I have also checked out the Department of Education website. There are some wonderful scenarios on the Departments website regarding situations that same sex attracted teachers may find themselves in.
Thanks to franklymydear. Tiffany has supplied the Department document which supports same sex attracted teachers.
http://www.
This is wonderful reading. Your realise there is good support for us out there for us.
My plan for the next few days is to have a chat with the Principal. I think it would be good for her to have a read of the Departments support for same sex attracted employees. The document also gives her and us responses for teachers, parents and students in relation to having a same sex attracted teacher.
At this time I'm more excited about the actual teaching than anything else. I've promised myself to have fun this year. I think I can do that with my grade 6 class.
I begin at the school next Tuesday. My students begin on Friday next week.
The research I'be been doing on support for same sex attracted teachers has been pretty good. Initially I couldn't find a lot of stuff within Australia. I found a very interesting video out of the UK.
http://www.teachers.tv/videos/gay-teachers
This video helped me to realise that it is not a big deal to have a same sex attracted teacher. For me if I keep it 'not a big deal' then the students will respond with 'its not a big deal'.
I have also checked out the Department of Education website. There are some wonderful scenarios on the Departments website regarding situations that same sex attracted teachers may find themselves in.
Thanks to franklymydear. Tiffany has supplied the Department document which supports same sex attracted teachers.
http://www.
This is wonderful reading. Your realise there is good support for us out there for us.
My plan for the next few days is to have a chat with the Principal. I think it would be good for her to have a read of the Departments support for same sex attracted employees. The document also gives her and us responses for teachers, parents and students in relation to having a same sex attracted teacher.
At this time I'm more excited about the actual teaching than anything else. I've promised myself to have fun this year. I think I can do that with my grade 6 class.
I begin at the school next Tuesday. My students begin on Friday next week.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Your private life is your private life
I need to make everyone aware that all names have been changed in this blog to protect the identity of all involved.
I received a phone call from the principal of the school I'm working at. The principal's name is Joy.
Joy began the phone call by saying
"Richard I don't know how to approach this subject so I'm just going to come straight out with it.". "After the children met with you they went back to their grade 5 classes and were saying some terrible things. Can you tell me what was discussed at the meet and greet?"
I knew where this was heading. It seems like this is the first time Joy had experienced anything like this. She was clearly uncomfortable. From my observations and experiences Joy is an excellent Principal. She is very efficient. Absolutely dedicated to the school and the students. She is very supportive of the staff and leads the teachers by encouraging innovative 21st century teaching methods.
I told Joy that I knew what she was referring to. I explained how one of the children's Mum's had met myself and my partner before. She asked me what my partner's name was and I told her. At this point the rest of the class realised I was in a same sex relationship. I explained that no other details were discussed and it was not my intention to bring this up at our first meeting.
Joy explained to me that my private life is my private life. She gave me an example of when she taught she only told students very minimal details of her private life. In some cases she didn't even share that she had children. I didn't ask the question "Did you tell the students you were married?" I'm sure that would have come up in conversation when she met the students.
I told Joy that I understand her concerns. I explained again that it wasn't my intention and that it took me by surprise. I told the students the bare minimum that they needed to know and changed the subject back to our class and our learning for 2011. However the fact their grade 6 teacher is gay was obviously all they cared about now.
Joy was a bit unsure of what to say now. She explained to me that this is something that I need to deal with in class. This would be a challenge for me. I told her I understood that.
This phone call reminded me of the days of being called into the Principal's office. The churning feeling in your stomach and the feeling that 'I've done something wrong'.
At the moment I am regretting telling the students I have a male partner. I am regretting not stopping the conversation and I think I have created a really tough year for myself and for the school I'll be working for.
I can't sleep at the moment and its on my mind constantly. I need to talk to someone about this.
I received a phone call from the principal of the school I'm working at. The principal's name is Joy.
Joy began the phone call by saying
"Richard I don't know how to approach this subject so I'm just going to come straight out with it.". "After the children met with you they went back to their grade 5 classes and were saying some terrible things. Can you tell me what was discussed at the meet and greet?"
I knew where this was heading. It seems like this is the first time Joy had experienced anything like this. She was clearly uncomfortable. From my observations and experiences Joy is an excellent Principal. She is very efficient. Absolutely dedicated to the school and the students. She is very supportive of the staff and leads the teachers by encouraging innovative 21st century teaching methods.
I told Joy that I knew what she was referring to. I explained how one of the children's Mum's had met myself and my partner before. She asked me what my partner's name was and I told her. At this point the rest of the class realised I was in a same sex relationship. I explained that no other details were discussed and it was not my intention to bring this up at our first meeting.
Joy explained to me that my private life is my private life. She gave me an example of when she taught she only told students very minimal details of her private life. In some cases she didn't even share that she had children. I didn't ask the question "Did you tell the students you were married?" I'm sure that would have come up in conversation when she met the students.
I told Joy that I understand her concerns. I explained again that it wasn't my intention and that it took me by surprise. I told the students the bare minimum that they needed to know and changed the subject back to our class and our learning for 2011. However the fact their grade 6 teacher is gay was obviously all they cared about now.
Joy was a bit unsure of what to say now. She explained to me that this is something that I need to deal with in class. This would be a challenge for me. I told her I understood that.
This phone call reminded me of the days of being called into the Principal's office. The churning feeling in your stomach and the feeling that 'I've done something wrong'.
At the moment I am regretting telling the students I have a male partner. I am regretting not stopping the conversation and I think I have created a really tough year for myself and for the school I'll be working for.
I can't sleep at the moment and its on my mind constantly. I need to talk to someone about this.
"What's your partner's name Sir?"
Welcome to my blog.
The reason I began this blog was to write about my experiences of my first year of teaching. I have just finished my Grad DipEd and have been employed in a primary school as a grade 6 teacher.
The town I'm working in is a regional Victorian town with population of around 30,000. The town also services the surrounding area of around 60,000.
My background is that I'm 41 years old. I have been in a professional career for the last 21 years. I have been involved in the creative industry. I was married for 15 years, I have 3 kids and came out to my wife approximately 6 years ago.
Since coming out to my wife we tried to make our marriage last. Then after some time we decided to end our relationship. Our relationship now is pretty good. Its about as good as you would expect. We share responsibilities of the kids and they stay with share the care 50%. My eldest is 18, female, then male 16 and my youngest is male 7.
The global financial crisis hit my business pretty hard. I thought two years ago that I need to plan to give myself some more security for the next 20 years. I decided to top up my undergrad qualification with a Grad DipEd. My undergrad was a visual arts degree. The course I completed was wonderful. It was a Grad DipEd (Middle Years) teaching qualification. This course included a lot of 21st Century teaching and learning strategies and methods.
My aim was to apply for a secondary school teaching position in Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Photography areas. I have applied for a full time teaching position in a local secondary school and the vacancy was pulled.
I was then approached to apply for the primary school position. I interviewed and received the position. It was grade 6 which I was very happy with. If I was going to teach primary I felt I could receive the most feedback from upper primary school students.
Last week I met my class for the first time. It went well. I introduced myself, gave the students and idea of who I was and what my background was. I also gave them a copy of my welcome letter. This letter outlined my ideas about our classroom and the learning that would happen in our class next year. I gave few details about myself and a contact email for all students and parents.
We played a drawing game, its kind of like chinese whispers but in a drawing game. We were just about to finish and one of the students looked at the pic on the welcome letter of myself and said "my Mum knows you and your partner". I said "Does she?". She said "Yes, what's your partner's name Sir?". I answered "My partner's name is Matthew".
The girl that asked the question did not have a problem with that. The two girls next to her began to giggle. The girl sitting next to me moved so far back under the table that I could no longer see her. The boys on the other side of the room said "What our teacher is gay?".
Students from other groups were beginning to head back to their classes after meeting their new teachers. I said to all the students that it was wonderful to meet them all and they began to leave the room. The girl under the table made her way out of the class while keeping her distance from me and said "Thank God we can get our of here now".
This is how I met my grade 6 class for 2011.
The reason I began this blog was to write about my experiences of my first year of teaching. I have just finished my Grad DipEd and have been employed in a primary school as a grade 6 teacher.
The town I'm working in is a regional Victorian town with population of around 30,000. The town also services the surrounding area of around 60,000.
My background is that I'm 41 years old. I have been in a professional career for the last 21 years. I have been involved in the creative industry. I was married for 15 years, I have 3 kids and came out to my wife approximately 6 years ago.
Since coming out to my wife we tried to make our marriage last. Then after some time we decided to end our relationship. Our relationship now is pretty good. Its about as good as you would expect. We share responsibilities of the kids and they stay with share the care 50%. My eldest is 18, female, then male 16 and my youngest is male 7.
The global financial crisis hit my business pretty hard. I thought two years ago that I need to plan to give myself some more security for the next 20 years. I decided to top up my undergrad qualification with a Grad DipEd. My undergrad was a visual arts degree. The course I completed was wonderful. It was a Grad DipEd (Middle Years) teaching qualification. This course included a lot of 21st Century teaching and learning strategies and methods.
My aim was to apply for a secondary school teaching position in Visual Arts, Visual Communication, Photography areas. I have applied for a full time teaching position in a local secondary school and the vacancy was pulled.
I was then approached to apply for the primary school position. I interviewed and received the position. It was grade 6 which I was very happy with. If I was going to teach primary I felt I could receive the most feedback from upper primary school students.
Last week I met my class for the first time. It went well. I introduced myself, gave the students and idea of who I was and what my background was. I also gave them a copy of my welcome letter. This letter outlined my ideas about our classroom and the learning that would happen in our class next year. I gave few details about myself and a contact email for all students and parents.
We played a drawing game, its kind of like chinese whispers but in a drawing game. We were just about to finish and one of the students looked at the pic on the welcome letter of myself and said "my Mum knows you and your partner". I said "Does she?". She said "Yes, what's your partner's name Sir?". I answered "My partner's name is Matthew".
The girl that asked the question did not have a problem with that. The two girls next to her began to giggle. The girl sitting next to me moved so far back under the table that I could no longer see her. The boys on the other side of the room said "What our teacher is gay?".
Students from other groups were beginning to head back to their classes after meeting their new teachers. I said to all the students that it was wonderful to meet them all and they began to leave the room. The girl under the table made her way out of the class while keeping her distance from me and said "Thank God we can get our of here now".
This is how I met my grade 6 class for 2011.
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