One month in.

Over one full month in my new role as Deputy Head of the English Department has proved to be a challenge and most definitely a learning curve. With numerous questions from staff needing to be answered, a speech to approximately 150 parents, meetings with the head mistress and other senior members of staff I have experienced a lot about the day-to-day running of a Kindergarten as well as a lot about myself. My capabilities, my limitations, my skills and my attitude to early childhood education.

This role gives me scope to extend my passion for teaching young children to other teachers. I can share my thoughts, research new and exciting ideas to communicate with the staff in the area of teaching as well as administration. By giving the teachers more of a voice through communication channels that were before either non-existent or unavailable, new concerns have come to light and some of those concerns already dealt with and smoothed over. Although I have noticed that many of the concerns of individual teachers and groups of teachers alike are tricky and will take time to work through and take a lot of understanding. Often these types of concern require only a listening ear as most teachers understand the difficulties in pleasing everyone in such a diverse team of people.

I have never worked so close with adults expressing different opinions and expectations. I am always happy when 1.30pm rolls around and I go to my classroom to see my amazing class of 4/5 years old little ones. That is my little escape from the hectic meetings, paperwork, computer work and answering staff questions. I can close the door and do what I love. They make my day complete!