The end of an era (otherwise known as finally giving formal study the boot)

I submitted the final assignment in my Masters of Teaching (Primary) degree a few weeks ago. Funnily enough, I didn't feel elation or pride, I didn't feel "what now?" and didn't collapse in a tired heap (well I sort of did, but that wasn't the first thing I did.)

My very first thought upon completion of my degree was "You are so bloody lazy, you should have finished this in 3 years, not six (or maybe it was seven) and there's no real GOOD reason you didn't." I struggled with myself. Most of my friends say "I don't know how you did it in 6 years? Holding down a full time job, three kids, one of them born in the midst of the study, managing Nathan, a husband who let's face it, isn't that supportive when it comes down to the wire and volunteering at school for parent help." So on one hand I have achieved something amazing, it's a master's degree for Pete's sake, and in one camp you have the pom pom brigade waving me through, on the other side you have me.

Regardless, upon marking of said final assignment, I will have a degree which enables me to teach, and teach I shall. After 10 applications and 3 interviews, Caroline Springs College has done me the honour of offering me a job. Grade Five classroom of 24 students. I was a bit surprised as I hadn't done any teaching rounds in a senior primary classroom. I am elated, excited, scared shitless. People laugh and say "you'll manage" but I am really at a loss as to what I am supposed to do after I say "Hello Class, My name is Mrs Jackson..." *can you hear the extended silence too???*

So now to wait for my temporary Victorian Teachers Registration number, wait for my University to finish my marking and send my transcripts to VIT, wait for MSVU to send my transcripts from my first degree to VIT and then pray VIT processes it all by 31 Jan so that I can actually start teaching and don't lost my position.

Watch this space...though I may just have to start a teachers blog...submissions of friends for names for the blog that will feature "exploits of a graduate teacher, namely me" are now being considered

(PS: I love it when the word "shitless" comes up on the spell checker as incorrect. Makes me giggle.)