The head has been going on about some 'professional support' service that is being offered. The idea is that teachers have someone to talk to about the trials and tribulations of being in front of class after class of rude, reluctant and ugly teenagers. There was a little meeting after school today about it so I figured I'd go along and see what it was all about. After reading 'Yes Man' by Danny Wallace I'm trying to say yes more so this was a perfect opportunity to put it to the test.
Now I'd expect a reasonable amount of cynicism but I was one of only three staff there. Considering there's around ninety teachers in the school I wouldn't call it a great turnout. The problem is that teachers aren't the most dynamic bunch really, in spite of what you might see on Teacher Training adverts. And whilst we're on the topic don't be fooled by all those smiling faces in the classrooms. Teenagers don't smile. Ever. Unless they're on crack. Which is presumably what the kids on the advert were spending their fees on.
The meeting was about how techers needed someone to talk to, how they're trying to make it an important part of every school and how it wasn't counselling. I think the difference is that counselling is what you get if you want to sort out any problems, this is a pre-emptive strike to make sure you don't get any in the first place. Kind of like carrying an umbrella on a sunny day.
It all seemed very nice though I'm not sure I'd really want to be jabbering on about my life as a teacher. How self-absorbed/obsessive would that be? Next I'd be keeping a journal of it all! Honestly, can you imagine?
The main thing I got out of it was delaying my photocopying for tomorrow by an hour. I have a knack of jamming it up, in fact I have knack of ruining even the most idiot proof technology. I recently managed to stop a ticket machine in a car park from delivering tickets. Today I was up to my old tricks so when the copier jammed I called it a rude name rhyming with stunt. Stressed? Never.