Spreading the Bloggin' Love: Teacher Blogs About Teaching in London, England

Every few months I like to update ya'all on the blogs I read, particularly written by those amazing Canadian and American teachers and teaching assistants working in London, England with Classroom Canada.

Some reflect on their adventures in teaching, but most just write about what it's like to live in London, where they travel and what they get up to on their weekends.  Some use their blogs to share resources and information to help others make the move to teaching in the UK.


Here's the current list of blogs I read on a regular basis, in no particular order:

Mike's Blog - Mike is new to blogging, and shares his stories of life in London from a football-loving- Torontonian's perspective.   It's refreshing to read a guy's perspective (most of our teachers are women, simply because 80% of teachers in Canada are women.  Weird right? Where are all the male-teachers?)

BangersNMash -  Shannon is a new teacher and she's doing exceptionally well in our schools.  She has an upbeat, outgoing personality that shines through her writing.  Please leave comments and encourage her to write more.

Brand New Socks - This blog reminds me why bloggers got started in the first place.  Her writing is so reflective that I often feel like I am peaking into the secret diary of a stranger.  If you have time to read only one blog, this would be the one that will keep you coming back for more.

Britain and Beyond - Bryn is a teaching assistant, a swing dance teacher, a drama specialist and so, so much more.  Her writing is fresh, young, upbeat and also quite reflective.

Get an Eyepatch, Man - Amie and Morgan are on a mission to post every day that they are living in London as a teaching assistant/teacher team.  Love it!

Heather in the UK - This is Heather's second year teaching in London with us, and she only posts once a month or so, but every post is a delight to read.

Jessica and Grant in London - Yet another teaching assistant/teacher team, Jessica and Grant have recently arrived in London and post their pictures and stories to share with us all.  You might recognize them from the Scavenger Hunt pictures that I posted last week - Grant looks particularly sharp in his winning sunglasses.

Just Take Me Where I've Never Been Before - Erika is also in her second year teaching in London with Classroom Canada, and while she thinks she's "boring" (read her most recent post), I think her writing gives us an insight into what it's like to live and teach in London over time.  Eventually, it stops being so new and scary, and everyone gets settled into life in London.  I absolutely love Erika's writing and think she should publish a book at some point.

Jodi And Tyson - Jodi and Tyson have been blogging for a while now and share heaps of resources and advice for other Canadians considering the big move across the pond.  Scroll through their older posts to see their advice about how to make the move easier as they literally walk you through the steps they took before moving to teach in London.

Mike and Heather Save the World - Hmm...another teacher/teaching assistant team. I sense a theme here.  Check out their pictures of Scotland - they're stunning.

Phoebe, All Over - Phoebe's blog has a fresh, pink, girlie vibe with a strong history focus.  Or should I say herstory?

Songs of Innocence - Joann and Maggie are two teacher friends from Vancouver and their photos are amazing!  Joann started reading my blog last year during teacher's college and eventually managed to convince Maggie to leave the comforts of Vancouver for the excitement of London life. They're both doing exceptionally well in our schools and their positive attitudes shine through their photos.

Where is Kirbie?  Remember Kirbie from her comments on my blog?  Well, she's now teaching in London and working full-time. Drop by and see how she's doing now.

Are there any blogs you would like to recommend?  Please share your two cents below.

If you would like to become one of our outstanding teachers or teaching assistants in London, just apply through our website. Also, be sure to read the Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians. Sign up for our newsletters and help spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

Blogs About Teaching: EduCarnival and You

We are not alone.

There are others just like us.  Teaching, writing, reading, reflecting, researching, blogging.

Educarnival is a blogger's paradise, where education bloggers submit their favourite posts and readers like you and me can enjoy them collectively.

This week's carnival is up at Epic Adventures Are Often Uncomfortable, which I have to say, is my favourite title for a blog. Brilliant! 

To see past educarnivals, check out this link.  You can also host the event at your blog, a great way to support the education blogging community while attracting new readers.

If you would like to become one of our outstanding teachers or teaching assistants in London, just apply through our website. Also, be sure to read the Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians. Sign up for our newsletters and help spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

Jobs for Teachers in London: Just What Are We Recruiting For Now?

Now that most of our teachers for the 2009/2010 academic year are settled into life and teaching in London, it's time to look ahead to next year.  We are currently arranging interviews with teachers and teaching assistants for positions that start in April 2010 and September 2010.

For all those teachers and teaching assistants who are thinking about moving to London to teach, here's what we like to see:

• Secondary Teachers with the following teachable subjects (at least 2 of this list): science, math, computers, design & technology.  There will be limited positions in: English, History, Geography and Modern Foreign Languages.  Secondary Teachers with experience in Primary Teaching and Special Educational Needs will be prioritized.
• Primary Teachers - particularly those with experience across all age groups.
• Special Educational Needs Teachers.  Mild Learning Disabilities, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties and Severe Learning Disabilities.
• Teaching Assistants & Early Childhood Educators.  Experienced teaching assistants, nursery & reception teachers (ECE's).

For all of these positions, we are looking for the following skills & experiences:

• Experience abroad in some capacity is a definite asset.  Teaching ESL, volunteering abroad, working abroad. 
• Flexibility, adaptability and a "can-do" attitude. 
• Easy-going.
• Inner-city teaching experience is a definite asset.
• Outstanding references.
• Ability to teach across various subjects and age groups.
• Sense of humour.
• Optimistic, positive approach to teaching and living in London.
• Involvement in extracurricular activities (sports, drama, clubs, dance...anything that shows your interest in learning outside of the traditional classroom).

To apply to join our team of outstanding teachers and teaching assistants, just send your resume and cover letter to apply at classroomcanada dot com.  Be sure to outline why you want to teach in London, and specifically why you want to work with Classroom Canada.  You will need to be eligible to work in the UK, so be sure to check out the visa page on our website.

Gratitude and the Positive Teacher: How to See the Silver Lining on a Tough Day

Regular readers of this blog will know that I often talk about "being positive" and that teachers who move to London to teach and keep that positive attitude strong do exceptionally well in our schools.  They love inner city teaching and can see every silver lining presented to them.

So what am I on about?

Today, Siobhan Curious over at Classroom as Microcosm sheds some light on gratitude and the positive thinking teacher.  She points out all the reasons she's grateful today, even though she could have woken up to think, "I have a nasty cold. I'm too busy. This one student is driving me nuts!"  Instead, she looks to all the reasons she's grateful and switches that Monday Morning Blues to a "YES! I CAN!" attitude.  This is the sign of a great teacher.

What I really appreciate about Siobhan's post is that she brings up the issue of that one naughty student.  One student can feel like the whole class if you don't keep it in perspective. I know, I've been there and done that many times in my own teaching in London schools.

In fact, I still do it with Classroom Canada.  This week, I asked for feedback from our teachers in London about how our Professional Development Week went. I wanted their honest feedback, and I got it. 

95% of the teachers who replied absolutely loved the week.  The teachers that attended every session, even though they were tired from teaching during the days, said they loved it.  They loved the Run with Richard, the PD workshops with Sophie Walker, the Bloggers Bash and the Scavenger Hunt.  Those that could only attend one session loved it and regretted not attending the others.

But then there's that one person who says "Well, I didn't like it at all!"

And who do I turn my attention to?  That one person. Of course I do!

So, I did some reflecting. I did some research. I looked inside my heart of hearts, and realized...negative feedback is a good thing.  I need it, I asked for it, and I can make changes because of it.  But it is just one person's opinion, and each opinion deserves to be heard including the others who loved it.  So am I listening? 

Are you?  When you look out at a classroom of students, do you see the students who are doing exactly what you asked?  Do you see the students desperate to learn? To listen? To engage?  Or do you just see the one that's driving you nuts?  Or the two?  Or three...

If you would like to become one of our outstanding teachers or teaching assistants in London, just apply through our website. Also, be sure to read the Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians. Sign up for our newsletters and help spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

Why Are Classroom Canada Teachers & Teaching Assistants so Outstanding?

I'm back in our Canadian office after a couple of weeks in London with our teachers and teaching assistants.  It was a whirlwind tour to say the least, but I loved every minute of it. 

I heard a lot of feedback from schools, my colleagues and Sophie Walker (a workshop leader) about the Classroom Canada teachers & teaching assistants.

Here's what they had to say:

• The Canadian teachers and teaching assistants in London this year are much more prepared than any other group, including the Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders.
• Our teachers are more adaptable, more flexible and more easy-going than any other group.  Less work in secondary schools? Not a problem! Our teachers can teach primary, secondary and special educational needs. They adapt. They learn. They just "get on with it."
• Teachers who arrived in London with other agencies are desperately trying to join Classroom Canada.  They say the others promised "guaranteed work" and they still haven't worked yet, nor are they getting paid.  I have taken a few bright sparks under my wing, but to be fair, I have to prioritize the teachers that have been with us for months.
• The teachers and teaching assistants who read the Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians are doing exceptionally well in our schools as they use the UK terminology and have the basic understanding they need to excel in London schools. 
• Our teachers and teaching assistants have an instant community with each other, as most live in our accommodations in Central London.  This means that they aren't in a panic to meet others in the same boat.  If anything, they seek out other friends besides Canadians!  Some join Rugby or Football teams, some swing dance, some jog in groups, some join London book clubs. Whatever they do, they get out there and enjoy their new lives in London.
• The one common theme is that our teachers are ridiculously positive people.  They see the cup as half-full, take every "challenge" as an opportunity, and realize how amazing their adventure in teaching in London really is.  This attitude spreads to their teaching and their students.  Head Teachers (aka principals) pick up on it instantly and request our teachers back day after day.  Or they offer them full-time teaching contracts on the spot.  They make room for our teachers.  Oftsed even gave one of our teachers an "oustanding" review just a couple of weeks ago, and this teacher had only been in the UK for a few weeks.  Now, that's what I'm talking about.

So, this brings me to next year's group of teachers. I'm already receiving applications from teachers wishing to work in London in September 2010.  I'm also interviewing teachers for May 2010, and I must say, the CV's I've received have been very impressive.

Here's what I'm looking for in teacher applications:

1. Cover letters that state why the teacher wants to work in London and why they want to work with Classroom Canada.  Put that in there and you're sure to get a phone call from me offering an interview.  It really is that simple!  Trust me, most people don't bother to write a good cover letter, and the whole "to whom it may concern" or "dear timeplan" thing gets a little tiresome.  Read this blog post to learn more.
2. Experience abroad in some capacity is a definite asset.  International development, volunteer work, teaching ESL, teaching abroad, even just traveling abroad is better than nothing.
3. Show me more than your teaching life.  I want to see your excurricular involvement and your life outside of teaching.  Play sports? Tell me about it.  Swing dance?  Hip-hop-belly dance?  Tell me about it.  Active member of your book club?  What are you reading now? I want to see the whole person, not just the teacher.  The best teachers love learning!  What are you learning about right now?
4. Inner city teaching experience.  Classroom Canada recruits teachers to work in inner city London schools.  Not rural.  Not the outskirts.  Inner city London schools. That's what we do.  So, what does that mean? Diverse, multicultural, some rich, some poor, intense inner city schools.  If you have experience (or even just did your teaching practicums) in inner city schools, then tell me about it. Toronto? Montreal? Vancouver? Ottawa? New York? LA? Chicago?  Tell me about it.  Why do you love it?
5. How did you hear about us? I used to advertise in all the typical places, apply to teach (now called "applytoeducation"), facebook, google. But now I don't.  In fact, I haven't advertised in about 8 months.  Why not? Because the vast majority of our teachers come from word of mouth, and to me, that means more than anything else.  The feedback about our teachers has never been so positive, so obviously it's working.  So, if you know someone with Classroom Canada, tell me!  If you don't, but you read this blog, tell me!  How did you stumble across this little teaching agency that could?

That's about it folks.  If you would like to become one of our outstanding teachers or teaching assistants in London, just apply through our website.  Also, be sure to read the Guide to Teaching in London: A Survival Guide for Canadians.  Sign up for our newsletters and help spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

Questions? Comments?  Please share your thoughts below.

Other posts you might enjoy:
Teacher photos for CVs/Resumes
Do's and Don'ts of Teacher Career Fairs
Typical Interview Questions for Teaching Abroad
How to Write a Resume/CV for Teaching in London

Armistice Day aka Veterans Day aka Remembrance Day

It's a holiday here in British Columbia for Remembrance Day, but I think the rest of Canada is still hard at work.  The UK calls the 11th of November "Armistice Day", and I believe the USA still calls it "Veterans Day."  Regardless of what we call it, we all take our moment of silence, wear poppies and remember.

I'm also hard at work, going through 467 emails (!) from new applicants trying to work with Classroom Canada as teachers or teaching assistants in London.  Wow.

For my grandfather - I love you and will always remember your courage and strength.  Thank you.

Photos from the 2nd Annual Classroom Canada London Scavenger Hunt

Wow.  The Classroom Canada PD week has come and gone. It all happened so quickly!

Here are some photos from Friday night's London Scavenger Hunt - my favourite event that takes our teachers and teaching assistants to the streets of London.  Silly times were had by all!