My Little 2.0 Project

I was asked recently where I started and what scheme of work I followed. I have to say finding the starting point was the most difficult part. At the end of July it dawned on me the mammoth task I had taken on. My confidence took a big hit to the point that I nearly quit before I had really started.

My HOD had given me free reign but I had to come up with something that would flow. In the past, I have worked with a team to make such a big change to the curriculum. This time, I was going alone. The Pearson team were still creating resources and developing their scheme of work. Checking the website twice a week for updates, I found new fantastic materials were being regularly uploaded. Their Scheme of Work was regularly added to, but there was still a lack, I needed something more.

The realisation that I was not ready hit hard! I would be teaching 8 groups of GCSE English, using two completely different exams boards, as well as needing to plan for (and teach) two adult Functional Skills groups! What was I thinking???  I started to question myself, clearly I was mad or delusional. I remember at the time thinking how could I have been so naive and stupid? The sheer volume of work that lay ahead of me was overwhelming. Had I bitten off more than I could chew and built myself up to be more capable than I actually am? Now was the time I could back out, especially given that nothing was concrete. I wouldn’t have lost anything- except maybe my dignity.

I had two choices: pull those big girls’ pants up and get on with it, or run for the hills screaming, with my tail between my legs. Thankfully my stubborn side took over: I was not giving up before I had given it a chance. I owed it to my students to fill that void that was lacking. Most importantly I owed it to me- I had to prove to myself I could do more. 17 years of teaching and I was still saying working at The Lunt Fort, playing a Roman was my best job ever! Clearly something was wrong with me. I could be more, I had to be more, but more than what?  

I knew once I had a starting point everything would fall into place, but finding that the starting point was getting harder, especially with my growing frustration. I could not see the wood for the trees. I had 1 month to go and no idea of where to begin. Aden, my long suffering other half, came up with a fantastic idea: have a break! So I did just that. I put down the laptop and went for a walk with the dog.