Right last try!
been posting for about 30 minutes and nothing seems to be going anywhere!  I really should have tried this when I wasn't feeling quite so tired.
Wow, where has the time gone?  Am really looking forward to the next two planned days as I came away from the introductory days feeling so inspired by everyone I'd met and all that we'd done.  However now it is almost upon us and I am in a panic about all that I haven't yet done.  Haven't even looked up the recipe for picalili that i'd intended to make for richard.

Anyway learning experiences...

I've been conscious lately about  a bitterness I feel towards my seconday art teacher.  I wasn't particularly gifted at art but feel at the same time, not completely without talent.  I think I was someone who was a borderline case who with the right amount, or some encouragement could have achieved something in that subject.  I also was so self conscious about everything I did so would neve have pushed myself forward to offer soemthing I had created.  He was a teacher who only acknowledged those children with obvious talent.  Our art lessons involved him painting a picture at the front of the class while we copied from behind.  I don't remember any feedback, recognition or guidance. He was completely absorbed in his own 'talent'.  In fact I remeber that the corridors of our school were lined with his creations. 
I feel let down by him.  I suppose it was a time when teachers were not expected to be accountable for their students and as a result did not need to invest in them.  Shame on you Mr C.

In the same school at the same time  I met Mr H.  He was a sociology teacher who only taught pupils from 3rd year onwards once they had chosen their options.  Before that he was a quite scary teacher only seen in assemblies.  . His style was refreshingly new at the time I think.  He woud begin in quite a formal stern way, then once the formaliites were over we would all have to take our chairs to the front and seat ourselves around his desk.  From there he would introduce a subject that would form the body of our lesson.  He would encourage discussion and debate littered with amusing anecdotes and involvement. There would be no writing or note taking.   At the end of the lesson homework would be set and we would be keen to go away and produce it.   He alwasy managed to grab your interest and make each subject relevent.   It was an effective way of teaching quite foreign to the preferred chalk and talk methods of his colleagues.  Now it may not seem a significant experience but at the time I remember being blown away by his style.  He has only just retired from his post at that same school.  I am grateful to him for the interest and attention he offered me it was a much appreciated in an otherwise bleak time.


Right.  Let's hope this posts.

see you all Friday
Harli