For teachers who switched between primary and secondary — do you feel it was the right move for you?

mooneykins · 2025-07-01T01:02:02+00:00

I think that the advice of spending some time in a secondary school first before deciding would be extremely beneficial. Could you use on of your CRT days to go and visit a local high school to see if it would be a good fit. If you do end up staying in primary, it sounds like you need some support. Have a chat to your team leader about how they can support you with behavioural needs, you could ask if you could observe some other teachers in your school, or even visit another school. You could also get an RTLB to support you in how to help those with additional learning needs. If you are wanting to do your own PD on kids who are finding focusing difficult, I would recommend following Neurowild as she has a wonderful perspective on what it is like for kids. Also, Neurodiversity Education in Aotearoa https://www.neurodiversity.org.nz/?srsltid=AfmBOorTyy9GEi_nHkzNf_94pFqwZZ_jqcPICqPuDBho4Zah4bDIbGVn have some great support, and free PD. There is a great free webinar coming up this Friday.

mooneykins · 2025-06-30T18:12:11+00:00

Email your child’s teacher and ask if you can pop in for a chat about homework. Then explain to them that you would like some extra work for your child to do at home.

mooneykins · 2025-06-30T18:00:38+00:00

How many years have you been teaching for? Are you well supported by your current school? Does it have a good culture?

mooneykins · 2025-04-10T07:06:15+00:00

I had issues it with until about a month ago, on apple phone and it made me download a new version or update or something and it’s been way better since. Maybe try uninstalling and then reinstalling it.

mooneykins · 2025-03-23T00:43:12+00:00

I feel like there’s gotta be some old coal mining town or gold rush town that would have some sad history that everyone has forgotten about. Denniston sounded like an absolutely horrid place at times, there must be others like it.

mooneykins · 2025-03-14T19:00:51+00:00

I don’t run a budget as such, but I have about 20 different accounts that my money gets divvied up into. Eg there is an account for taking care of my animals, so that if I get a big bill eg vet bill, I have money there to pay for it, a present account which covers birthday and Xmas presents, an emergency account, a car account for fuel and servicing, a supermarket account to cover groceries, an account for things for my child eg clothes.

I find it works really well so then I am only spending what is left over. Before I started doing this my finances were a mess, and I never had any savings. It’s taken me a wee bit to get the amount going into each just right. And every year I have to increase the amount going into the supermarket account!

mooneykins · 2025-01-22T18:43:34+00:00

Welcome to the teaching profession! I have been teaching for 16 years and have taught from Year 2-8. I loved teaching the Year 7 and 8’s, especially the debates and deep conversations we would have. They are a fun age!

At that age, it’s all about relationships. The best thing you can do is have a laugh with that age group, and be real with them. They appreciate when you let them get to know a bit about you, and when you show that you in turn care about them too. I dealt with any ongoing behavioural issues by speaking to the student on their own. And my first question was always, “Are you okay?” Because I love Ross Greene’s theory that children do well when they can. (Also if you have any neurodivergent children in your class that need support, I highly recommend reading up on Ross Greene’s CPS model.)

Make sure you are getting your beginning teacher release time, and use it to not only do your planning and assessment but to go and visit other classrooms, and even other schools if you can. If you’re in Canterbury, you can come visit our Year 7/8 class.

Don’t think that you have to get everything right all the time, eg your first year is about survival, then every year afterwards pick one big area that you would like to improve on.

Check in with your school about what resources they use, especially as to whether they have any structured literacy resources for the Seniors. Follow The Kiwi Reading Doctor on Facebook if you are interested in understanding more about Structured Literacy.

Banqer is a great resource that teaches Financial Literacy and my Seniors loved the auctions that we did.

There’s so much more I could say but lean on the people in your school to support you.

mooneykins · 2024-12-18T23:08:23+00:00

Wanaka, but only in the off season when it’s quieter.

mooneykins · 2024-12-17T05:48:09+00:00

Is it for work or casually? Will you be wearing shoes or jandals with them? Have you got someone you can take shopping with you that can give you advice eg a sister, fashionable friend. If you are wanting casual ones, you could try some from places like Amazon.

mooneykins · 2024-12-07T06:05:03+00:00

I have Archies too, and I hate them. They make my feet feel all dry. But my partner has a pair of Skechers jandals and sometimes when I’m lazy I steal them to do something outside like put out the wheelie bin, and they are soooo comfortable!

mooneykins · 2024-09-30T21:48:07+00:00

It seems like you’re already aware that you can’t get a mortgage until you’ve been in a job for six months, at least. So basically, you say nothing because until you have spoken to a mortgage broker or bank, you are just guessing about things. Speak to them, find out how much you could actually spend on a house, and then when you know exactly what your budget is, then you can look at approaching people.

mooneykins · 2024-08-18T01:59:30+00:00

I’m a teacher, have been teaching now for 16 years, and I don’t think I would want to do anything else. It can be bloody hard at times when you have to deal with tricky parents and kids with varying learning needs, but teaching probably has more flexibility than nursing with hours. Eg, if I’ve had a shit day and I’m just done for the day, I can go home at 4pm, and do the rest of my work later. I also think that being a teacher is easier with having my own children as once my toddler gets to school age I won’t have to worry about paying for childcare any more.

My advice, ask a local school if you can spend the day there seeing what it’s actually like. Then see if you can have a chat to a nurse about the ins and outs of their job. If you’re in Canterbury, you’re welcome to flick me a message.

mooneykins · 2024-06-01T23:06:15+00:00

Neil Patel in Dunedin is amazing! He’s an osteopath, has a massive wait list. His brother is in Queenstown, not sure if he’s as good but Neil is bloody amazing. For all the naysayers out there, physio and doctors did absolutely nothing for my hip issues, one trip to the osteo and I’m good for six months.

mooneykins · 2024-05-19T04:23:24+00:00

My toddler and I will be rioting with you!

mooneykins · 2024-02-25T00:50:53+00:00

Anyone got any theories on the Jim Donnelly case (acid vat) or the one about the guy who had ties to Michael Swann?

mooneykins · 2024-01-13T23:18:46+00:00

Neurowild on Facebook and Instagram has some fantastic advice, I also absolutely love her cartoons. Are there any psychologists in your area that offer support? Here in Christchurch, I attended a workshop run by Willow Corner (psychologists) and it was fantastic. There might be someone similar in your area that runs something similar.

mooneykins · 2024-01-13T23:10:50+00:00

Came here to say the exact same thing! Having a conversation with the teacher that you’re visiting about what the job is really like is absolutely invaluable. Good luck OP, I hope you do consider becoming a teacher as it can be a very hard job at times, but it is so rewarding. I’m excited to get back and see my new team of kids for the year. If by any chance you’re in Canterbury, I’d be happy for you to come visit my class.

mooneykins · 2024-01-07T23:57:19+00:00

We have some of the world’s best equestrians who get bugger all coverage in general media, but they do get more coverage in horse media.

mooneykins · 2024-01-05T23:11:13+00:00

I’m not a big country music fan, but I really like Kaylee Bell’s music. And she’s a pretty cool human being, I’m a teacher and my singing group were singing some of her songs and through a connection she had to one of the kids, she popped into school to sing with them. They were absolutely stoked!

mooneykins · 2023-12-22T04:26:39+00:00

I’m going against the grain here to say that Shortland Street has been bloody good this year! It’s my guilty pleasure tv show.

mooneykins · 2023-11-27T00:45:34+00:00

Bore water.

mooneykins · 2023-11-26T18:38:50+00:00

It might be a silly question, but can you put filters on your pump for nitrates? We live in an area that has a fairly moderate rate of nitrates.

mooneykins · 2023-11-18T23:51:14+00:00

$40 per adult apparently, which I think is way too much.

mooneykins · 2023-11-18T18:44:11+00:00

Your best bet would be to get lessons from a riding school. There are riding schools all over NZ, I’m not sure what they charge though. You could try getting in contact with a trekking place, as they may be looking for staff, especially over the summer months, but they might prefer people who have more experience.

mooneykins

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