Story: Another day and another ALTERCATION

Recently a mother looking for a governess said to me "we are having some altercations at the moment"

If I had a dollar for every time a teaching mother or governess had said that to me or I had said that to a them I'd own an island in the Caribbean...drink cocktail with a handsome waiter attending my every need.

I love the word altercations and use it on a regular basis.  It certainly beats saying we had a stand up, toe to toe, humdinger of a fight/argument or saying the child was a naughty little feral turd.

In the Distance Education world it can mean so many things that usually require 5 o'clock drinks to recover. 

My daily altercations are with an 8 year old who still thinks he can get away with things he did when he was 5 years old.   Upper primary students usually don't create many altercations but when we do it is usually a strong verbal stoush the require teacher or parental negotiations.  OR the word because I said and I am the boss, nothing like a dictatorship to make life simpler.

You're not alone - after fourteen years I still have altercations, of course now that I run a dictatorship they happen less often.  :)

Current Schoolroom Configuration...on a messy morning just arriving in the schoolroom

This is my end of the schoolroom.  The kids love coming to work at the front of my desk it is the best treat ever,  The computer desk is positioned so I can see it but the kids up the other end can't when each is on lessen.  White board on the back wall so everyone can be working at their desk and copy off is.  

Etiquette: As lovely as your children may be, they may also stretch the truth when telling you about happenings in the schoolroom

Even the best and most honest children know how to stretch things to make them smell of roses.  Need I say anymore.

Etiquette: CHILDREN NEED TO BE DOING THEIR OWN SCHOOLWORK. NOT WRITING YOUR IDEAS DOWN.

Give the children time to plan and think; don’t jump in to quick to assist with the answer. 

Most of the children I have taught think I know nothing about the important subjects such as writing, maths, spelling and literacy.  In fact often in the first term they tell their parents Miss Lee-Anne doesn’t know anything.  Many parent will laughingly relay the story.  When the kids gaining Independence and doing their work to the best of their ability I know I am doing my job write.

Please remember that children don’t always have an answer, especially if they haven’t practised or learnt it yet.

Etiquette: This is a Job NOT a holiday or a farmstay

You are an employee not a member of the family or best friend.  That is not to say you won't be close to them and be included on everything.   

Your employers do not want to be a parent to their governess, they have their own children.   

That is not to say they won’t support you when needed but they will expect you to act like an adult.  They shouldn’t have to say clean up your room or use your manners.  As an adult we are all responsible for our own behaviour.