Tales from a teacher

have been running YTT programmes for 21 years now, all over the world, and in many ways, they all roll into one seamless journey. It is mind-boggling how much the students grow, laugh, cry, and bond during three long, short weeks. I have learned to predict the mood of the students based on where we are in the schedule. At first eagerness, excitement and tentativeness predictably morphs into exhaustion, overwhelm, and nervousness. Then, just in the nick of time, a full day off, a refresh, renewed spirit, and a self-empowerment practice, followed by the long painstaking days of student teaching, moments of relief and release, laughter, and loads