one day I'll share my travel tales...

PASSING THOUGHT: Great friend just shared her travel tales+photos of Robe+the Coorong National Park. She desperately needs a break from her stressful teaching role.
But I'm longing for the day when I can share with her MY travel tales+not packing or surprise challenge updates...

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) April 13, 2022

my teaching doors closed today...

PASSING THOUGHT: My teaching doors closed today. It was Athletics Carnival on final day of Term 1. My job was to hand ribbons to place getters. Many precious moments; many told of favourite lessons.
But the best came at day's end. 7 students asked me to tell them one more story.

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) April 8, 2022

bookmobile...

An ultra-cute view for Thursday morning...
This wonderful concept even includes a tiled roof...
It is as if this little bookmobile reaches out to the heart and soul of life... https://t.co/hoOKIvWlgf

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 30, 2022

walking a tight rope...

And I taught Ivan Milat's nephew when I was teaching in NSW...All while the crimes were happening...They were interesting times...Yes...The nephew did some talking about the family, but I could say nothing...I felt I was walking a tight rope...

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 26, 2022

When the nephew was older he disowned the family...Changed his last name...He told me horrific stories of growing up part of the family...

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 26, 2022

The family lived in the area where I was teaching, so it was very immediate...

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 26, 2022

cross marking...

PASSING THOUGHT: I wasn't going to air this achievement. But changed my mind. Just spent all Saturday morning cross-marking an English assessment for another young teacher. The cross-marking involved recording comments- (strengths+ weaknesses) + suggested grades.
Feel chuffed.😀

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 19, 2022

classroom visitors...

I'll admit it...When I retire, I will miss all those exciting moments...
There were many...
But memories will keep me smiling... https://t.co/t36C87KiT1

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 6, 2022

in the veggie patch...

in the veggie patch
a teacher tends
another classroom#haiku

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) March 4, 2022

voluntary lockdown...

I've never been a social butterfly, but now I'm more a hermit than ever.
Some friends continue socialising, so I've not met up with them.
Just teach part-time+supermarket shopping (for the past 2 years).
I read+write.
Walks will increase post-tourist season on my peninsula.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) February 7, 2022

a student's understanding...

This is gold...👏🙏
Students do understand so much if only we are willing to share some of our humanity, our human weaknesses with them...
Often, it can be their understanding that strengthens and motivates us to rise higher... https://t.co/WBjoI9W1W3

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) January 25, 2022

welcome retirement...

I thought come retirement, I'd be sad to leave teaching. I'm not. 2022's the year I'm running to retirement. The data/assessment mania has killed the spark+spontaneity for me, because there's no room for them to happen anymore.
I can't teach effectively to 'textbook formulas'.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) January 21, 2022

the vaccine scramble continues...

Teacher here - I'm booked for a booster 21st January at a pharmacy (trying to get in before school return). Hope it's not cancelled. But chances = 50-50. I see the same pharmacy is now no longer listed for vaccines. Hope that is not ominous.
Back up plan=my doctor for 7th March.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) January 10, 2022

VCE results...

PASSING THOUGHT: I'm basking in someone else's happiness+claiming a little as mine. A Year 12 Victorian student-taught for 3 years in his high school career (English, History+Geography), today received his ATAR of 97. Same student who gave me a thank you card before the results.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

Massive shout out to Anthony Brown, teacher of Outdoor Education+assessor. He's one of those quiet achievers. For some years in a row, his students scored great VCE results. Always a 50 in there. This year, he secured his 50+8 students above 40.
A humble man I'm proud to know.

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) December 16, 2021

deadlines...

term's end
the flustered
stress of
reports
and deadlines#tanka pic.twitter.com/JN1rZ7ssxY

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) November 14, 2021

my teacher the new phone...

my teacher
the new phone
insists
I learn
by trial and error#tanka pic.twitter.com/r65I5QhcSw

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) November 9, 2021

greenie so no jab?....

I know of a delightful someone who is very much a greenie. It's a no meat, no processed food+no Gladwrap household. Somehow, having the jab, does not compute with her greenie plan for/view of life. I cannot quite see the connection. She's teaching remotely for now, but then what?

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) October 28, 2021

flowers for a friend...

My teacher friend is facing some very awkward challenges, so I sent her some sunny flowers to brighten her day yesterday...
(She took these photos using her phone)
She has been a brilliant support to me during my troubled times...Now it's my turn... pic.twitter.com/h4DzMky99r

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) October 20, 2021

covid-19 case at my school...

PASSING THOUGHT: Unexpected school email. Covid case 10+11th October at school. I don't return till 26th. Shaping a crazy idea. On return, I get my 27 students to sit on the opposite side of their desks to face the open doorway. I teach from the doorway. Silly idea sounds safe?? pic.twitter.com/Um2846MrWv

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) October 16, 2021

the sun is smiling outside...

PASSING THOUGHT: Mondays represent my non-teaching day each week. ( I work a .8 loading these days because I'm getting older 😒) I planned to do some marking, BUT the sun is smiling 😀outside, I'm nearly done with Twitterising and...???????? pic.twitter.com/bOIHaKuszh

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) October 10, 2021

art of 'teach peace'...

Love this...Quite clever...
Tried to find the source...
Only clue, (after enlarging), was a flyer advertisement, above the left of the artwork...Palmer Event Center, Austin, Texas. https://t.co/tCUSMZhpm3

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) September 20, 2021

retired teacher issues...

I am close to being a 'retired teacher', but covid has thrown any plans into chaos. I must hang in there with a lighter load locked in place for next year. I feel so sorry for what is happening to you + hope I don't have the same issues. We try so hard to improve student lives...

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) August 14, 2021