Teach-Primary-Issue-19.4

Q A & 1 What’s your idea of perfect happiness in your job? It’s a day spent outside, in sunny weather, playing sports and games with the children. Physical activity is a must for me, and I get cabin fever if I’m in the classroom too long, so you’ll often find me and my class outside! 2 What is your greatest fear at work? My biggest fear is definitely not being listened to. Even though I am in my 15th year of teaching, and consider myself to be good at managing behaviour, I have a recurring dream that my class won’t listen to me, and I’ve lost control! 3 What is your current state of mind? Well, I’ve literally just come back from having root canal work at the dentist, so I’m feeling a mixture of gratitude that I’m still alive, and a dash of feeling sorry for myself. But as far as work goes, I’m feeling a bit stretched, though in control. I’ve got a lot on at the moment – I’m editing a book on ECT wellbeing, marking university assignments, and teaching in KS1 7 What do you consider your greatest teaching achievement? I have been a member and supporter of Action for Happiness since their launch in 2011, so back in 2015, when the director, Mark Williamson, asked me and three of my pupils to speak at their Creating a Happier World event at the Lyceum Theatre with the Dalai Lama – in front of no less than 2,500 people – I couldn’t say no. The Dalai Lama is one of my heroes, but I was most proud of the children. They spoke so eloquently; especially a boy called Karam, who, two years before that, didn’t speak any English! It was an amazing experience. 8 What is your most treasured teaching possession? My USB clicker. It enables me to move the lesson on from anywhere in the room, so I can walk round to that child and let them know they need to focus without breaking my flow. this term (I haven’t been down there for many years!), so it’s exciting and challenging. But I like being outside my comfort zone. 4 What do you consider the most overrated teacher virtue? I can’t stand martyrdom in teaching. It’s not big, it’s not clever, and it sets a poor example to new teachers coming into the profession. We’ll never get over the recruitment and retention crisis if we don’t stop it. 5 On what occasion do you lie to your class? When I have no TA in the room but really need a wee, I tell my class I’m stepping outside to speak to the headteacher for a moment, and that we’ll definitely be able to hear if they’re messing around. And then I leg it to the loo and back faster than Usain Bolt. 6 Which words or phrases do you most overuse with your class? “No, you don’t need an icepack for that”. You would not believe how often that phrase is relevant. We take the famous Proust questionnaire and pose eight of its questions to a fellow educator. Take a peek into the deepest depths of a teacher’s soul... 82 | www.teachwire.net F EATURE S BACK PAGE NAME: Adrian Bethune JOB ROLE: Teacher, lecturer, governor, author EXTRA INFO: Adrian is the author of Wellbeing in the Primary Classroom and A Little Guide to Teacher Wellbeing and Self-Care . “I get cabin fever if I’m in the classroom too long, so you can usually find me and my class outside!” teachappy.co.uk @teachappyuk