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This is one reason why

A letter to a newly arrived teacher from overseas

Dear Sally,

Sadly there is no easy answer to handling change and all the tension and anxiety that going through change brings when you first arrive into London. If there were a magic tablet we could give you that would help you deal with living and working in London, we would give it. But there isnt.

When you made the decision to come over, perhaps you wanted to come because London was different and would provide opportunities and challenges that would test who you are and what you are made of.

The fact that you got on an aeroplane and travelled 12000 miles means you had the courage to have a go with whatever situation you would find once you landed.

The reality of living and working in London can be a shock when people first arrive. How each person responds to this reality is what will make or break the whole experience.

Many people are scared; scared of the unknown and of not being in total control of the situation. Fear of not being able to handle it all can cause people to cling to what is familiar or feel anxious. London is not like home. There are challenges to face for every person who comes here. Some go through moments of self doubt and fear, but if they are willing to embrace the adventure, those qualities that got them onto the plane in the first place come to the fore. They begin to thrive on the challenge, learn so many life lessons and enjoy the fluidity.

Coming to live and work in London is all about embracing or rejecting changes.

There are challenges faced by everyone new to London, such as having to rely on their own resources to find a home and navigating the transport system. Teachers will also need to adapt to the way supply work happens in London and the expectations that schools have of their supply teachers.

When you are faced with situations and issues youve never encountered before, there are three crucial qualities required to manage London life:

· Being flexible

· Able to adapt

· Resourceful

Being involved in daily supply work mean being ready to take the morning bookings as well as the pre-booked days. You should know – we work our butts off to make it as good a journey as possible to get you to the school on time. Sometimes we even pay for cabs or Dave picks up and drives teachers to school. Every teacher has been through this at some point, and the stories add to other anecdotes shared at drinks on Fridays.

As each teacher earns their credibility in schools, the schools like them, the schools begin to ask for them ahead of time and they get booked for days and days. The school knows the teacher they get for the day has the ability to be flexible, go with the flow and work with the moment to do the best job they can with that class. If you’re willing to embrace whatever situation you end up in, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

So where to from here?

It is easy for me to say just RELAX. But I am going to say RELAX!!! Life is not over if your day is not perfect, if you get a booking in the morning, not the day before, if the transport is late, if the kids are interesting, if you have to rush to get to a school. Go with the flow! Have a laugh at the way the transport works, at the kids, at the crazy things you encounter day after day.

Its about embracing the differences, the challenges, the opportunities. Its about giving yourself a chance to succeed. Noone can do the work for you. Only you can.

And do I think you can do it? YES I do! I think anyone who travels 12,000 miles to live and work in London has the qualities to succeed. You just need to relax, take a deep breath and jump in! You can do it! We will be here on the other end of the phone to chat about it all when the unexpected happens. It isn’t easy juggling all the new things you encounter here in London but what the heck! You never know what you can achieve till you have a go and keep having a go!!

Hang in there. Give yourself a chance & time to adapt. You can do it!

Regards

Bronwyn

Bronwyn Ward Manson

Managing Consultant:DJM Personnel

Phone: +44(0)208 688 8203

Fax: +44(0)208 649 8872

M:+44(0)7714763652

www.djm-teach.co.uk

email: djm.teach@virgin.net