Primary Teachers for London

Sadly there is no easy answer to handling change and all the tension and anxiety that going through change brings. If there was a magic formula I could give you that would help you deal with living and working in London, I would give it. But there isn't.

Being in London is about being somewhere different.

It's about embracing or rejecting the changes that are what coming to London to live and work is all about. There are challenges faced by everyone new to London including having to rely on their own resources to find a home, to navigate the transport system, to adapting to and being flexible with, the way the work occurs here in supply and the way the schools work in terms of their expectations of supply teachers.

The crucial 3 qualities required to manage life in London are being FLEXIBLE, being able to ADAPT, and being RESOURCEFUL when faced with situations and issues never encountered before.

When you made the decision to come over, 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 12,000 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 deals with the shock of the reality of London is what will make or break the whole experience.

You are scared. You are scared of the unknown, you are scared of things you cannot control. You are scared of not being in control. Your fear of not handling what comes your way is moving you into yourself which makes you cling to what is familiar and what you know from home and then you get sick and anxious.

London is not like home. Being in London challenges every person who comes here. Each person's character is tested being in London. Some thrive on the challenge and grow and learn and love the fluidity. Some go through moments of self doubt and fear but eventually those qualities that got them onto the plane in the first place, come to the front and they begin to thrive.

Daily supply work is about taking the morning bookings along with the prebooked days. They know we will work our butts off to make it as good a journey as possible to get them to the school on time. Yesterday we paid for cabs for a couple of people and Dave picked up and drove others. Every teacher you met on Friday at drinks has been through this too. And 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. All of them work very hard to do the best they can.

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. It's about embracing the differences, the challenges, the opportunities. It's 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 are still here on the other end of the phone to chat about it all when the unexpected happens. And it isnt easy juggling all the new things you encounter here in London but what the heck! You never know how you will go 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

Managing Consultant:D.J.M. Personnel

+44(0)208 688 8203

M:+44(0)7714763652

www.djm-teach.co.uk'

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