Maybe I'm back...

Well, it's October. A late start to be recording thoughts about a new school year. But there's an easy explanation.

There has not been a new school year.
Not for me.
Not yet.

This Drama teacher has left his job in sunny Victoria, but has not left the drama teaching profession. I don't think I could do that. I love it too much.
I have decided to take a job back in my old stomping grounds - New Zealand.

So, right now, the life of this drama teacher consists of a constant waiting game - waiting for registration to be finalized with the New Zealand Teachers Council - waiting for med forms and police checks to be completed for the visa application - waiting for the invitation to apply for NZ residency.

A lot of waiting.

And... some planning here and there.
It looks like I'll be teaching the equivalent of Grades 8-12 drama in New Zealand, and the job offer contained a reference to some Creative Writing as well. So, we'll see.
I'm in the process of re-familiarizing myself with the NZ curriculum, and with the NCEA.

I'm excited, but it's hard to show it right now.
I'm still not completely over having left my left position.

I loved it.
I really did.
I loved the job. I loved the students, and I miss them all terribly.
So, while I'm excited (and nervous) for the major change in location, mindset, and whatnot, I am mindful that too much excitement might cause others to think that I was looking to leave Victoria. And I wasn't, really. It just happened. And I had to move on. So I did.

And I'm trying to be excited about it.
On all levels.

So.... I'll start writing again. Because my plan is the same as it was before. I'm going to encourage my students to use blogs to record their drama reflections.
This one will serve as an exemplar.

I hope.
It would have worked in Victoria.
I'm sure it will work in New Zealand.
Right?