I have finished my Masters of Teaching!

This journey began in the middle of 2021, and now I am just waiting for my final results from the Graduate Teaching Performance Assessment in a few weeks. I hope I did everything correctly. Family and friends see me passing with flying colours, but I will be happy when I see that final result!

Reading the instructions, attending all the online discussions on it, and reading discussion boards has helped, but it was definitely overwhelming sometimes. We had excellent support from our on line learning advisors and also the GTPA handbook, and the supervising teachers on prac.

The photograph above is not directly about the teaching journey but more reflective of some special moments over the years. Recently for those who follow my blog, you know that I made a research trip to Victoria that was a journey to the ‘country’ of Uncle Fred’s wife, Winnie Reid. I was in the midst of making more of those journeys when the pandemic struck and put a dent in being able to make more of those trips.

My eldest son had just moved out of home when I returned to studies, and in the next two weeks, my youngest two, both in their twenties are moving out into their first share house with friends.

During my studies, I have visited my dying from cancer Father, been to his funeral, and had three friends pass away, one an accident and two from cancer. My mum has lost my Dad, and only recently began to feel his loss a little less, and been able to do what he asked of her which was to live her life to the fullest. My eldest son, helped me to support my mum through the loss of a son and her husband. I am so happy to see him happy in his Melbourne life, and advancing in his career and personal life.

Moments with my children are treasured. Who knows how long we will continue to live around the corner from the two youngest? Visiting the Dubbo Zoo with my daughter and husband after research adventures, was excellent fun. Standing next a lion made out of wire that suddenly roared and made me jump was a jump scare! Now it hadn’t come to life it was just a sound effect.

I have recommenced journeys for the Fred Murray project, and been writing everyday since handing in my GTPA. Mapping out the next lot of trips these are some of questions

• What do I still need to know?
• What will be interesting to write about from the travels?
• How can I make reading the book interesting? Helpful? Informative? Illuminating? Encourage critical and creative thinking?Reflect best practice for young historians? Move the heart?

I have also been blessed to see the end of the pandemic, attend a friends 50th, support friends who needed our help, and served my writing community.

These pictures represent the joy of catching up with Writing Friends recently as well as having more time to chat with David!