A Day in the Life of a DOS

Saturday Evening

End of any relaxation for the next few weeks, I think. Had a busy couple of days unpacking boxes, checking classrooms and getting the posters up. Could do with a few more of those. Might see if I can get some of the teachers to do it for their project work. First teachers arriving midday so a bit more work on the induction with the CD this morning and then a quick bite to eat.

Sunday

Well, most of the teachers arrived on time but seem to be missing one person. Rang up HO who said they'd look into it. Induction was OK. Tried to make it easier for them by making the sessions snappier but a few of them looked a bit too jet-lagged to appreciate them. Think they only got off the plane last night. Should be a good team though. Mix of ages and experience. Have to keep my eye on one of them who looks a bit fretful. Maybe she's just nervous - she's only just finished her CELTA. I'll pair her off with Ken who's been in the game for yonks. Set them different tasks to do and one pair made these very creative classroom signs. Wish I was that arty. First students arriving about 8 so will have to get prepared for that. Hope they'll want to go straight to bed after the induction as I volunteered to greet that group! The Welfare Supervisor's going to have a lot on his hands as there are 3 other groups arriving at different times later. Got to get some shuteye so that I'm on the ball tomorrow in order to coordinate the testing of 150 students.

Monday

The missing teacher arrived late last night - something about missing connections - so had to give her a very quick induction first thing this morning. Will have to do the rest later today.

The Senior Teacher is a god-send! What is she like! Told her the situation, gave her some of the test papers and off she went. Organised everyone and everything to a T. She even got them all marked and sorted into classes (with the help of some of the teachers, obviously) so all I have to do is check them and draw up the class lists. I bet someone will come in tomorrow morning and say they're in the wrong class! Think I might ask her about the teaching pairs - she seems to have built a good rapport with them already.

After dinner.

That was relatively painless. Teachers seem happy with their partners and saw some of them already working on their lessons for tomorrow. The newly-qualified teacher looked a bit stressed so had a look at her lesson plan with her. It was fine in principle, but gave her a few tips on making it a bit more dynamic and fun. Wonder why she didn't ask Ken? Had a quick visit of the activity just to make sure people were where they were supposed to be. Everything seemed to be OK. Students were having fun at the disco. Did the lights-out duty with a couple of others. Not too arduous, just had to be on hand in case of emergencies, though there weren't any. Think the students were tired from all the dancing.

Tuesday

Brief meeting with the teachers before start of lesson to reiterate what we had talked about for the project lessons. They seemed to have it in hand. Think they agreed to do a presentation on Friday in the last lesson. Got a couple of complaints about wrong levels, as predicted, but told the GLs I had to speak to the teachers first so nothing will happen until tomorrow. They were happy with that.

Did the lunch duty so got to meet some of the students face to face. Quite a bunch. They were peering at my ID badge, some surreptiously and some quite openly. Had to explain who I was and what I did. I think I might have to mix more with them just so that they know that there's someone they can come to. Some of them look very cheeky. Others are so shy! Might do a seminar on mixed nationalities on Thursday just so that the quieter ones get a look in during lessons.

Helped another new teacher with his lesson. A bit strange - too much grammar and reading, so had to put him right. Perhaps he comes from the old school? And, believe it or not, another teacher wanted to play Eminem to her class! Just when I thought we were cruising along nicely. Mind you, the language probably wouldn't shock the students as much as it does me. Slippers and pipe here I come!

Thought of a great idea - made some space on a noticeboard in the staffroom for teachers to put up their lesson ideas and tips. Think I might also insist on looking at their lesson plans on a regular basis.

Wednesday

Might have to run a tighter ship. One teacher was late to her class. Didn't really have a good excuse so will have to have a word with her later. Another kept coming back to the staffroom for books, paper, etc. They should really be more organised. Had a walk around the classrooms after the break and saw some very active excursion lessons! Lots of running round and noise - great!

Did the rota with the AM. Not too many requests for specific days off yet so it wasn't complicated.

Talked to the teachers about the students who wanted to move up and they agreed, so that was good. Had a quick chat to Joe the ST who said he'd be more than happy to lead the seminar tomorrow as he'd done a similar thing at his old school. If he keeps on like this, I'd definitely recommend him for a DOS position next year. Wonder if it'd be asking too much to get him to do a seminar on writing reports next week?

Saw the excursion off in the afternoon. A teacher was late so that'll be brought up in the meeting tomorrow as well. Did a quick inspection of the classrooms to make sure they were being looked after. There was some very interesting work on the notice boards. Glad that I can report back to the conference office that everything's OK.

Thursday

Hectic day today! Started quite innocuously. Had a brief word to the teachers about promptness and being prepared and they agreed that it showed more professionalism if they got to the class on time and had all the materials with them. Then things started to get interesting just before the break. Heard a bit of a commotion so hotfooted to the source where I found a student yelling at the top of her voice at the teacher. Didn't want to interfere so stayed out of sight but within earshot for a few minutes. Nothing more happened so went back. At the break, the teacher told me that that particular student didn't want to take part in the lesson, was bored, felt it was too easy for her and wanted to go to another classroom but she wasn't allowed, hence the shouting. Asked the teacher to send her to me straight after the break, which she did. Nothing too difficult to sort out, really. Told the student I had to speak to the teacher first and if she agreed, then we would move her. Also got her to agree to apologise to the teacher for her rudeness.

A couple of GLs came to ask about seminars for them. They wanted to learn about new EFL methodology so will have to do some quick searching on the internet for ideas. HO might be able to help as well. Will send them an email.

Joe did a very good seminar. Quite a high turnout and all agreed it was very worthwhile.

Did some more paperwork this afternoon, mainly the rota for next week, with the AM's help. Dropped into the karaoke evening. Really nice to see teachers enjoying themselves so much. Can imagine there'll be quite a few tears at the end of next week when these groups leave.

Friday

The brief meeting this morning was very positive. Told the teachers we've had excellent feedback from students and GLs, which they appreciated. They seem to have found their feet and have bonded very well, except for the normal occasional hiccups.

Did my normal quick check of the registers at 9.10 and found two students missing. So the WS and I went to the bedrooms to look for them, which is where we found them, snoring under their bedcovers. Don't know how they were missed in the wake-up calls. So made sure they got washed and ready quick smart. The refectory staff were very kind to let them have some cereal and juice first as I don't think they'd be up to much without breakfast. Things calmed down after that and was an uneventful morning, though there was the highlight of the project work presentations. A couple of theatre pieces, one very funny one from the elementary group, bless them; one class sang, a bit off-key but the heart was there; another class did a presentation on their countries, complete with flags and photos; and the fifth class had prepared a quiz. Great fun! Ashamed to say a student team won that.

Faxed off the staff payroll report to HO. Had the rest of the afternoon and evening off so went into town for a spot of solitariness, though being Friday, it was pretty busy. At least I didn't see any students skiving, which would have spoilt the afternoon as I'd have to confront them and march them back to the centre!

Saturday

Got up early and saw off the excursion to London. The students looked very excited. It's the first time for some of them. There weren't enough lunches so made a dash to the refectory to find the missing ones. Luckily, it was simply because someone didn't see a tray rather than too few made. Then did another check of the classrooms, helped with more lesson planning and drew up a list of observations for next week. Will have to assure the staff that it's a constructive rather than critical observation. Caught up with some paperwork in the afternoon. My first weekly DOS report! Hope it's what they wanted.

Day off tomorrow! Can't wait!