Travel Diaries #7: Greece (Work Trip)

I'm on blog roll at the moment! I will end this evening with this blog and then write up more for next week.

So about a month ago, I visited Greece to attend a conference for teachers who are on the Senior Leadership Team in their school or who are new to the role. It was held at St Catherine's British School just outside Athens and led by Karen Ardley Associates. I had been there before when I taught in my previous school and it was a great experience. I was there for 4 days due to travelling, etc. Whilst I was there I met lots of familiar faces which was lovely. We all had a catch up and it was really good learning from one another, as some had more experience and some like me were new to their roles. 

We looked at what makes a leader and how a leader is different to a manager, as well as how to deal with difficult people and implement the school's vision along with your team. Overall, I learnt quite a lot and felt that it was a great refresher course too, as some parts were repetitive from last time. Oh yes! We had a competition to make a design/ideas sheet based on the learning during the course - so I went to town! I didn't think I would win to be honest as many entries around me were so creative and imaginative but I did and it was the book I wanted to read too! I haven't started it yet as I was mid way through another book, my sister recommended me to read which was pretty good too!

It's so important to participate in relevant CPD, I can't stress it enough especially abroad. It helps you to develop as a teacher as you learn from one another and also new and improved ways of ensuring your teaching is up to scratch. I've been lucky this year, as I've made sure I have attended ones which will develop me in my role. However, I am hoping to devise a CPD programmed for the teachers in my school at the start of the next academic year.

                                      

Whilst I was there, I fit in time to meet with my brother as he works outside Athens. So we met up in the evenings for dinner and shisha. It was great and we had a lovely catch up too! I was lucky enough to have most of the day free on Monday as my flight was due to leave in the evening. So I used that to go around the city and view some sights!

My brother Sulley and I in Monastraki

                                                      
   

A breathtaking view of the Acropolis

                                            

Work News: I'm officially a ClassDojo Ambassador for Oman!!

For those of you, who may read my blog regularly you will know that I am a primary school teacher. I have been teaching for almost 5 years now and I am thoroughly enjoying it! In a few of the schools I have taught at, we've used an app called ClassDojo (www.classdojo.com) . I believe this was created in the USA and it has been a huge success in schools all around the world.

I actually remember in my first year of teaching, another NQT on a course told me about it. All I remember was ' my kids love the dojos!'. It was until my second year of teaching when I used it as I had an extremely challenging class of children. Once I had trialled it out, I found that they enjoyed the cute monster avatars and for some it really impacted positively on their behavioural choices.

Afterwards, I used it whilst teaching abroad in the Middle East and I am guessing because I used it quite actively, I was made a ClassDojo Mentor which was fantastic! I made sure that those colleagues who were using it were confident and updated them with any news that would benefit them and their classes.

Fast forward a year in the Middle East and due to the positive feedback from my parents and to a few teachers using ClassDojo in my school, the Director thought it a good idea to maintain consistency and roll it out across the whole school. Over the summer, I inputted all the students and their year groups so it would be easier for class teachers to add them once they returned. It was pretty easy for them to set up, print off the invited and ensure most parents were signed up. I delivered training along with a colleague to the rest of the school. Now, our primary aim was to use 'School Story' to celebrate the children's learning in the school. We also aimed to use 'Class Story' which enables teachers and children to celebrate their learning and strengthen communication between the parents too. 

The results: Since then I've held numerous mini workshops to groups of teachers who needed a refresher and they've been most grateful.  ClassDojo has been effective in our learning environment as the majority of parents I believe are signed up. The parents prefer to communicate via the app due to its accessibility and ease of use of the app on iOS and Android phones.

Thank you so much ClassDojo - you've made our lives much easier and fun too!

So how did I become a ClassDojo Ambassador?

Well late one evening I was scrolling down the ClassDojo page on Facebook and I saw a message about applying for the role of ClassDojo. So I thought why not? I was SO shocked when I received an email stating that I had been chosen. I was ectastic! I'm really passionate about ClassDojo and always spread the word whenever I am about so to be an ambassador for them is just AMAZING! They were so sweet and sent me some treats too which I will be donning at the training day this week. Along with the various other ClassDojo ambassadors, we do have responsibilities in terms of spreading the word, taking part in conferences, leading dojo chats and messageboards. So far, so good and I am sure it's about to get even better!

If you teach in the Middle East and use ClassDojo or are curious or would like some help, please feel free to message me on here.

Lots of love,

Sara xx

All Loved Up: March Favourites!

Aloha my lovely people! Happy April! I am back - with a fresh new layout! What do you think? I think it looks quite fresh and yes I had to add in the turquoise somewhere! :P

Please accept my sincere apologies! Since I've taken up a brand new leadership role at my school, I've been pretty busy plus I have been on two trips - one work related and the other just a plain old holiday! I've got lots of exciting posts about my career, travels, beauty and life! I will be posting a few this week so keep an eye out!

But I thought I would start off with a beauty post as I've been diggin' some newbies lately!

My Beauty Faves for March!

                                            
I have listed these from left to right and explained why I LOVED them so much last month!

#1: Urban Decay Quick Fix Prepping Spray: This is a newbie and I LOVE it! The weather it getting pretty hot and humid here and this does the job of prepping and hydrating my skin before my makeup. I have found that it plays a HUGE part in keeping my makeup on throughout the day too. Well done Urban Decay!

#2: Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara and #3: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara : I actually use this in conjunction with the Benefit Roller Lash mascara. I apply the Roller Lash first to separate my lashes and curl and then the Cannonball to intensify the colour and volume of my lashes. This must be my third purchase of them now and still loving how they work together!

#4: MAC Prolong Wear Concealer in NW25 & NC35: These are more newbies. As I have a tanned slightly, I found that the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealers are too light plus I didn't think they lasted long on my skin. I had heard good reviews about this concealer so I ended up buying two; NW25 for blemishes and NC35 for my under eyes and I am AMAZED! They're perfect and to the point LONG LASTING!

#5: Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Medium: I have recently converted to the BB BB Cream because of its benefits. It has an SPF35, is lightweight and the shade matches me perfectly even after oxidising. I love the satin finish and it provides me with enough coverage too.

#6: Inglot Mascara in 24: I've also switched up my black eyeliner for brown and it's amazing what colours can do for your makeup look. It is much softer looking and really makes my brown eyes pop! The staying power again is great which is a bonus for me in this weather!

#7: MAC Peaches Blush: Hello Spring or should I say Summer now? I love how this blush provides my skin with a splash of luminosity and glow.

#8: Milani Luminoso Blush: I use this as blush topper on MAC Peaches and it really brings out a dewy, glow from within.

#9: MAC Oak Lip Liner: I remember when blogger Bubblegarm used to rave about this lip liner but I wasn't sure it would suit me. Anyways, I bought it a few months ago and have been using it ever since - so thanks Muhsine! :)  It is a lovely neutral colour that defines the lip really subtly.

#10: Jouer Lip Enhancer in Clear: My new favourite lip plumping, moisturise without the tingle. This is AMAZING! No, seriously, I am almost done with my first tube. It is so luxurious and moisturising whilst plumping my lips ever so slightly. I use this day and night and have seen the difference it has made. I will most definitely be repurchasing. 

#11: MAC Myth Lipstick and #12: Cargo Lipgloss in Sahara: I've recently discovered beauty vlogger Chrisspy and loved her lip colours. So when I found out that she paired MAC Myth with Cargo's Sahara I was up to try it out. I use MAC Oak to line my lips and then apply MAC Myth and a slick of Sahara on top. It's the perfect nude lip combo - thanks Chrisspy!

So there you have it, my faves from the month of March. I hope you enjoyed reading it!

Thank you,

Lots of love,

Sara