Chasing professional connections.

It can't be ignored that some of us struggle in our position as CRTs and it's for a variety of reasons. The one I'd like to have a say about today is lacking a source of appropriate advice.

As the coordinator of two VIT CRT Networks I notice a trend. Every 6 months or so a new batch of Teachers emerges from university and many of them end up as a CRT either through necessity or by choice. At these times I make it a point to carry extra contact cards for the Network and keep my eye out for CRTs I haven't encountered before. We have a few members who also do the same thing. This results in a new batch of CRTs entering the network every 6 months. Not in the way you'd expect though.

Most (but by no means all) CRTs who are joining are often those who got the card in the previous two rounds of university graduates, not the ones receiving the cards in this round. So, why is this happening?

Well, they're discovering that it's harder to integrate into the teaching community as a part-time worker than they thought it would be. Being a graduate they often have to work in a large number of schools in order to "get themselves out there" and to receive enough work around the more experienced CRTs they compete against. This means that they often aren't in any one place long enough to build up sufficient professional relationships they need in order to have a solid base from which to get the answers they need and the hints and tips that make your life so much easier.

It can be a very hectic time and sometimes it just doesn't go so well. Is this you? While I always recommend personal contacts where meaningful discussions can take place in-person as the best option, while we hold collegial meetings every month it's always good to explore other avenues too.  Here's a pair of Facebook groups for you to slip into, ask some questions and get some answers.

Relief Teaching Ideas;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reliefteachingideas/

This group is centered around CRT resources but has many helpful members offering advice on a large range of topics. It is very new but due to it's being an added aspect to the "Relief Teaching Ideas" blog it's already got over 1200 members.

The AEU CRT Association;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169648546549849/

The AEU CRT Association was set up by the Australian Education Union to provide a forum for Victorian teachers engaged in CRT work to discuss relevant issues and to provide a place where there are opportunities to share materials, discuss experiences, and work together to promote the integral role of CRTs in schools.

It is also relatively new but is growing. It's a bit unique in that you don't have to be a union member to join this group and, although no-one from the AEU watches it 24/7, there is a level of industrial advice from union representatives available to non-union members.

Do you belong to any groups that are useful for CRTs? Either on Facebook or out in the wider online community? Let us all know about them!

Regards,

Mel.