The Year of MANY new Beginnings

It has been a while since I had time to sit down and write. Our lives tend to get busier by the minute and each day brings new challenges and endless opportunities, hence why my basket was full. I am definitely not complaining about it because now that my Summer has officially started, I got the chance to sit back and think deeper about the outcomes of my previous scholastic year.

This year was BIG in so many different ways. From a professional point of view I have extended my interest in progressing myself. As a mother I had to learn how to deal with new heartbreaks and as a wife I had an insight of how wonderful my partner truly is. My students had their first academical journey and my son had his last one in primary. So many emotions ran by and here I am now reflecting on how beautiful new beginnings can be.

Collaborative Lesson

This scholastic yar I have been assigned the youngest group of Kinder 1. I fell in love with each one and was tremendously honoured to be their first practitioner. Together we faced the challenges and conquered the world, even when we felt it was impossible. The continuous support was inevitable and I take my hat off for the amazing human beings who I crossed path with throughout this year. Together we made it work to better not only the skills of each child but to get the best quality of education for each one that compliments their right to education, play, love, respect and so much more. We built memories that will last us beyond decades not to mention explored new themes together in such depth and interest. From puddles, tents, balloons, sounds, buildings, ice-cream, sharks and more. This year taught me that the obvious is boring whilst a challenge keeps everyone on their toes. New experiments, explorations, outings, visits, classroom settings, activities and beyond. Projects that took me places of whimsical fantasies, fearless battles and travelled back to explore the days before mankind. Productivity was processed through endless play, movement and spontaneous learning. Keeping up with the daily excitement was the highlight of my days. From riding bicycles/scooters at school to taking Destiny (my dog) to work with me. Playing with chicken wings, wrecking down structures and selling ice-creams in the corridors. A trip to the community centre and a video call to celebrate every birthday. The list of numerous new opportunities we encountered is definitely endless and rewarding, however my opportunities didn't just stop there.

Destiny at school

Using mTiny on eTwinning Day

Live Call with Siggiewi Kinder

Scared, petrified and uncertain, I applied for my top up degree, a challenge in itself but a bigger satisfaction at the end. Second guessing my qualifications I got chosen to be part of the first cohort. Thirteen other extraordinary participants are keeping me sane through it all. The ever beautiful Christine Buhagiar in particular gave me the confidence to apply and move forward with the application, whilst the rest I got to learn quickly how truly FABULOUS you all genuinely are. The adventure so far has been beautiful and nerve wrecking too especially close to deadlines while trying to balance work, family and my education meanwhile keeping myself zen. Luckily the blended method made it less troublesome and more versatile to teach and learn in today's dynamic lifestyle. Never did I think that this would be the year I take on a bigger step in my profession. I thought I would never get the chance to advance more and here I am still perplexed on how I made it so far. Every beginning is hard especially if you haven't done it before or never attempted to explore it. Nevertheless I passed this first year experience with aplomb! I am grateful for all the individuals I crossed path with while excited to regenerate new friendships, networks and collaborations in my final year next term. Who knew how much we have yet to learn and advance in our profession? I who know little and share so much, admire my classmates, lecturers, tutors & professors for enduring this experience with me. As this is the first cohort, we are all an experiment which will lead to many questioning. Thank you all for bearing with my nonsense panic and frustrations in the lack of knowledge I behold. Support motivates because you make it matter, and the feeling is mutual which makes it an attractive new challenge.

My minimal expertise took centre stage during webinars, seminars, conferences, workshops, group moderations amongst other magnificent opportunities. Little me, stepped in a big world along renowned Early Years giants. Worked side by side with legends who change daily the static state of our curriculum by empowering educators like myself to fulfil the desire to teach outside the norm. Platforms exposed me to bigger opportunities and work internationally while keeping true to my teaching philosophy. Never in a million years did I think I would be involved in extensive research studies and present what I know beyond and afar from my own country. A privilege every time, an honour for such recognition and a blessing for all the encouragement. Hence why this scholastic year I aimed to reciprocate all this by providing a space for others to grow along with me. I thank many of you who stepped in and sided with me through your own practices, ideas, knowledge and expertise. I became more proficient in sharing my platforms with other professionals and the aura behind such experience is none other than positive outcomes.

As a working mother, the biggest change was that of letting my son more independently and watch him grow with his peers in front of my very own eyes. The students in his year group were the first munchkins I had at Hamrun S.S. I did not just watch them grow as their practitioner, but I was there for every party, every celebration, every concert, every event and most of all every change. They were there for us, for Luca too! The sheer heartache of watching them through my classroom window, all grown up and ready to take off primary years with pride made my heart break in million pieces. To top it off, my very own offspring was part of it all. Their new beginning is also mine. I watched them take their last step out together and celebrate one last time as a wholesome fun pack. From their kindergarten graduation to their Year 6 one. I was there to see it happen and I was there to let them all go. As for my own descendent, I let him go slowly as from our last first day of school together, our last crazy hair day as a duo, our last school Christmas photo together and so much more. Mixed emotions of all sorts ran by all year long. I wept, I cried, I chuckled, I smiled, I am satisfied!

While this scholastic year ended with so many positives I had my fair share of challenges too. I bid farewell, analysed and came to peace with closure to scenarios that presented nothing but negativity, strain and struggles throughout the year. The loss of close family members and health deterioration from others, caused an extra burden and unwelcomed strain to my household. Many misunderstood me but countless others stood by me. It was a year in which I learnt how to say "NO" and it ruffled some feathers, changed certain dynamics but I am at peace with it till this current day. Proudly I apologise upfront if I failed to express my words, gestures and ways incorrectly, however I am not apologetic for taking a stand to which contributed in my successful scholastic year. My social life took a toll with all the great changes and I accept new ways in rebuilding confidence but at the same time I am at total peace with myself as an ambivert. I thank in particular those individuals who remained by my side through thick and thin by encouraging me to pursue more than what I already am.

The year that gave me so much new beginnings is not over yet. It is on a break to refresh before another new chapter takes place. In the meantime I will continue to drive my supportive husband up the walls with all my shenanigans as I now have more time on my hands to contemplate new ideas, prospective outcomes, predict my future and above all continue to DREAM big as great things await for new adventures.