User:Blilley

I am Brenda Morrison. I work 3 days a week as a teacher at the best little school ever, Warrington School - just out of Dunedin in Otago, NZ. I live in Dunedin and travel out the 20minutes to Warrington and it is worth every minute. I can still have my breathe taken away as I come over the hill and see the Pacific Ocean and my workplace, Warrington - an incredible view. Going to work is a pleasure as we have the greatest kids, collarborative staff and supportive community.

Professional Background
I began teaching in 1989 in Dunedin. After 4 years fulltime teaching at the Year 4 level I had a year off when I had my first child, and then returned to full time teaching. After my second child I began teaching Maths and Science part time to Year 8 children in a South Canterbury area school. After my third child I began relief teaching from New Entrants up to the Year 8 level at schools around Dunedin for varying lengths of time. I then began part-time teaching at NEV Normal School. I also began teaching ESOL to children enrolled at this school. I then took my teaching and ESOL skills to teach at Niue High School, Niue (a South Pacific Island) Niue at the Year 8 level for one year. On returning my teaching position at Warrington School started ( Year 3 - Year 8 )and I hope to remain here for a while yet!

Education
My qualifications are:


 * Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education and Pscyhology from Canterbury Universtity -graduated in 1980.
 * Diploma of Teaching (Primary) from Dunedin College of Education - graduated in 1988
 * Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - 2003

My Interests
My children are my main interest, and I spend a lot of time being involved with their sports and activities. I enjoy my garden, especially in fine weather. I love reading, and will find any excuse to down tools and relax with a book. I enjoy being creative with wool. I enjoy walking and biking - and hope to get out cycle touring again soon.

Professional
Areas I find the most professionally interesting are as follows. These are the skills and strategies I find especially important for the students to achieve:

English

 * 1) Reading
 * 2) *becoming competent at comprehending text - being able to inference and gain information from differing levels within the text
 * 3) *being able to find the information you require from text (from books or computers)
 * 4) Writing
 * 5) *using descriptive words, phrases and techniques to create word pictures, feelings and moods
 * 6) *to be able to put down information in a way that others will enjoy reading
 * 7) Speaking
 * 8) *to become confident in standing and speaking in front of others
 * 9) *to be confident at discussing and being able to give an opinion
 * 10) *to be a respectful listener

Maths

 * 1) Numeracy
 * 2) *being actively involved in the Numeracy Project
 * 3) *finding maths activities enjoyable
 * 4) *to become skilled and fast at basic facts and being able to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems without having to use pen and paper
 * 5) being able to using problem solving strategies and skills in everyday tasks

Science

 * To observe the world around them with awe and wonder and want to share their findings, questions, and experiements with their classmates and teachers.
 * To ask questions and look for answers

Personal
I have three children, a dog, a cat and a house to enjoy and look after.

My Sandbox
/My Projects/ To find out more about Warrington School go to Warrington School ]]  [[Media:Science_postcard_ruby.pdf|Science Postcards]]