It’s probably the best way I can sum up the first few weeks as an English teacher at Onehunga High School. Ask anyone who is – or has been – a high school teacher, and they’ll tell you the first year is a really tough slog. Learning ~150 new names, school systems and procedures, having students ask “Why should I?” when you ask them to complete homework, and a form class of Year 9 students who look to you for the answers to all their questions are just some of the hurdles I’ve had to overcome in my first few weeks.

That said, it’s been an absolute blast. I have a Year 9 form class, and four English classes, ranging from Year 9 (Form 3) to Year 13 (Form 7), each of which bring their individual challenges and delights. The students at Onehunga High School are real characters, and bring a full dose of personality to each class. This is great for group work and class discussions, but it can also lead to periods of borderline anarchy when it’s last period on a Friday!

The school itself is built on a steep hill, and as such isn’t the most naturally accessible environment. However, the Ministry of Education have really come to the party and funded ramps, an adapted bathroom, and potentially a lift at some point down the track. It’s great to see that using a wheelchair is no barrier to employment in the education sector.

You might be wondering how the students have reacted to my use of a wheelchair in the classroom. Quite honestly, they seem completely non-plussed. None have been rude or disrespectful, and as far as I can tell they don’t treat me any differently to any other teacher. In many ways this is great news, and proves that attitudes towards disability are changing rapidly amongst members of the next generation!

As for anyone who thinks teachers have it easy, you’re welcome to join me in my classroom and give it a go. It won’t be long before you change your mind, trust me!

PS – If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to teach in a high school as a wheelchair user, or if you’re considering a career in education yourself, please feel free to contact me.

The greatest thing about Be. Accessible is that it really is the perfect execution of what I’d hoped to create with this site, Walking is Overrated. And I feel incredibly honoured to have been able to work with Minnie Baragwanath, Qiujing Wong and the rest of the Be. Team to make it a reality!

Anyway, if you haven’t heard of Be. Accessible, check out the website at www.beaccessible.org.nz.

I’m sure you’ll agree it’s awesome.

It’s all very exciting, and am currently in my third week of a Grad. Dip. Secondary Teaching at the University of Auckland.

As such, I’ve been a little bit preoccupied, and I apologise sincerely for that. But I’m about to post my thoughts on my brief foray into teaching thus far, so I hope you get something out of that and keep checking back in every now and then. I’ll still be posting!

What are you all up to for 2011? Drop me a comment and let me know!

Hey folks,

I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be liveblogging the Health and Disability Commissioner’s “Speak Up!” Conference!

So if you’re unable to attend the hui on December 6, you can tune in right here to Walking Is Overrated and I’ll be providing live updates, commentary, photos and so much more!

So don’t forget to stop by on Monday and check out all the great ideas, conversations, and themes that come out of the national disability conference. I’ll be doing my best to bring it all to you LIVE!

Over the next few days I’ll be updating the site with a new look and feel, so don’t freak out if things look a bit different around here! I’d also love people to help write for the site to keep it fresh so make sure you flick me an email if you’d like to contribute to walkingisoverrated.com

That’s all for now!

Red

So it is at this time that I ask – would you like to contribute to walkingisoverrated.com? It could be anything – a review, opinion piece, video blog, poem?! Whatever floats your boat.

So please get in touch!

For those who don’t know, this month’s Rise magazine featured me and this site within their illustrious pages. Check out the cover art on the right, and to read their wee interview with me, click here.

psst… it’s “Nicholson”, not Nicolson!

I haven’t made many new years resolutions to be honest, but would love to hear some of yours! Let me know in the comments below, but other than that consider this the beginning of another year of delicious disability-related discourse.

Red