@JANE BRAZIL
@DATA TYPE: RETROSPECTIVE
@LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
@COUNTRY: FRANCE
@PARTICIPANTS: S 
@SETTING: PRIVATE
@TIME: LATE
@SCHOOL: SECONDARY

Reflecting on  live recording

* This was when I had a problem with a class.  She was helpful.
Because I didn't record the very first meeting, the one on tape isn't a very good example. It is one of two longer than five minute conversations I've ever had with my responsable.  
* I think I gave the right impression of myself, as in someone who was not really sure what they were doing.  She does tend to talk over me quite a lot which I noticed on the tape, asks lots of questions but doesn't seem to take much notice of what I'm saying.  
* In hindsight, I think we both missed the mark on mutual understanding, I think I was trying to use the example of one class I didn't like to try and ask for a bit more help but I was being far too subtle and she didn't pick up on it. 
*  I think at the time I was pleased because the class I didn't like had been sorted into smaller groups and it seemed that she might pay me a bit more attention in future - she does recognise that I don't see her a lot but her being busy didn't change after this exchange.  I still rarely see her and ask her for help. 
*  It is an accurate reflection because that's what happened but I think in hindsight I wasn't forward enough or confident enough to ask for what I really wanted, and if you don't ask you don't get, with some people.

Reflecting on relationship with responsable(s)

* Initial impression - they were really friendly, smiley and welcoming.  Quite quick to tell me things and gave me a lot of info at once, quickly palmed me off to another teacher and I had to request time for more information.
* I still think she's a nice lady and a good teacher and it remained that I had to initiate any contact and I had to ask her for things, nothing was offered.
* Since my last book entry in mid-January I've seen her more because we've been doing this drama workshop together, but I don't really feel she needs to help me, and as before she just occasionally checks I'm OK and asks about my weekend but that's it.  
* I feel fine about my responsable; it hasn't done any harm that she didn't give me loads of advice/help at the beginning although I thought it might.  I think I prefer her not knowing what I'm doing in lessons, I like being independent rather than checked on.
* The interactions are all there apart from conversations with other members of staff who spent more time with me and helped me more over the year.
* (To what extent and in what way do you think participating in the PIC project affected your relationship?)  Not at all, it was hardly mentioned.

Reflecting on assistantship experience

* Pedagogical preparation - I received none but fully expected to be thrown in at the deep end - as in be teaching full classes.  More feedback both positive and negative should be provided by universities so can be prepared for anything.
* Try and establish contact early but be aware they may ignore you until 1 October.
* Try to make friends with all teachers, be polite and friendly but if they are a lot older (as with my school) may find the surveilllants and students themselves more friendly and more socially open.

