Lessons from teaching

So, half a term has gone in my new (teaching) job, and what have I learned? Here are 5 serious and not-so-serious things that I have learned:

1. The difference between a headteacher and an art teacher. A headteacher is someone who sees the importance of getting people to understand objective truth, but fails to take enough time considering how to affect people's consciences. An art teacher, on the other hand, is unconcerned what people believe, as long as it stirs them up, and results in action. I'd quite like to strike a good balance of the two, both informing the mind and affecting the conscience, but unfortunately I applied for the position of maths teacher.

2. The importance of distinguishing between ATL (a teaching union - the Association of Teachers and Lecturers) and ATL (attitude-to-learning).

3. Which trains between Reading and Oxford I'm likely to be able to get a seat on.

4. The true meaning of being busy, and the necessity of a sabbath.

5. That the Biblical doctrine of the inherent sinfulness of the human heart is true - simply watch a group of 11-16s live in utter selfishness for a few days, and there can be little doubt that it is only grace which stops humans carrying out even more horrific atrocities than some already do.