When schools shut with the first Lockdown there was uncertainty as to how long this would be for.
Supply teaching
My teaching came to a natural end… for now.
I would certainly miss meeting different children in different schools but I wouldn’t miss the wait in the mornings.
Where would I go?
Which year group would I teach?
Will the phone ring or not?
Lockdown Learning
This would certainly be the time to look at what road my bus story books would take me this time.
With two books in the publication process and two books finalists in the wishing shelf Awards it was probably time to focus on the story books for now.
I spent a lot of time thinking up resources, ideas, reading my books on YouTube and posting on social Media. But then wasn’t everyone?
There seemed to be a ‘We can do this’ feel with claps for the NHS, walks with Sir Tom and songs to cheer us along.
I had plenty of Lego to sort and to keep me busy too. Of course, I designed a bright colourful Lego ‘Playbus’.
Adapting
Like many people, I learnt to zoom; to spill the tea on a ‘one to one’; attend discussions and meetings online; I analyzed my data; set up a business plan; sent ‘Gloria the Summer Fun Bus’ on a blog tour; and received a silver medal for my book, ‘A Spooky Tale’.
It defiantly was a busy time.
But most of all I looked at my writing journey and which way it would continue.
School visits were definitely not happening right now so I decided to do a Raffle for each of my books in turn. It was definitely something else I learnt; it didn’t generate much but it did get quite a few questions answered and of course, it kept the bus wheels turning. And in some ways spinning.
What would your playbus do? Read here
Early Years
Although I have not, as yet, returned to supply teaching, I did get invited to help out with Early Years Home and worked with ideas to go with my story books. I have enjoyed this.
I have taken part so far in a Buses Day – with ‘Daisy Daydream the Nursery Rhyme Bus’ Wednesday, 22 July 2020;
Spooky Tales Day – with ‘A Spooky Tale’- Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Christmas Play rehearsals Day – The Christmas Play Rehearsal - Wednesday, 9 December 2020
‘Jay-Jay the supersonic bus’ - Wednesday, 20 January 2021.
More days to follow, see below:
Keeping busy
Apart from a daily diary and website blogs my writing has been slow, a few poems and writing tasks for writing groups.
‘But then as summer started to come to an end there was talk of school…
“What is going to happen to me now?” I wondered. “Will I return to supply teaching?”'
What indeed would it be like now, and what would it be like for a supply teacher?
I was now able to do at least one day with my grandson so the thought of being ill and missing out a day with him was unthinkable. I hesitantly declined a few teaching days and then as covid numbers increased it was the vaccine I wanted to hold out for. 
So, my teaching journey, despite loving supply cover, seems to have come to a natural end.
Now comes the next part.
Early Years Days Planned (2021)
Look out for some online fun
7th April – Playbus Pirates
22nd April – Recycling World Day
30th April – Positivity Day
7th May - National Space Day
Plus, a few days ahead for ‘Jay-Jay and the Carnival’ with maybe ‘Sparky the Dragon Bus’, ‘Gloria the summer fun bus’ and hopefully ‘Barty Barton the Bear that was loved too much’.
Where will the bus stop next?
Watch this space
Where to get my books
Books are available from the following: My Books
Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Waterstones
Barnes&Noble Foyles (amongst others)
Don't forget to look and ask in your local Museum, book shop or even buy on your Sainsburys on line shop!
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