I have almost over 36K of you on Youtube (and rapidly rising), a few of you on here and over 7K of you on Instagram. I think it would be absolutely ludicrous of me not to use my 'following' as a good thing and as a way to get the message out about this and to raise awareness. 

2 weeks ago (I think.. time is going crazy fast) my poor beautiful mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In fact, she has two types in her breast, one that is early stage breast cancer because it was caught very early and one that is a bad type of cancer.. well they're all bad, but I guess a more invasive type of cancer that will do it's best to spread like mad. SO FAR SO GOOD. 

Mum has had little to no time to come to a decision about what to do. Doctor's say, they have caught it early, so can remove the breast and lymph nods etc..  which is what mum will do. But until they have the breast tissue and all of that gunky stuff under the microscope, they won't know if it has spread to her armpit lymph nods. Following? This means, we are not quite sure if mum will need radiation or chemo just yet. 

I am incredibly positive and incredibly thankful for the Australian system for essentially so far saving my mums life. 

You see, my Great Gran had Breast Cancer and my gorgeous Granny and several others in between going way way back. Cancer is a HUGE part of my family unfortunately and I have always been surrounded by it and lost 2 souls to it. I am not a negative person, but I would have to be stupid not to think one of us, being my mum or myself would get Breast Cancer. I just didn't think it could be ALL OF US, for generations to come.

If you didn't know this already, this is why I am writing this. There are two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. These are passed down from either sides of your parents families. Now it doesn't mean that everyone will carry the gene, so I am staying hopeful, but being realistic if you have had one or more females in your family (AT LEAST) diagnosed under the age of 50.. you have to be prepared. 

Breast cancer: About 12 percent of women in the general population will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives (4). By contrast, according to the most recent estimates, 55 to 65 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation and around 45 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70 years (5, 6).

My Granny was diagnosed at 59 and my Mum at 47. That is a large gap in between the ages, meaning it is getting lower each time. My mum will undergo the genetic testing first, and if she is positive then I will almost definitely be positive. If she is not, then I will thank my lucky stars. Doctor's asked my mum how old I was in order to 'calm my nerves' I guess, and they have said if I took away 10 years from mums diagnosis, that is how long I could essentially keep my boobs. 

But hey... why put yourself through that? Always knowing that one day you'll have to have the chop. That is why I think, if I am positive, I will have my breasts removed in my early 30s or sooner depending. 

I digress. So, that's it guys, that is why I have been absent a little. My mum is fine, I am fine and we are all incredibly positive, this is nothing new and certainly isn't anything we cannot handle!! I am only announcing this on here and no where else, so if you have read this, Thank you! Please remember to always check your breasts, self check, there are plenty of videos on Youtube. Even get your mum to check.. it's not 'gross or embarrassing' it can save your life. If you believe you have a history of Breast Cancer in your family and you are my age (23) and concerned.. go and talked to a genetic councillor. I will be! You can get tested for the gene. 

I will keep you updated and I hope this makes sense!

If you have been affected by this blog post or would like to read more please go to: Cancer.Gov

Love always,

Maddie 

Today I am sharing with you all my 5 must know tips for when you are on your teaching internship. If I knew these when I was going on my internship or even just my final pracs, I swear life at a beginning teacher would have been a lot easier. 

NUMBER ONE:

In this article I am going to be talking a lot about how teachers are a community of sharers, and that it is okay to borrow information, ideas and resources or even just been inspired by other teachers and how they teach. In fact, I really do suggest that even as a beginning teacher you aim to observe at least 3 other teachers in action per term in order to add to your own teaching toolkit. 

This leads me to the first major tip for you when you're on your internship. USE PINTEREST on a daily basis. Pinterest will be your guiding light through your internship and through teaching. It is full of ideas, and resources and I just find other amazing teachers and their blogs on there which I am so inspired by. A lot of teachers in Australia don't use pinterest and/or have never even heard about it. So your ideas and creativity are bound to stand out to the school you are at and your mentoring teacher. 

NUMBER TWO: 

Photocopy everything you can find and add it to your teaching resources folder (with your mentors permission of course). Photocopy how they organise their reading groups, their timetable, their homework, how they do maths warm-ups.. the whole shebang! One thing I regret not taking advantage of, was the fact that my mentor teacher told me 'go through all my folders and take whatever you want' and I didn't because I felt bad. Now I wish I could remember how she structured her reading groups and phonics lessons. These are two things I am currently struggling with (organisation wise). 

NUMBER THREE:

This tip may or may not get you a job at your internship school so listen up! I did this, and was told the only reason I didn't get offered a job was simply because there were no positions to be filled (thinking back at it I am glad because I love the school I am at now and couldn't love my job anymore than I do) but I know a lot of you will be stressing about finding a job after your internship. 

Hold a 'culminating afternoon' or day.  This is where you can showcase to your mentor, your students parents, other teachers and even possibly the principal of the school what you have done on your entire internship and the journey you have taken with the students. I filmed the excursion we went on and edited it into a cool movie and then played that for parents and family with popcorn, treats and students work displayed. It was super fun and very rewarding. 

My mentor told me that an old pre-service student of hers held a whole cultural day for the school and was offered permanency on the spot! So it does work. 

There you have it, my secrets and MUST DO tips!

Leave your burning questions and comments below as always.

Maddie x