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Afwan

Today an Arabic teacher who speaks VERY little English thanked me in the staff meeting for helping her with activities and for reading to her kids while she had no English teacher. It was really no bother and I did it because the kids needed some English while we were waiting for the teacher to arrive. I wouldve continued to help her in any way I could until someone was placed in her room.

The kids listened attentively and seemed nothing like the way they were described to me by the teacher who left. Now when they see me they smile and wave. It feels good :-).

We got two new teachers today and it was much faster than anyone expected. They have lots of experience,more than most of us there,and Im sure things will work out well with them. Im willing to go ahead and say that there will be no more of the issues that seemed to be present before.Not as in disappeared but that they will be dealt with.


Today was another one of those days.Not a bad day but a day without my coteacher. This was a good indication of how it will be when she goes on maternity leave. Circle time this morning was great as well as many of our whole group activities for the first part of the day. The second half was a bit of a struggle and not with their activities but that they were already ready to go home about 45 mins before time. All it takes is ONE person to say "home" or to get their bookbags and EVERYONE follows suit. The other thing is them cleaning up after themselves. This is something new and Im not even sure it will catch on. After all, we are here to teach and not to change the culture.Having said that, there are "home rules" and "school rules" and I am not a maid and the ladies in our building should be cleaning the building and not after kids. I dont see anything wrong with responsibility.

Today, I left my room soon after the bell. It looked like confetti was popped on the floor and I couldnt bare to look at the lady when she came in to clean. At the very least, I put the chairs up on the table. I looked around for a spare broom to no avail and I knew that if I asked for one, shed come immediately to see what the problem was to fix it.

I rationalized it by weighing my day and I would take a productive and mostly calm day over a clean room anytime. Sitting on the carpet today with the kids this morning I actually felt like a teacher again and it was nice.Not that I dont otherwise but Im not in my own room and although my teacher welcomed me and I am able to make changes to the room at will, I know that I am a guest in her room and I cant just move things as I please.

Regardless of location,commute,etc, I really have a good placement and that makes a big difference in the time spent here.That and the fact that I have a shorter day than most and especially that Im not working until 8 or 9 at  night like I was many nights back home.

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