Former Expat Teacher Acclimating to the American Way!

We were walking into the building at the same time and he saw me (his teacher) coming in at the same time as he was. He smiled and I said good morning in English and then Arabic. Eventually he responded and I thanked him. I thought hed be a hard nut to crack and at times he really tries my nerves but he has his days-or better yet moments. Im happy that he was happy to see me :-)

But the question is, "do you really want to"? We all want to know what to do,what to bring, what to leave behind,etc,etc. The easy answer from some is to "leave it all,you can get it all here" and I can imagine those same people with crazy looks after some of the questions they read. Yes,yes-you can get skirts here, meds here,your kids fave toys and ones they havent dreamt of, undies here,hair products here,deoderant here-the list goes on and on. And you would make it ok if you left it all behind and decided to get things once here.If you are a person who can get by easily with little AND dont want to pay a lot for overage charges on bags,it would be wise,wise,wise to fill your bag with things for work.Even if you brought nothing but English books (low level,like 3 grades less than what you are teaching if not more in some instances) What you (probably) wont find? grits an electric shaver for women hair products for people with locs (in general stores and i...

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.

I went to Wallmart today lol!

though its really not that serious,lol. Today my coteacher was not in. A glimse into the future as she is pregnant and due in April. Fridays are light days anyway so it wasnt that big of an issue. I kept them busy in centers and we had circle time at the end of the day. Things worked out well-they were occupied and busy in various centers. The most difficult part of the day, if I had to choose one,would be cleaning time and Im sure everyone knows why. At home its a good thing to do for children.Here? Not so much.

There are quite a few things Id like to write about that are mulling around in my head but Ill wait on those as Im not sure how to say it in the best way to get my point across without completely putting readers off. Yes,I am entitled to my thoughts and feelings but I would also like for my words to be understood. But that could be asking too much because people often cant get over themselves and their own opinions to do that. For the moment, I will write about my week thus far. Its going very well and the changes I have made to my LPs have made a difference. It would behove everyone to note some VIP thing in regards to being here and working in your room. No man is an Island. There is more than one way.Im sure you believe it but your way probably isnt the best way,You cant recreate your classroom from before,most people cant (and/or refuse to) see their own mistakes/shortcomings/downfalls,and it is CRUCIAL for everyone involved if you find a way to mix the old with the new unti...

Abu Dhabi+fog=a late start to the school day and little to no kids The foggy season is starting and its so thick that you cant see 20 feet in front of you (or less at times) and crazy people speed by as if there is nothing blocking the view. Today was worse than yesterday and yesterday at least two people lost their lives,15 were injured. At some point Im going to get a car-summer perhaps.I wonder if that will raise my stress level (which is very low) and/or lower my quality of living here.