Here is a little bit snapshot of what my first week looked like:
Days 1-3:
Such a blur. The first few days went pretty well. Just the normal amount of craziness that is to be expected in the beginning of the year. The students were so cute and excited to be at school.
I team teach with another teacher so we share two classes of kids for a total of 38 students. This means that I only teach Language Arts and Social Studies and my partner teacher does Math and Science.
My biggest challenges the first few days were learning names and remembering what I did with which group. The kids are lucky because they don't have to learn anyone's name. The students address all the teachers as "Miss." There is one little girl however, who calls me "MissJaneLee!" Luckily my name is only two syllables.
Days 4-7:
Adjusting like crazy this week and learning a lot...
1. Teaching different grades in elementary can really be like completely different jobs.
2. 9AM rolls around and it's tough - we're all starving (students + teacher). Days start really early here. Kids are in my room at 6:50.
3. 9AM - also the hottest part of the day.
4. Finally on day 7 I learned to strategically position everyone under the fans and have them eat a snack with a timer. 9AM on day 7? Exponentially better. Small successes like these can make a teacher's day.
5. Why with a timer? Because of instructional minutes! Schedules never include passing time.
6. There's a lady at school that calls me "Miss Jahnay" but it sounds like "Miss Llane" when she says it. Funny every time.
7. Mosquitoes are my biggest problem.
8. Mosquitoes are everywhere.
9. Today I ran out of my room because I moved a box and a swarm of mosquitoes came flying out from under.
10. All I want to talk about are mosquitoes.
Some photos of my classroom:
Something else I have always believed but never experienced firsthand until now -- The importance of students having teachers that look like them or have a similar background as them. There is a sizable Korean population at the school (maybe 1-5 per grade) and some of the kids have approached me in the cutest ways. A couple of 2nd grade girls approached me during recess and gave me a vocabulary test to make sure I was "really Korean." I'm glad that something so simple could be exciting for them.
The day I don't have any mosquito bites will be the day that is exciting for me.
Your classroom looks spacious and welcoming. Your outlook sounds optimistic and welcoming of the adventure (despite certain challenges). The students sound very sweet. (Are they all?) The mosquitos though! Ugh! They must really really suck! (Bad pun) Are the students and other locals as bothered by them, or are the mosquitos plaguing the newbies? Try lavender water. A nature preserve I visited in Hawaii had us spray ourselves with water they had put lavender oil in as an alternative to bug spray. In the meantime, I know it sounds weird, but rubbing the inside of a banana peel on bites really helps sooth the itch. Hang in there (and keep posting updates)!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristin! I'm sure all of the students have something that is sweet about them (trying to stay positive). Unfortunately, the mosquitoes seem to bite everyone, including locals. Well, not everyone, but those who get bit get bit - regardless of whether they're Nicas (Nicaraguans) or not. I'll try the lavender water and banana peels!
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