The Journey Inward

Today was the first day of school for me! Meanwhile, the kids have been in school for about 5 weeks! I am the one needing to get up to speed!

The school is a 5 minute drive from my house and I left around 6:50, as we have to be on campus by 7:10 and I wanted time to navigate the many roundabouts! There is a security gate and the guards greet you as you use your badge to get through. There is a lane for staff and another for visitors. The guards were friendly and excited to welcome me.

A coffee truck was parked in the lot, so teachers were starting to gather. When a teacher or a group would spot me, they would immediately come over and say hi. They went out of their way to make me feel at home and offered help with any questions. It seems that most teachers are locals, not internationals.

From there, I checked in at the office and was met by the principal and the real backbone of any building, the secretary! Andrea showed me to my classroom, which was a beautiful walk outdoors across the small campus. She was warm and friendly and helpful.

I guess the best way to differentiate the schools I’ve taught at from this American International School is that the indoor and outdoor spaces are seamless. There are a strip of classrooms for grades 3-5 (I haven’t had a chance to explore where the K-2 and middle school are housed) and they have both front and back doors that open to the outside play and green areas. The kids’ cubbies are outside and they pop in and out of the room as they need something. The American schools where I’ve worked have all been just one building with a playground outside.

The woman who has been teaching the class is a permanent sub and is on hand daily for whoever needs it. Last year she subbed in 3rd grade to start the year for a teacher who never came! She is young and beautiful and expecting her second baby. She was so gracious and humble, deferring to me way more than she needed to as she knew the students and schedule and curriculum. My teammate is very kind and sharing and organized. We actually walked outside the gates during part of our prep.

Several students came by when they recognized me from the video I sent. With only 11 students, names were pretty easy to learn! A few parents dropped in, as well. A 5th grade teacher from two doors down came to introduce herself and told me to knock on Avi’s wall (4th grade) and he’d knock on her wall to let them know I needed help!

The kids play outside until the bell rings at 7:40. It’s sweet to see them all playing out there and again, a very different vibe. Teachers are required to complete several duties a week, and one of these is morning duty (I get to do that tomorrow morning!).

The classroom is small and sweet and the kids sit at tables in somewhat of a circle. There is a small library and an interactive screen. The day is long and packed, though the students get a half hour break for snack and play time (teachers supervise this, as well). Lunch is 55 minutes (I supervised that today) and the cafeteria is outside, though it was chilly today, so some side panels were pulled down. They line up at one of three microwaves if they want to heat their meal and there is a vending machine. There’s no cafeteria that makes food, but parents can order from two local restaurants and the food is delivered there. Smoothies were very common at the tables!

Despite all the PE activity outside their open door (and pool activity soon!), the kids aren’t distracted at all by the noise and seeing what their peers are doing. They have typical kid fidgets and like to call out, but their vocabulary (both receptive and expressive) was incredibly impressive! Plus, most have accents, so everything sounds so lyrical to my ears!

Other observations: the school day is longer than many international schools and most domestic ones I know. Teachers work from 7:10-3:30. Students are in class from 7:40 am to 3:00 pm, though they have two specials a day. Teachers have to teach an enrichment class after school for one term. If they do more, they get paid. They do not get paid for the duties. (Or shall I say we?) No one seems to mind, which is also very different from the U.S! The kids walk to specials and lunch and snack on their own, outside and across campus and into buildings or just outdoors.

Random notes from yesterday: The vast majority of cars here are white. My coteacher said it’s because of the heat. Also, when you go to a shopping center, there are people waiting in the parking lots to help you carry, push and load your purchases. Then they help you back out of your space. They are so friendly and and helpful, but are typically tipped just 10 or 25 cents. I don’t have any local coins yet, so that’s my goal for the weekend or early next week.