Let's talk about my first time going to the school. Sorry this blog is really late.....buttt I have been really busy.
The teachers had to go in for meetings and classroom set up two weeks before the students were supposed to start. Of course, everyone was excited to get to go get to see the school and get to see their classrooms.
My experience was not the most pleasant. Here is how my day went.
We were served a catered breakfast by the school first thing in the morning. This was probably the best part of the day. It was odd though....a typical Egyptian breakfast. There was falafel sandwiches, foul sandwiches and pickled veggies. Foul is mashed fava beans...tastes just like refried beans. I still ate up though because I was super hungry!
After breakfast, we had an all staff meeting. It was pretty basic. They went over a lot of the same things that I already knew.
Then I had a new staff orientation.....again, where they went over things that I already knew, like the dress code! I was kind of disappointed. I think I was hoping for more of like, "We are so happy you are joining our team" kind of meeting and it was nothing like that at all.
After the meetings were over, I got to go see my classroom....Here is where the fun begins.....or should have anyway....
My classroom was NOT ready AT ALL! They were supposed to be working on it over the summer. They clearly did not do ANYTHING in our rooms. This was the same for all of the Grade 1 and 2 classrooms. My classroom had a few tables in it that were pre-k sized tables and some storage shelves....that was it.
The classroom was missing:
-Floors (they were supposed to put hardwood down)
-Rugs
-Tables/Chairs for students
-Teacher desk/cupboard
-Computer
-Projector
-Cubbies
-Blinds
-Bulletin Boards
-AC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Literally my classroom had nothing and was not ANYWHERE near being ready for students. So the three hours that were allotted for me to spend setting up my classroom were now wasted. What was I to do for 3 hours until it was time to go home?! Sure, I could have worked on decorations for the classroom or planning things for the first week of school.....but our staff office was also not ready....which meant I had no place to work, no internet to use, and no printer to use.
This was such a frustrating day for me. It was my first time really feeling a clash with the different cultures. My whole day felt like a huge waste of time. Yes we had meetings in the morning, but I was frustrated with those also since they didn't even share any new information with me....
But as always in teaching, you go to sleep and wake up and head back the next day with a smile on your face. And that's what I did.........after I went out for a drink that night. ;)
Here are photos of what my classroom looked like on the second day after they had brought a few pieces of furniture in.
The teachers had to go in for meetings and classroom set up two weeks before the students were supposed to start. Of course, everyone was excited to get to go get to see the school and get to see their classrooms.
My experience was not the most pleasant. Here is how my day went.
We were served a catered breakfast by the school first thing in the morning. This was probably the best part of the day. It was odd though....a typical Egyptian breakfast. There was falafel sandwiches, foul sandwiches and pickled veggies. Foul is mashed fava beans...tastes just like refried beans. I still ate up though because I was super hungry!
After breakfast, we had an all staff meeting. It was pretty basic. They went over a lot of the same things that I already knew.
Then I had a new staff orientation.....again, where they went over things that I already knew, like the dress code! I was kind of disappointed. I think I was hoping for more of like, "We are so happy you are joining our team" kind of meeting and it was nothing like that at all.
After the meetings were over, I got to go see my classroom....Here is where the fun begins.....or should have anyway....
My classroom was NOT ready AT ALL! They were supposed to be working on it over the summer. They clearly did not do ANYTHING in our rooms. This was the same for all of the Grade 1 and 2 classrooms. My classroom had a few tables in it that were pre-k sized tables and some storage shelves....that was it.
The classroom was missing:
-Floors (they were supposed to put hardwood down)
-Rugs
-Tables/Chairs for students
-Teacher desk/cupboard
-Computer
-Projector
-Cubbies
-Blinds
-Bulletin Boards
-AC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Literally my classroom had nothing and was not ANYWHERE near being ready for students. So the three hours that were allotted for me to spend setting up my classroom were now wasted. What was I to do for 3 hours until it was time to go home?! Sure, I could have worked on decorations for the classroom or planning things for the first week of school.....but our staff office was also not ready....which meant I had no place to work, no internet to use, and no printer to use.
This was such a frustrating day for me. It was my first time really feeling a clash with the different cultures. My whole day felt like a huge waste of time. Yes we had meetings in the morning, but I was frustrated with those also since they didn't even share any new information with me....
But as always in teaching, you go to sleep and wake up and head back the next day with a smile on your face. And that's what I did.........after I went out for a drink that night. ;)
Here are photos of what my classroom looked like on the second day after they had brought a few pieces of furniture in.
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| Our hallway |
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