So, I know that I promised some of you I would update this more often than I have and I apologize. I don't have Internet at home yet so I have to go out to use it. I hate trying to do it at work because it isn't really comfortable to do it there and I like to keep that for work.
Anyway, I am still enjoying it here. I do a lot of walking around to see the neighborhoods and have had a great number of conversations with students who let me know how to correctly pronounce certain words.
I realize it might be a little odd to say, but I have found that the English accent (Not Welsh, Scottish, or Irish) seems to be more of a southern, almost African-American accent with the pronunciation of most things. The slur of some sounds and they way they pronounce words like tomato and potato (tomato has the long a sound).
What else to update you all on. I guess the first thing is the tough news first. Thursday was a really rough day for me. Things did not go well for my classes and I walked out feeling like I would pack my bags and leave. I had forgotten what it was like to be the new person here. I have realized in the days since that the reputation I built in Seattle is not totally going to work here. These are kids with a lot of issues.
Let me frame it this way. I don't agree totally with the fact that some teachers at the school find they have to pretty much yell at kids for every little thing. I realize you have to establish control, but it isn't my style. Yet I also know that I can't continue to be as passive as I tend to be. There is a fine line. I have things I need to work on to be the teacher I know I can be. But let's be honest, there are days you want to scream and cry and hit things in any job. This is a learning experience for me and I am learning that even though I have an idea that might be good, I need some more foundation for it. Being the nice guy takes work....ask my first students I taught at Center!
Other than that, it has been good news. This last Sunday, the teachers from Science, IT, and Math were invited out for a teacher day. Some of our year 11 students went on a trip to a "team building" location (one of those places where you do high ropes, building, team work things) to get to know their teachers and have some fun. Sunday was the day after the students left and the teachers were going out to have some fun.
Those of you who know me, know that heights are not my favorite thing. Well, I was able to do abseiling (repelling for the rest of you) off of a tower. Our group was the first to do it. Is done with a safety rope (Mom, now you can rest easy), and it was easy to do. The hardest part is waling backward to the edge of the wall and leaning back. I was like the 4th or 5th person to do it and man, I was jumping down that wall. I even went back and did it a second time. I would have done it more if we had more time. Some of the people were so terrified and since they went before me, I felt a little better and a little more confident.
That day, we did the abseiling, crate stacking (where we had to build the highest tower of crates we could, but we could only stand on stacks of crates that were 2 high and after that we had to be harnesed up on ropes. I held one person going up), and archery. We have a great embarassing movie of our archery team losing the competition and us doing a stupid dance! I will have to see if I can get some of those files!
I have found a church to go to. It is within walking distance and I really like the people there so far, although I have only been once. If you want to know more about it email me.
Other than that, life is pretty normal. I have watched most of the movies I have several times and am enjoying watching director commentary. The thing to remember about being over here is that by the time I wrap up at work and can get home, I only have about an hour or so before stores close. Things around here close at 6 or 7 so shopping is like a weekend thing. Also, I have to rely on busses, so timing my travel is a little tricky. So far though, I have found almost everything I need, although for some reason dryer sheets are not to be found.
I really like the people I work with...they are a great bunch who like to laugh. We have our own area to hang out in, so we are kind of antisocial with the rest of the school, but it works out well. I have a cool mentor helping me out and he is working on getting me qualified over here, which means I make more and I am able to teach here for as long as I like. It will also look good on any future applications.
Other than that, I don't have much else to say. I love the weather, although I would like a little more consistancy (cold mornings and hot days). My next big adventure will be to get a bed next week (hopefully) and see about stocking up my place.
I put my address in an earlier post, so if you want to see this area, use GoogleEarth and check it out. It is fairly nice and I am having fun.
I miss all of my friends and family and wish I could pick up a phone to talk with you, but soon I will have my own internet connection and can IM all the time!
Pictures to start coming next month when I have time to upload them and get more batteries for my camera.
Have fun!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Almost forgot
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM....I don't know if she reads this....but at least everyone will know I didn't forget.
06/09/2008
Thats right folks, I am officially over here and learning the correct ways to do things, like write the date!
I have started work, I have a place to live, and I am writing this entry in a Starbucks.
First, work is fairly different. I have had some really great classes and some that were not so great. I have kids that are younger than I am used to, but most of them have been great. Wednesday was my first day teaching and it didn't go as well as I wanted. Thursday got better and Friday was great....except for the fight that broke out after the kids left my class.
It is slightly true what people have said...this is a tougher school. Let me paint the picture for you: Kids here go to grammer school first and after that are tested for where they go. If they do well, they go to the good schools. That right there means we lose a number of good students, but not all. Then the rest of the kids (all who have been told they weren't that great or who have learning, social, or behaviorial issues) are spread around. We have the best school of them all, at least statistically speaking. For any of my old students reading this, no I don't think they are better than you, but there are some I am liking a little more! (Just kidding)
Work is easier in the sense that I have technitions who get me everything I need for class, if I let them know ahead of time, and I have lessons already done for me that I just need to present. It is easy in that sense, but it is still difficult because I am fresh meat and am deperatly trying to memorize names so I can call kids out.
As for living.....I am getting used to my new place. I have what is considered a bedsit....which means I have a room with small kitchen facilities. The floor that I live on I share the toilets with two other people. We have a room with a toilet and sink, a room with a shower and toilet, and a room with a bath and toilet. It works, but it is odd to not have a more private place. It was an adventure my first night, since I didn't have a bed. I had to lay out clothes I wasn't going to use and sleep on those.....I don't want to do that again!
If you want to see the area I am living in, you can chec out Southend-on-sea, Essex. It is a nice area, a short ride from my school and with easy access to most of what I need.
For those of you wondering....yes I would welcome anything you wanted to send....however, if it is a package, you would probably do best making sure it arrives on a Saturday or Sunday until I verify shipping. Right now....anything to help me get by like packaged food and small luxuries would be nice. I am set for basics....although movies would be great.....talk to my sister about sending me my movies.
I am slowing getting used to things. The prices aren't that bad...unless I try to convert them. Most groceries I can get for the same price or cheaper here. Some things are hard to find, but I haven't tried that many stores. My big next projects are saving for a bed/futon, a chair, and storage for stuff in my tiny room.
One other note....I said I was writing from Starbucks....It is hard to find free WiFi here. I have to pay for this time so I am trying to make the most of it.
Sorry about no pictures....Finding usable internet has been a little difficult.... that and I have been just trying to survive. I do promise to post more as time rolls on.
On the serious side....thanks to those of you who have been writing to keep in touch. It makes me smile and almost cry( I am man enough to admit I can cry) to know how much you still care about me and wonder how things are going.
Let me know how things are going with you and keep me updated. I miss you all and I am having the time of my life. I probably won't travel much this first month with limited finances and all, but life around here is still good.
Let me know what you think and if you post questions I will try and answer them ASAP.
Peace from the UK,
Tom
I have started work, I have a place to live, and I am writing this entry in a Starbucks.
First, work is fairly different. I have had some really great classes and some that were not so great. I have kids that are younger than I am used to, but most of them have been great. Wednesday was my first day teaching and it didn't go as well as I wanted. Thursday got better and Friday was great....except for the fight that broke out after the kids left my class.
It is slightly true what people have said...this is a tougher school. Let me paint the picture for you: Kids here go to grammer school first and after that are tested for where they go. If they do well, they go to the good schools. That right there means we lose a number of good students, but not all. Then the rest of the kids (all who have been told they weren't that great or who have learning, social, or behaviorial issues) are spread around. We have the best school of them all, at least statistically speaking. For any of my old students reading this, no I don't think they are better than you, but there are some I am liking a little more! (Just kidding)
Work is easier in the sense that I have technitions who get me everything I need for class, if I let them know ahead of time, and I have lessons already done for me that I just need to present. It is easy in that sense, but it is still difficult because I am fresh meat and am deperatly trying to memorize names so I can call kids out.
As for living.....I am getting used to my new place. I have what is considered a bedsit....which means I have a room with small kitchen facilities. The floor that I live on I share the toilets with two other people. We have a room with a toilet and sink, a room with a shower and toilet, and a room with a bath and toilet. It works, but it is odd to not have a more private place. It was an adventure my first night, since I didn't have a bed. I had to lay out clothes I wasn't going to use and sleep on those.....I don't want to do that again!
If you want to see the area I am living in, you can chec out Southend-on-sea, Essex. It is a nice area, a short ride from my school and with easy access to most of what I need.
For those of you wondering....yes I would welcome anything you wanted to send....however, if it is a package, you would probably do best making sure it arrives on a Saturday or Sunday until I verify shipping. Right now....anything to help me get by like packaged food and small luxuries would be nice. I am set for basics....although movies would be great.....talk to my sister about sending me my movies.
I am slowing getting used to things. The prices aren't that bad...unless I try to convert them. Most groceries I can get for the same price or cheaper here. Some things are hard to find, but I haven't tried that many stores. My big next projects are saving for a bed/futon, a chair, and storage for stuff in my tiny room.
One other note....I said I was writing from Starbucks....It is hard to find free WiFi here. I have to pay for this time so I am trying to make the most of it.
Sorry about no pictures....Finding usable internet has been a little difficult.... that and I have been just trying to survive. I do promise to post more as time rolls on.
On the serious side....thanks to those of you who have been writing to keep in touch. It makes me smile and almost cry( I am man enough to admit I can cry) to know how much you still care about me and wonder how things are going.
Let me know how things are going with you and keep me updated. I miss you all and I am having the time of my life. I probably won't travel much this first month with limited finances and all, but life around here is still good.
Let me know what you think and if you post questions I will try and answer them ASAP.
Peace from the UK,
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)