My First 3 Days

Well, I made it through the first 3 days and so did all of my students. Monday was pretty rough. I haven't taught high school in 3-4 years and I forgot how tiring it can be. The kids are no different than those in the states - except they wanted to know if there were gangsters at the school where I taught, if all the kids have guns, and if I've ever been shot at.

I had a tough time controlling the classes on Monday, but whatever I did must have worked because they came in on Tuesday and today ready to do whatever I asked them to do.

There are so many policies that I don't know and I figure that when they are important, someone will tell me. I found out at 12:45 today that school ends at 1:50 every Wednesday instead of 3:25. For the first 2 days, a student has come around to collect an attendance sheet. I don't know how to fill out - so I just leave it blank. Maybe I'll find out before the week is out.

I'm getting to know the people in my department - the department head is a joke stealer though. he asked if I knew any good american okes, so I told him that best I had - the chicken joke. He liked it so much that he went and told the rest of the faculty and all of his students. He's a joke stealer, Jerry.

In all my years teaching, I've never taught in a classroom that has been in such bad shape. I've put some pictures on so you can get an idea. I cleaned it up a lot - I'll take pictures of the new improved room tomorrow and post them.

Thanks for all your prayers - I needed them this week. I have 2 more days and then I have a 2 week holiday (aka vacation).