School!!!



My first day of school! I was told to be ready by 7 for the bus to come get me. This information was provided by my head of faculty who was just guessing since no one at ADEC had bothered to contact me with any info about pick & drop off. I'm learning to be like water and just flow. So after my skype conference with the Chairmen(my 2yr old nephew), his assistant(my 4 yr old niece), their Dad(my brother) and my Mom I got ready and headed down for breakfast at 6:35. Plenty of time to eat and make it to the bus. NOT!!! I was met by a man asking if I was a teacher followed by "You're late!" lol I told him no one told me anything then he insisted I get breakfast to go but the restaraunt wouldn't let me take anything... deep breath: I'm water...so I took a yogurt and went to the bus.

On the bus I learned that we were going to pick up other teachers in Ruwais and the children then we would all ride together. The ride was nice. I tried to speak with a few of the teachers but they speak little English I speak even less Arabic lol but we made due. Once inside the most important part of the morning is greeting the principal. I've been warned many times over to ALWAYS greet the principal. I met her and that started the task of the day. How to say or shorten my name. I gave her a shortened version but taught everyone else how to say it and by the end of the day she was on board as well. It's amusing how proud people become when they can say my name lol.

There are only 4 classes in the school, two KG1 and two KG 2. The day begins with Assembly at 7:30-8 then everyone goes to class.  At 10am they break for breakfast. I am with KG2(5-6 yr olds) the majority of the day and with KG1(3-4 yr olds) for 15min or 30min depending on the day. This week I am following the lesson plans of the LT that's there but honestly I'm having a hard time making heads or tales of it. School ends at 12:30 and we have meetings till abotu 1:45 then we must be out of the building at 2. Well all but me 'cause the driver takes home the kids at 1230, Arabic teachers at 2 then comes back for me. This is temporary. I also have to get there early. It'll be nice to get to Ghayathi and have a better transportation plan. Overall it's not bad though. I love the kids already and their receptive English is pretty good. I'm just glad to be back in the classroom after these months of waiting.