On Saturday, I had pizza with bananas on it. It was surprisingly delicious, so now I'll have to make my family put bananas on frozen pizza. We also watched National Treasure, one of my favorite movies. What I realized, though, is that it's kind of strange to watch a movie full of American history while in another country.
On Sunday, we went to the beach! It was a beautiful day, ergo the beach was pretty crowded. But now I can say I've seen an ocean that's not the Atlantic!
Okay, now I'll tell you all about my first day of student teaching. I got there at 7:40am or so and went straight into a staff meeting. The principal was talking about school stuff and birthdays and whatnot, and then he said my name! He welcomed me to the school, said where I was from, and completely embarrassed me. One of the teachers even added me in during the prayer, hoping I feel comfortable and find a home at Herbert Hurd. Honestly, I could not have felt more welcome.
My first impression of my mentor teacher, Erin, is as follows: SO COOL! She jokes around with the students all the time, she isn't strict or mean but firm when needed, and she is basically the teacher I have been planning to be for the past year and a half. I am so incredibly excited to get to know her better personally and as a teacher.
My first impression of the students is as follows: So. Well. Behaved. Yes, they chatter, but compared to what I've dealt with in Athens, they were like angels. They stand up to greet the teachers in the morning and the afternoon. They say "ma'am" all the time (even to me!). And these particular kids seem very sweet, and they could not stop complimenting me. "Ma'am, I like your hair. Ma'am, I like your smile. Ma'am, you're very pretty." (Just imagine those words being said by a 10-year-old in a South African accent! I almost died!) If nothing else, being a teacher is definitely good for my self-esteem.
I can't believe my student teaching is here already. It seems like last week I was applying to get into the program at UGA. And now I'm beginning the last leg of the journey. Crazy!
Wow...what another huge difference. I wonder where this disposition toward learning comes from...do you think they have more respect for teachers or just adults in general? It reminds me again why travel teaches so much.
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I don't know, Beth! I haven't seen them interact with adults that aren't teachers, but even students who are not in my class will say "Morning ma'am!" It's so nice!
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