First Day Back

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Today was like any other first day of school for me: it was hot, I couldn't sleep for my excitement, and I wished I could have a few more days of summer vacation. The difference is that this time I'm the teacher and not the student.

I could barely get to sleep last night, my head spinning with all the ideas of how my classes might or might not go. And then this morning I awoke at 6am, half an hour earlier than necessary. Great, a full day on 5 hours of sleep.

Flag raising was the first order of the day for the new year. We teachers lined up by grade on the track, the sun beating down on us, the shade taunting us from a few meters away. The students lined up by class in perfect rows, standing at military attention, covering the entire field. It was so hot that a few students actually passed out or almost passed out and a few of the teachers crouched down due to light-headedness. Ranks were only broken when someone was escorted off the field because of the heat.
I find it ironic that most of the people got sick when the school doctor was giving her speech at the end.

The ceremony finally ended at 8:20, 20 minutes late. We had stood in the sun for 40 minutes. I was glad I didn't teach until 11:30 so I could lie down in my air conditioned room.


My first class was one of my 9th grade ones. I had the students last year as 8th graders and it was fun to see familiar faces. Unfortunately, I think they managed to forget all their vocabulary over the summer, despite having had homework. Or maybe it was because it was the last class before lunch on the first day of school and we were all wanting an extra day of summer vacation.

I attempted to nap with no luck. Of course. The day I really need it would be the day I can't relax. Having someone start playing music loudly in the music room next door (with the door open) didn't really help matters.

I had two 7th grade classes in the afternoon. I was a bit nervous. I have no idea what their English levels are like and I didn't teach 7th grade last year. I wonder how they will behave. I shouldn't have worried.
The first class was a bit quiet and reserved, and possibly afraid of me. The second class's computer suddenly stopped working 2 minutes before class, so I was forced to draw my photos on the chalkboard. Have you ever tried to draw an ice house on a lake and explain ice fishing? How about a map of the US? When I asked how many people lived in Minnesota, I got guesses ranging from 100 to 1 billion. Yep, all of China can fit comfortably in Minnesota.
Fortunately, the computer guy came and fixed the computer and I was able to show them the real photos (me sledding at age 3, for example) and not embarass myself anymore. But at least through my embarassment I got high interaction.

I concluded my day by getting my computer back in my room (Yeah, a spacebar that doesn't stick and a mouse that highlights!) and having dinner with Roy. We went to our usual noodle place. But I was so hot I had no desire to eat.

But I found room for ice cream on the way home.

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Comments

[Brooke]

I just wanted to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Sounds like your first day back went pretty well. I wish I could sit in! :)