I've made it! I'm finally done my first half term at my new school. In England, schools run on three terms (semesters) with a break in the middle of each term and a break at the end of each term. It adds up to a lot of breaks, but they teach until mid-July or end of July in some schools.
So. It's been hard. I've almost given up under the stress. Too much work. Too much pressure. I'm barely holding on but I'm trying very hard to stay on top of things. I am teaching grade 6-11 chemistry and grade 6 physics, plus homeroom, plus on Fridays I take a few kids off-campus to volunteer at a disabled centre (mandatory volunteer that is). Science teachers have to take in one or two pieces of marking each week for each class. That's 230 pieces a week for me. This would be fine if I wasn't having to lesson plan / unit plan / report write / student manage / BREATHE on top of this. It's a very tense demanding school. The Head of Chemistry has already come into my class for the second observation!
My hardest adjustment to make is culture shock. Yes, I know I've lived here for 3 years already, but I've never been submersed into the British style of employment. There is almost no positive reinforcement. Stiff upper lip, no fuss and all that. This is hard for me to deal with. I live off of praise. My last two schools were more American than British or Canadian. This meant things were a bit over the top with positive comments but at least I got them. I've gone from "
That was the most wonderful class I have ever observed - ever!" to "
It was fine. Now, some concerns I have are..." and then conversation continues with a list of very minute details that aren't really a concern, but one must give one's employee a list of 'constructive criticism' or how will one improve. Agreed. But, a list of positive reinforcement prior to the constructive criticism would do wonders to cushion my sensitive North American ego!
I suppose these comments aren't fair. I've been given loads of uplifting encouragement, support and acknowledgment from other Heads and some staff, just not from the people I really want to impress.
The school is transitioning between the old school teaching of 'sit down, shut up, write 60 mins of notes, go home and memorize them' to the new school teaching of interactive, exploratory and self learning. They want to transition (which is why they've hired new teachers like me) but they're scared of change (which is why they're so demanding). This, of course, is only my observations and not official :) If I can get through this year and prove myself to them, next year should be great.
Outside of work, I'm trying to get myself settled into the community so I'm going to the gym and I've joined a volleyball league (hard to find in the UK).
Oh, did I mention that I'm trying to find time to cook and clean as well??? Thank God Nick does all the cleaning and laundry on top of supporting me and making sure I haven't forgot anything (like to eat). I don't know what I'd do without him.
I'm getting there, but man am I glad I have two weeks off.
It hasn't been all work... Here's a bit of the cool stuff we've been up to.
We took the kids to near-by Knebworth House
to watch a mock jousting competition,
and walk the beautiful grounds which held a hedge maze, carvings from tree stumps
and a luscious fruit & veggie garden.
The person who took a bite from this apple didn't even wait to pick it from the tree!
Nick and I rode our motorbikes to watch Christie row at Ross-on-Wye. We stayed at a gorgeous B&B,
which was something one could only find in England. I found myself wondering how I could re-create this in a new home in Canada.
After Ross, we rode along the winding country lanes through Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's home) and explored some cute pubs and beautiful countryside.
Nick found some rednecked Brits
who took him out shooting. Turns out rednecks aren't just in Alberta.
I saw David Beckham jogging near our house.
It was my birthday. The big 3-0! Mom and Jim got Nick and I tickets to go see the Westend show Spamalot (Monty Python live theatre). Nick gave me diamond earrings! (Exactly what I wanted - right size, shape and beauty) Nick also gave me (us) a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland which we're taking next week.
To celebrate the big 30, Nick and I went to
Macbeth starring none other than Patrick Stewart as Macbeth himself and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth. It was nothing short of brilliant.
We booked a holiday to go skiing with the kids in Italy over Christmas.
We've bought a new bathroom which will be installed over the next month or two.
Our friends had a little baby boy and I cross-stiched a birth sampler for him. (Aren't I my mother's daughter!)
And, that's about all that's happened over the last time I've posted. That's plenty enough. I hope you are all well, happy and healthy. Hopefully I'll post again in a couple of weeks and tell you all about Edinburgh and Nick's brother's wedding in the Lake District.
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