Finally I have made a start doing what I came here to do...teaching!! This week began with a 'Superintendent's Day'. In the morning my Principal held a staff meeting. Totally different from what I am used to in the UK. For a start, the PTA provided a fantastic breakfast of bagels and pastries and coffee. Also the staff at Central Park is MUCH larger than I am used to as it is for grades K - 8. After a morning of interesting meetings (and a fire drill) all the teachers in Schenectady went to the High School. There the Superintendent addressed us and then we had a motivational speaker. All I will say is I am not surprised motivational speaking has not caught on in the UK.
My first 3 days teaching my 4th Grade class have been fantastic! I have 21 children and a fantastic 'Para' (Teaching Assistant). All the children have been polite and interested in me and I am very impressed with their ability levels. I actually recieved 2 apples on the first day from the children. I thought 'apple for the teacher' was an urban myth! The picture at the top is my classroom - a work in progress! The only (small) fly in the ointment is there is no bloody kettle. So no cups of tea. Everyone in the US wanders round with huge coffees from Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks so I suppose there is no need. Finding it difficult without a nice cup of tea at some point in the working day though!!
