This was our first week in the schools and it was an eventful one. Everyone had a different experience so it is very interesting to talk with everyone when we get home to the hotel at night. Sunday, instead of working, we had off because it is was the final day of the Eid holiday. Now we are back to the normal schedule- no more Ramadan, no Eid, just regular work. And places will be open normal hours, so we can start to learn what normal actually is here.
Sunday night we got a note under our doors telling us to be on a bus at 6 a.m. Monday to head into Abu Dhabi for a big kick-off ceremony of the new model of schools. There were around 6,000 people there and it was on the news here. Of course, they tell us to be on the bus, and we are, but for some reason it doesn't leave until 7:15. Then it was supposed to start at 9, but really that means stand around and drink coffee for about an hour or two before anything starts. Once we finally got everyone into the big auditorium, they talked to us in Arabic. There was a translator, and we had to wear a little earpiece in our ear to hear her, but it was very difficult to understand. I'm sure it was very good, but I think I missed a lot of it. We took a break around 12 because it was time to pray, and they fed us sandwiches. I think we were only supposed to eat one small one, but because everyone from Al Ain had missed breakfast at the hotel, we all had at least three thinking we wouldn't be eating until we got back. It was supposed to go until 3. So about 1, we go back into the hall and listen to some more Arabic, then at 3 o'clock, they invite us for lunch!!! WOW! After Ramadan, all they do here is EAT!!! Most of us just wanted to go home and couldn't even think about food because we had eaten so many sandwiches, but it was a huuuge buffett. I checked out the dessert section but I couldn't even look at the food. I guess we were on the news that night, so that is pretty neat.
Tuesday, I was supposed to go to a training in Al Qu'aa. It is about an hour and a half from here, out in the desert. It is a half an hour past my school. Well, we get a bus to school, but someone in charge forgot to confirm the bus for us for Tuesday. So everyone was trying to figure out how we were going to get there. I asked if I should take a taxi and was told not to, so I decided to go outside on Tuesday morning and wait for the school bus. If it came, I would go to training, and if it didn't I wouldn't go. Well I waited and waited and no school bus, so I went to eat breakfast instead. Then a person from ADEC showed up and talked to us about it and said that it is out of our hands. ADEC did not want to put teachers out that far, but one of the principals heard about the LT's (licensed teachers- us) going to the other schools and called the sheik and made it happen. So now we have to go out there. But he said that we shouldn't worry about it and if the bus didn't show the next day, we should just go back to bed then, too. We would get there when the bus comes. So I ended up with a free day but everyone at all the other schools got to meet the Arabic teachers and see some of the schools and learn a little bit more about everything.
Wednesday, THE BUS CAME!! It was the first day of school, and students were supposed to come, but our principal is having them come on Sunday for the first day instead, which is nice. The ride is about an hour and ten minutes. We have to drop off the boys school first, then my school. Then, the bus keeps going to Al Qu'aa and drops off more schools a half hour away. When we arrived at school, we sat around and drank tea for a while. In this society, you know you are welcome when they offer you tea or coffee or a soft drink. So the tea was a good sign. Then we talked for a while. The principal had some questions for us about the model and didn't know how many teachers were coming. She didn't have as much information as a principal in the U.S. would have. Also, we were using the English teacher as a translator because her English is very basic. But she said we are like a family. All of the teachers were very nice and welcoming. I guess last year they had problems with some not being welcoming (not at my school- we are the first teachers out here) so it was a good sign.
We do have to cover our heads in school. We asked what they would like us to do and they said the community would appreciate it. But, we can wear pants with a very long shirt.
I am teaching kindergarten, boys and girls. All other grades are just girls. My co-teacher is very nice and her English is pretty good, too. Yesterday, I got my class list all in Arabic, so we had to sit down together and she read the names in English and I had to write them how I heard them. Later on I got a list of ALL the kindergarteners in English, and had to pick mine out. Arabic names are different than ours because they go something like this- First name (you pick) second name (father's name) third name (grandfather's name) fourth name (don't remember) last name (family name) and sometime it is followed by a tribal name, too. So lots of names that I can hardly say. And the first name is very often the same. I have a few Mohameds and Hamats.
The school is very beautiful. It is huge and the walls are painted with gorgeous murals all over. It is built around an outdoor courtyard for playing, which is covered by a canopy. The classrooms are small, at least mine is, and I have 28 kids right now. I did hear that if it goes over 30, they would open a new section and boy I hope so. The other 2 classes each have 29 in them. I think it will be a good experience. Sunday will be interesting. I think the Arabic teacher will do most of the teaching on Sunday. The parents don't leave is what I hear, and I don't know where everyone is going to stay because there is not room for 28 parents 2 teachers and 28 kids in that classroom. This is only for KG the first week. I can't imagine. The kids don't know which class they are in, and will come to the door and look on the list hanging to find out. The day goes from 7:30 to 11:30 for the kids. I will have training from 12 to 1. But because I am taking the bus, I am staying at school until probably around 3:30 everyday because we have to wait for the High School in Al Qu'aa to get out. When they get out, they will swing by and pick everyone up.
So overall, things are looking good. We are in the hotel with no end in sight, so I just gave up and unpacked everything. I am going to go buy a printer this weekend and hook it up in the hotel. Maybe a laminator, too, because the school doesn't have one. Other than that, I have been enjoying some time by the pool and reading my books... but probably not so much of that after this next week!
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