Once a teacher...

I know you have all been waiting for the news that I hinted about. Well here it is!

I have been interviewing for different teaching positions around the area, but most do not have openings until January (Brazilian school schedule would start a new year then). I was not in a hurry to obtain a job because I want to be able to be there for the boys. I want to be MOM! To go to their parties, attend field trips, take them and pick them up, and just not stress about sub plans and being gone.

Then, this opportunity presented itself.

As I was sitting at the boys' school during Alden's adaptation days (the first day of school to be exact) I was approached by the elementary principal. She said, "I hear you are a teacher. Can you send me your resume?" Sure thing! I did right away. When we arrived at school the next day, she came up to me and said, "Your resume is very impressive and exactly what we are looking for here. Would you be interested in a part-time position?" I informed her that I would be VERY interested.

We met to discuss all the ins and outs and I told her Greg and I needed to visit to make sure this was what we wanted for our family. After discussing and making a list of questions, we decided to accept. Over the past week, I have met with the superintendent, the principal, the HR department, teachers, assistants and the owner of the school.

I will take over the role of the English teacher for 4th grade in the international program. I will be working with a Brazilian teacher and we each have half a day to teach Language Arts (small group, whole group, writing, word study) and Math in our dominant languages. Science and social studies are somewhat shared/combined. This also allows me to work from 7:30-11:30 each day. This works out great as I drop the boys off in the morning and will be able to be there for them in the afternoon, or run errands, etc.

A few years ago, they obtained a new elementary principal who has visions of a school more aligned with the practices of the American schools. They are looking to utilize my knowledge of technology and curriculum to continue to move forward. It is a little overwhelming how excited they are to have me!

Everything sounds so good right! Well here is the kicker...I start Thursday! The teacher hired for this position quit before the year even started. I met her and she just seemed overwhelmed and not ready for a classroom.

Lots of differences in how things are prepped and presented. Teachers have to email the principal anything wanting to be copied with an objective/goal for how it will be used. Each classroom has a bilingual aide. This aide is in charge of putting away supplies, cleaning, organizing, preparing items for the teachers, as well as supporting students in their non-dominant language. Anything that allows the teacher to spend more time planning and teaching. CRAZY! At this school, all aides are future teachers and have qualifications to run reading groups and other small groups! I am also excited to see how all those supplies we purchased are put to use! I look forward to sharing more about the differences and similarities of my experience. Wish me luck!