More at school

So things are actually looking up at the kindergarten school! It is not anywhere near what I'd like it to be, but I’ve been trying so hard with the kids and they are starting to calm down and actually participate in the activities I have for them. I have given up that they will ever give me another teacher and so I’ve been trying to rise up to the occasion. After school yesterday, Ms. Nabila came up to me and asked me directly if I was going to quit. I told her I had been seriously considering it, but I was willing to try if they would try with me.

When I was teaching today, she stopped by my class a few times and told me how much better I was doing. She said “See, I told you it would get better!” I realized that from the beginning they never planned on giving me another teacher. But I feel so satisfied with my progress with the kids and I really want to be successful at this, so I think it will work out. Today, I got almost all of the names of my two classes memorized, which is a huge feat, since they all have names that I have never heard of before and most of them I couldn’t say correctly at first.

The funniest moment of all was when one of the Arabic teachers, Ruba, stopped by my class for a moment. Her son, Own, is a student in the class and she wanted to get a picture. She pulled out her phone, said “Smile!” and there was instant silence in the classroom as every child dropped their books and pencils, turned to her and grinned. These five year olds are well trained with cameras, if nothing else. Maybe I can use that the next time they get too rowdy.

On the drive home today, I was thinking about more things I can do to motivate the kids and help them learn. Both boys and girls like stickers at that age, right? I’m actually starting to get excited about the things I can do with them. Along with learning their names, I’m starting to really like them and enjoy them. They are so beautiful. The other teachers keep telling me I need to be more harsh and demanding with them. I don’t think I’ll try that, I just want us all to enjoy each other.

So I was feeling much better about everything today, but as I was telling the other teachers about my progress, Denise and Penelope (the girls that also teach at the kindergarten school) actually got a little upset with me. They told me that it was good that I was adjusting, but since I was succumbing to the unrealistic demands of Ms. Nabila, I was going to make things harder for them and for any teachers that came in the future. I don’t know why Denise was upset since she told our boss, Makis, that she refused to go back there and has been staying home the last few days. And Penelope has another Arabic teacher with her the entire day, so she hasn’t had to deal with quite the same issues.

I have had more practice these last few days at arguing and standing up for myself than ever before in my life. And I am actually doing it! I told them that I could sort of see their side of the situation, but also that I thought they were wrong since neither of them was currently teaching by themselves. I told them to stop being angry at me and that I didn’t like them blaming me for anything, when they have the freedom to do whatever they want in the situation, same as me.

I just can’t win! The crazy part is that all this arguing is actually kind of liberating, rather than awful, as arguing usually is for me. I don’t think I could ever be an abrasive person, but this has definitely been some good practice of saying what I think, even when I know the other person will disagree. It can be satisfying. And somehow, I think we will all still be friends and get along. At least, I hope so.

In short, I am still alive! And I’ll be around here for a little longer! I can’t believe it’s only been about a week! Here are a few more pictures, I’m ready to go out and see more cool things. Hopefully soon.

This was lunch today. Some eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes and onions in a sauce with rice. I've had rice a lot since being here. Some of the food is quite spicy, I like it. I need to try some more desserts.

A view from the car on the way to the school. It's a desert, but really hilly. And there are surprisingly tons of cars. This road doesn't have lines on it, even though it is like a highway. The cars drive wherever they want to on the street and are constantly weaving around. Even when there are lines on the road, they don't mean a thing. It's kind of exciting :)

Even though my experience teaching here has been pretty rocky, I'm so glad I came. It really is an adventure, and I've had so much fun meeting new people and seeing new places. !هذا هو رائع