The first day of school!!

Well the first official day of school, with children, has finished. It is now five o’clock and I feel like I can relax. I have made the list of things to do tonight and have organized the class sufficiently enough for my peace of mind. Now I think I will go home as soon as I finish my blog entry. Overall, as a cooperating teacher once told me, if they are all still alive then everything is okay. Everything is okay!

Actually, this day has been great! It was really fun to finally have my own class and to be able to do things the way I want to do them. However, because I have never really done this before, I am still designing systems. I am working out how many baskets I need, etc. They all have exercise books for each subject that I keep here and need their own baskets. Then there is a place to put homework, work to turn in, etc. It will simply take time to create these systems. There also have to be behavior systems that are designed around this schools system and that will take some adjustment. But now everyone has two cubbies, and there are enough exercise books for all the students. In time though all the other things will be fine.

As far as my class is concerned, they are wonderful! I only had 19 students today because the rest are still coming back on holiday, but they are all terrific. I had two new students, both of whom are ELL learners with first language French. I have never been so glad that I took French instead of Spanish in high school. One of the students spoke some English, but the other used 0 English. It was kind of fun to use my ESOL endorsement in my teaching. I really needed it today!! Overall though, I think they will do fine. I also have a couple of students with IEPs who were also wonderful. I really enjoyed differentiating for them impromptu. Their schedule is not really set, and my lessons are not really grounded this week so I had not planned ahead for them. I did however, differentiate enough for them to participate in everything. I think it was successful.

I hesitate though to say that all went well because there is always, always room for my own improvement. However, overall, I think the students had a good day, and I did as well. I also think that with the first day of school jitters out, as well as a few seating changes, tomorrow will go well. I now have my first day of school nervousness out, and am ready for tomorrow. It know it is going to be a good school year!! Yay for this job!

Adjusting to the first year teaching in Uganda, does not seem like it will be any different from adjusting to teaching in any other school. Of course, most of this is due to the fact that I am teaching in an International school, but otherwise everything in my training is proving exceptionally useful in the classroom. I have used my SPED minor and my ESOL endorsement today, as well as sooooo many other things. I have to adjust to a new school, a new handwriting style (which was the most difficult part of the day-writing everything in legible cursive), and a new curriculum. But, it is absolutely a lifesaver to have two other teachers who know what they are doing, as well as two exceptionally helpful TA’s to assist me.

Overall, it has been a good day! Other than that, I think I forgot to mention in the lack of blog that I have been settled into a new flat in Kampala. We are upstairs which means our balcony views the valley below and at night we have a good view of the city lights. It is quite nice, and I do not spend enough time out there! The rest of the flat is quite comfortable. I have a stove with an oven!!!! This is my favorite part, as well as the hot water heater for warm showers to wake me up in the morning before school. There is also an extra bedroom for visitors!!!! Hint, hint. J It is also very close to the school so I can walk when I feel like I need more exercise or I need to get some extra energy out. God truly blessed us with this flat. I think it is a very good fit for us, especially compared with the other teacher’s houses, (which are wonderful but just different).

I could probably go on and on about things, especially how God is truly good, and is watching out for my new family, job, and life. However, I should probably leave school before six so I need to stop now!