One of the most valuable resources in my quest for a job was a website called International School Review. It costs $30 a year but the information on there was/is very helpful. With the help of ISR I was able to narrow down some of my options after interviews when the job offers came in.
I was given the chance to talk with one of the founders of the website in person over coffee. The person's stories and experiences were memorable. The advice I was given was fantastic. Some of it as basic as "Buy good quality 100% cotton clothing for the hot and humid climate or you'll regret it. Make sure it's good quality so if it is handled by roughly by someone washing your clothes it won't end up in shreds after being worn 3x" and "Pack picture books. Regardless what the language capabilities are of your students everyone will be able to understand with the pictures" or "Does the school have an evacuation policy in place? Make sure you ask before you go." The person also looked over the sample contract the school sent me. With their help additions that may need to be added to the contract and what questions I may want to ask the director before I accepted the job.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Another Ending
Today was my last day of teaching violin here in Canada after 10 years. It was a day of mixed emotions that stirred many meories from two years ago.
Two years ago I was twirling around on a swing in a park after year end violin recital picnic with my violin students and their families. Everyone had left so I was all alone with my thoughts. I remember feeling deep sadness. I loved teaching violin. All the families I taught were fantastic but it was time to move into the next part of life-finishing my teaching degree. Even though I was excited to go back to school I questioned if this was the right decision. Music was my life. I had been teaching some of these violin students since they were little ones and now they were entering their teen years. I had poured my heart and soul into these students and now it was time to let go of many of them. While sitting on that swing I learned that letting go can be really really hard.
During my teaching practicums I was positive that it wouldn't be hard at all to leave and let go. I told myself that it would get easier every time but at the end of the practicum I would realize it's still not getting any easier. I still feel sad. Sometimes I am envious of people who are able to separate themselves and not get attached to their students but in other ways I know that I won't be like that no matter how hard I try. That's why today is hard for me.
I am so glad I get to live out my dream and teach. My job is the best in the world as I have the privilege of watching little people grow and learn. But they are not the only ones learning. Even though I am the one teaching I still learn from every one of my students. I have learned so much from every single one of them.
And for that I must say 'Thank you'. Thank you to all my violin students. You are all amazing and you have helped me become a better teacher. And it must be said as well thank you parents. Without you none of this would be possible. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...
Two years ago I was twirling around on a swing in a park after year end violin recital picnic with my violin students and their families. Everyone had left so I was all alone with my thoughts. I remember feeling deep sadness. I loved teaching violin. All the families I taught were fantastic but it was time to move into the next part of life-finishing my teaching degree. Even though I was excited to go back to school I questioned if this was the right decision. Music was my life. I had been teaching some of these violin students since they were little ones and now they were entering their teen years. I had poured my heart and soul into these students and now it was time to let go of many of them. While sitting on that swing I learned that letting go can be really really hard.
During my teaching practicums I was positive that it wouldn't be hard at all to leave and let go. I told myself that it would get easier every time but at the end of the practicum I would realize it's still not getting any easier. I still feel sad. Sometimes I am envious of people who are able to separate themselves and not get attached to their students but in other ways I know that I won't be like that no matter how hard I try. That's why today is hard for me.
I am so glad I get to live out my dream and teach. My job is the best in the world as I have the privilege of watching little people grow and learn. But they are not the only ones learning. Even though I am the one teaching I still learn from every one of my students. I have learned so much from every single one of them.
And for that I must say 'Thank you'. Thank you to all my violin students. You are all amazing and you have helped me become a better teacher. And it must be said as well thank you parents. Without you none of this would be possible. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Grad & Goals
In my grade 7 Grad writeup I penned one Future Goal: to graduate from university. I decided that I would be a teacher when I was 10 and had already looked into what I would have to do to become one, so this is where this goal was born.
Seven years after starting into the post-secondary world it is finished! I graduated with my B.Ed in hand today at 3:00. While walking into the gym where they have the ceremony I felt a tear trickle from the corner of eye because I had finally made it. I could have finished my degree sooner but I took a year off after high school to be sure of what I wanted to do. Then once I entered university I decided to only take 4 classes instead of the normal 5 per semester so I could continue to teach violin on the side while going to school. It was a good choice for me that led to me taking a year off in between my arts courses and the education program. This is why 7 years later I am finally finished.
I have learned much both in school and out but am looking forward to the next chapter in life where I get to teach in my own classroom...
Here are a few things I have learned from university
-All-nighters are not fun especially when spent on English papers due at 8:30 the next morning
-Profs can make or break an interest in a certain subject
-Taking a three hour class in the evening after a full day of classes from someone who is extremely monotone should be considered a form of torture
-When taking classes that are exceptionally boring remember to file the experience away in the how not to teach category in my brain
-Having an excellent proof reader is a HUGE asset during essay season (Thank you Daniel, Dad and Lenna)
-Waiting to do projects or papers until the last minute stresses out me AND the proofreader
-The library has DVD's you can rent when your brain feels to overwhelmed to study
-It is not wise to rent more than 5 DVD's a day before a final exam worth more than 60% of your mark
-Park at the mall and take the bus to school. You will save tons on parking!
-When riding the bus to school read your text book right before class. It will help you during class discussions and make you sound really knowledgeable
-Popcorn can make for a great dinner if projects are due at midnight
-The best way to learn a language is through immersion
-Too much stress will cause you to get sick more often
-I won't get sick during school usually but almost always get sick during holiday time or long weekends :P
-A strong support group makes all the difference!
Seven years after starting into the post-secondary world it is finished! I graduated with my B.Ed in hand today at 3:00. While walking into the gym where they have the ceremony I felt a tear trickle from the corner of eye because I had finally made it. I could have finished my degree sooner but I took a year off after high school to be sure of what I wanted to do. Then once I entered university I decided to only take 4 classes instead of the normal 5 per semester so I could continue to teach violin on the side while going to school. It was a good choice for me that led to me taking a year off in between my arts courses and the education program. This is why 7 years later I am finally finished.
I have learned much both in school and out but am looking forward to the next chapter in life where I get to teach in my own classroom...
Here are a few things I have learned from university
-All-nighters are not fun especially when spent on English papers due at 8:30 the next morning
-Profs can make or break an interest in a certain subject
-Taking a three hour class in the evening after a full day of classes from someone who is extremely monotone should be considered a form of torture
-When taking classes that are exceptionally boring remember to file the experience away in the how not to teach category in my brain
-Having an excellent proof reader is a HUGE asset during essay season (Thank you Daniel, Dad and Lenna)
-Waiting to do projects or papers until the last minute stresses out me AND the proofreader
-The library has DVD's you can rent when your brain feels to overwhelmed to study
-It is not wise to rent more than 5 DVD's a day before a final exam worth more than 60% of your mark
-Park at the mall and take the bus to school. You will save tons on parking!
-When riding the bus to school read your text book right before class. It will help you during class discussions and make you sound really knowledgeable
-Popcorn can make for a great dinner if projects are due at midnight
-The best way to learn a language is through immersion
-Too much stress will cause you to get sick more often
-I won't get sick during school usually but almost always get sick during holiday time or long weekends :P
-A strong support group makes all the difference!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Things that I am looking Forward too
So with the last post ending on a bit of sad note I am going to pick things up by talking about things I am looking forward too when arriving in Africa.
-The excitement that comes with bartering
-Conversing in French (meaning my speaking skills would have to improve)
-Learning how to drive a Moto
-Finding postcards to send home to family and friends
-The warm weather (average 32 degress Celsius)
-Living near the ocean
-Eating lobster and crab on a regular basis
-Getting to teach in a classroom
-Eating ripened papayas right off the tree
-Getting to teach music
-Exploring a different place every few weekends or during the holidays
-Meeting new people & making new friends
-The long growing season which will enable us to get into gardening
-The slower pace of life
-Getting to go to a village (or 10) again
-Kids being everywhere
-Spending time with D (here because of work it seems we have very different schedules quite often)
-The smell (some people can't stand it but there is something familiar about it)
-Learning how to play the drums better
-Getting to wear bright coloured clothing all the time (I know I could do that here but its not quite the same)
-The potential for traveling
-Having a 3 bedroom villa to call home
-Getting care packages in the mail :)
-Seeing all the amazing projects D will get to be a part of
-Wearing my new clothes that have been packed away in my suitcase until I get to Togo
Those are just a few I can think of right now. I will add more as time goes on.
-The excitement that comes with bartering
-Conversing in French (meaning my speaking skills would have to improve)
-Learning how to drive a Moto
-Finding postcards to send home to family and friends
-The warm weather (average 32 degress Celsius)
-Living near the ocean
-Eating lobster and crab on a regular basis
-Getting to teach in a classroom
-Eating ripened papayas right off the tree
-Getting to teach music
-Exploring a different place every few weekends or during the holidays
-Meeting new people & making new friends
-The long growing season which will enable us to get into gardening
-The slower pace of life
-Getting to go to a village (or 10) again
-Kids being everywhere
-Spending time with D (here because of work it seems we have very different schedules quite often)
-The smell (some people can't stand it but there is something familiar about it)
-Learning how to play the drums better
-Getting to wear bright coloured clothing all the time (I know I could do that here but its not quite the same)
-The potential for traveling
-Having a 3 bedroom villa to call home
-Getting care packages in the mail :)
-Seeing all the amazing projects D will get to be a part of
-Wearing my new clothes that have been packed away in my suitcase until I get to Togo
Those are just a few I can think of right now. I will add more as time goes on.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Things that will be Missed
D started making a photo album on facebook called 'Reminders.' The album is full of a series of pictures that remind us of what we are going to miss from here in Canada. I won't attach the pictures here but will just list off a few of the big ones:
-Meeting up with friends
-Long chat with Opa
-Visiting various coffee shops the small town ones and the bigger names too
-Certain fruit/veggies- cherries, plums, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, nectarines, peaches, apricots, apples, asparagus
-Being a pretty close drive away from family
-Cheeseburgers
-Small group meetings on Thursday
-Sub sandwiches
-German Potlucks at church
-Symphony concerts
-Libraries full of English books
-Tea with the omas
-Family birthday parties
-Teacher resource stores or the 50% off Scholastic days
-The beautiful beaches with water that is swim-able
-Red licorice
-Tobey the dog
-Tommy the cat
-The little black Honda
-My Chevy cavalier
-Purdy's cream eggs (only available during Easter)
-Ice cream sundaes from DQ
-Fast & steady internet connections
-The times spent at the cabin on the lake
-2nd hand stores
-Weekend getaways with the brothers and sisters
-Snowshoeing
-Drinking water straight from a tap or water fountain
-Garage sales
-Birthday dinners at Kelly O's
-Meeting up with friends
-Long chat with Opa
-Visiting various coffee shops the small town ones and the bigger names too
-Certain fruit/veggies- cherries, plums, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, nectarines, peaches, apricots, apples, asparagus
-Being a pretty close drive away from family
-Cheeseburgers
-Small group meetings on Thursday
-Sub sandwiches
-German Potlucks at church
-Symphony concerts
-Libraries full of English books
-Tea with the omas
-Family birthday parties
-Teacher resource stores or the 50% off Scholastic days
-The beautiful beaches with water that is swim-able
-Red licorice
-Tobey the dog
-Tommy the cat
-The little black Honda
-My Chevy cavalier
-Purdy's cream eggs (only available during Easter)
-Ice cream sundaes from DQ
-Fast & steady internet connections
-The times spent at the cabin on the lake
-2nd hand stores
-Weekend getaways with the brothers and sisters
-Snowshoeing
-Drinking water straight from a tap or water fountain
-Garage sales
-Birthday dinners at Kelly O's
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