Anyways here’s a wrap-up of September so far (up until the 26th at least)
· September 1st- First Day of Work for teachers at the school. I made Banana Bread.
o Was informed by my counterpart the night before that I should show up the following week and we weren’t really going to start until the 7th.
o So, instead I ate all the banana bread myself, studied Bulgarian like crazy, watched movies, and explored more of Svishtov for another week…while it seemed like every other education volunteer started work….interesting. Well you can’t argue with another week of summer.
· September 5th-MY NEPHEW RHYS WAS BORN!!!!!
o He is beautiful and named after me (we share middle names-Culver…which can only mean he is named after me.)
o Born 5/9/2010. 7:26am (5:26pm in Bulgaria)
· September 7th-ACTUAL First Day of Work for the teachers. I made chocolate chip cookies.
o I introduced myself to the staff, which I had prepared for but then the Director of the school introduced me prior to my introduction and stole all of my carefully planned lines, so ended up saying only my name again, where I was from and hello.
o Met all the other teachers, who are all very nice and wonderful, showed them pictures of my Nephew, Rhys. (which by the way I may have said on many occasions “This is my monument, Rhys” instead of “This is my nephew, Rhys.”—the words for “monument” (паметник) and “nephew” (племеник) are really close)
· September 7-14—Work. Work. Work. (before the kids started)
o I really didn’t work that much. They wouldn’t let me.
o Found out I have 3 separate English teachers I’m working with (That’s why my range of classes is large)
o I did however, find out my classes, and here they are:
§ 1st Grade-2 classes 1X week
§ 3rd Grade-2 Classes 2X week
§ 6th Grade-2 Classes 2X week
§ 7th Grade-2 Classes 2X week
§ 12th Grade (actually still don’t know this real schedule)
§ Teacher’s Class-( I don’t know when this will be either)
§ Culture Club-Let’s plan and celebrate both Bulgarian and American Holidays!
· September 15-FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!
o This was absolutely wonderful! Celebration followed by entering the school, quick distribution of papers and the day was over by 11am.
o Huge Celebration! All parents and families showed up and all the students assembled by class outside the school. Everyone dressed in their best (really I went out the night before and bought a new dress for the occasion-plus I wore heals and extra make-up. Seriously.)
o There were dances by our school’s (and internationally acclaimed) dance group, another less impressive but more modern dance group, speeches by the director, the mayor’s office, the municipality, me (yeah-I gave a speech. It went well, but it also meant that I was onstage the whole time and therefore felt really awkward taking pictures…so I didn’t get many), and even a speech from a first-graders Mom, and two first graders (one of which had attended my summer camp thing and was overjoyed to walk onstage and say hi to me). The first graders’ speeches were probably the best. They were adorable.
o My Favorite Part (besides the 1st graders’ speeches) was the blessing by the local Orthodox Priest. First, it was great that it was allowed and also, it was really wonderful to get to be a part of lighting candles for some students who died some years ago when their school bus ran off a bridge. On a lighter note, it was also great when the priest went out and blessed everyone by spraying water on them (and being onstage-I got fully blasted) and all the kids squealed and thought it was hilarious.
o Teacher’s Lunch/Party-We went to this beautiful restaurant that had a great view and celebrated the beginning of the year by having a lunch together (which lasted about 5 hours). We drank Rakia, gave toasts, ate some lunch, danced some hora, did some Greek dances, cried altogether (one of the other teacher’s wives just had a baby and everyone was overjoyed for him-it was precious), drank champagne, sang, danced more, drank more, and had a great time! Plus, I was told I was a good dancer!! HA! To all of you who think that my lack of rhythm deeply impairs my ability to dance-you are mistaken! HA!
This is like the one picture I took.
· September 16-24 SCHOOL. CLASSES. AND SUCH
o Classes are fun. I’m not sure where I fit in quite yet but I’m slowly working my way in. For the teacher’s I’m working with, they have also never worked with another teacher in their lessons and I think it will take awhile, which is fine.
o I love the students and feel like a celebrity now both in and out of school. The kids are all very excited about me and I have met a lot of mothers now.
o The school system is very different and the kids are not used to working in groups or pairs, or doing anything but silently writing notes in the notebooks. I’m glad I get to change things up and show them different and effective ways of learning.Here is a link that explains more about the schools in Bulgaria right now. http://www.forexyard.com/en/news/ANALYSIS-Poor-education-undermines-Bulgaria-prospects-2010-09-20T120614Z
· September 24-26 Svishtov Town Celebration!
o This was great! Think street vendors, good food, BBQ, tons of sweets, concerts, exhibits, bounce houses, and carnival rides. It was sweet. Here are some pictures:
WOW! That looks like my kind of carnival! Glad things are going so well and you're finding your place in the school. I was imagining they'd throw you to the wolves on day one and you'd be there on your own with the students. Sounds like a much more reasonable set up.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being an Aunt again! That's so fun. I expect I'll be an Uncle for #3 within a year or so.... ;-)
Let me know what kinds of supplies/resources the school could use or if there's any way I could rally the States for the cause!
Sounds like you're having an amazing time! Can't wait to see you this weekend and here more about/celebrate your b-day!!!
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