I think this is one of those phases in my life during which blogging and writing are especially painful and difficult, so bear with me. I made a committment to this blog and, goshdarnit, I’m gonna keep on trying. I found this article today on Novinite. My first reaction to the title was, “Yeah, no shit.” [...]
Archive for the ‘teaching’ Category
Increase the Incline
Posted in readjustment, teaching on February 25, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Posted in awesomeness, Bulgaria, teaching on December 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Today wasn’t much better as far as minor annoyances go, but I am feeling much more chipper. I finally sewed the hole in my coat, I am working on cleaning my kitchen and doing a bunch of laundry and, thanks to Supermarket Kiss and my zelenchutsi lady, I am going to be eating taco salad [...]
Imagine
Posted in Bulgaria, teaching on December 2, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I feel you, my dear readership, can best understand the limits of my students’ imaginations by watching this short clip from the mid-90s BBC comedy “Father Ted.” I am teaching a bunch of Dougals.
Posted in Bulgaria, teaching, vibes on October 15, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Inspired by an influx of positive posts from my friends, I thought I should write something positive. My 3rd grade SIP class makes me feel like rainbows and sunshine and fluffy clouds. They are pretty much the greatest kids. Conversation I had after a rousing game of pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern: Marina: Next [...]
When your hands are tied.
Posted in Bulgaria, frustration, teaching on October 12, 2009 | 5 Comments »
Sometimes I wonder why I bother to even write about school anymore, since nothing changes. Those of you reading this are either other volunteers who have experienced/are experiencing the same things or you are people from home who have heard me tell a thousand variations on the same theme, that theme being: seriously, what the [...]
Music Class
Posted in Music, teaching on October 9, 2009 | 4 Comments »
So as I mentioned before, I am team-teaching music for 5th-7th grades this year. I think being a middle school general music teacher sucks on any continent. Most textbooks are really lame and music is seen as a blow-off class. Teaching music is strange because, unlike, say, present continuous tense or helping verbs, I actually [...]
Beating a Dead Horse
Posted in Bulgaria, teaching on October 5, 2009 | 7 Comments »
My high school had a code of conduct with clear rules and consequences. Each teacher had a stack of “pink cards” on which were printed the various infractions and the disciplinary actions which accompanied them. Most of the infractions were minor (breaking dress code, chewing gum, being late), resulting in the deduction of anywhere from [...]
I like my sugar with coffee and cream.
Posted in observations, teaching on September 2, 2009 | 3 Comments »
It’s September 2nd, which means day two of official work has already come and gone. Which means basically nothing. I get to sit at school and play solitaire on my computer for hours. Occasionally tutor someone. Avoid teacher drama. The usual. I am heartened by the fact that every day will be the “last” day [...]
