I was in the Fairmont from the time I arrived until a week ago. My time there had to unfortunately come to an end. The hospitality I have received since arriving in the UAE has been remarkable. My days in the Fairmont usually followed the same luxurious schedule. I would wake up go to the breakfast buffet, shop a little for my new apartment, come back to a clean room, take an afternoon nap, go to the pool for drinks and lunch and socialize in the evenings. I did do a few days of training mixed in there.
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| I will miss the Fairmont |
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), a sector of the Abu Dhabi government, has provided us with exceptional accommodations and respect. It was made apparent to be how much they treasure education and their teachers. Since arrive I have felt as though my career as a teacher matters and my role here is extremely important. It makes me feel great to be appreciated and respected as a teacher in the UAE.
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| My New Home! |
I had to move out of the Fairmont because my apartment was ready and I had purchased the majority of the furniture I needed to survive. I moved into my apartment and have been trying to settle in. Starting from scratch in a brand new home is pretty hard but the place is coming together. I have been able to purchase nice pieces of furniture, appliances and electronics for my apartment due to the generosity of my employer. It was enjoyable to be able to purchase a decent couch, TV and mattress and not have to worry about how I am going to pay for them or if I should charge them to my credit card. I even had enough money left over to buy more things! I am extremely fortunate to be able to take part in this experience and to be fully aware of the experience. The apartment I live in is exceptional and something I could NEVER afford on my own back home. I am very lucky to be able to have an exquisite apartment to make my home here. My sister, niece, nephew and brother in law came in town for a week to visit and help me get moved in. It was a much needed visit for both of us and I am so glad I got to see them. It is reassuring to know that they are a car ride away from me here.
I started back to work last week but will not have students until this Sunday. My work week is Sunday thru Thursday here. I will be teaching KG1 (PreK) which should be interesting. I am excited for the challenge. My school is brand new with a smart board, document camera, projector, computer, slate and response clickers in every classroom. I am lucky to be at a school with all of these resources. All of the schools in Abu Dhabi will eventually become state of the art schools but it is a process. All of the resources I need will be provided and the school is beautiful. I have a principal who is from Georgia and is very passionate about her job. My Arabic co-teacher is exceptional and speaks perfect English. I am excited to work with her and learning to let go of all the control of a classroom and share my classroom with another teacher. I am somewhat controlling so this is a much needed experience for me. It is very beneficial for me to have to rely on someone else to help me communicate with my students. I am learning how to be less independent here and allowing myself to rely on others for more things in my life. The school has a nursery for teachers who have children under three years old to stay during the day. What a concept! Not punishing a teacher for having children! J My classroom will have no more than 20 students in it. My day starts at 7:50am and ends at 2:00pm. I am given an hour and a half to plan. I will not have to bring the majority of my work home with me because I am provided ample time to get most of it done at work!
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| Classroom |
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| One of the three pod areas |
The value that Abu Dhabi has placed on education and their teachers is admirable. I am part of developing and opening a brand new school which is exciting in its self. I am able to be a part of developing the procedures, mission statement, the vision, values, school colors, etc. My opinions are taken into account and are valued. I admire the determination Abu Dhabi has in inventing in their education system and the understanding they have that education should be the foundation of a country. During an assembly we had I was listening to the head of the council speak and he discussed a study that looked at teachers feeling appreciated. The study stated that when teachers feel appreciated they perform at a higher level as opposed to being unappreciated and not performing at their potential. ADEC has made it a priority to make sure the teachers they hire feel appreciated. My attitude towards beginning this school year is extremely positive. I want to go to work and do my best because of the hospitality and gratitude the education council has shown towards me. I am determined to make a difference here.
I am looking forward to working in a multilingual school with many different cultures being represented. I am ecstatic about working in a school where my ideas are important and are encouraged. Back home I was always trying to do something else and be something else with regards to my career and I never understood why I wasn’t content where I was. After being here, I have realized that I need to be in a career or a place where my career is respected and treasured. I need some validation from others; not a lot. I am an intrinsically motivated person but it is nice to feel appreciated every once and awhile. Occasionally, you want people to validate your competency and the prestige of your career. I have told myself that when I move back to the states I will not be able to teach in the public school system. Teachers work too hard, put too much emotion into their jobs to not be appreciated at a higher level. Teachers should feel as though their career path is a prestigious career and one that is respected by the rest of a society. I want to love my job and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will love my job here. I think I am off to a good start but I haven’t had any children in my room so we will see how I feel in a week.
Not all my days are amazing there are bad days where I question my decision but there are more days where I am confident in my decision. I am proud of myself for having enough courage to take on an opportunity like this. I do miss my friends and family a lot! I am building a support system here and am thankful to have met some beautiful people here. I am excited to discover more about who I am and my potential as an educator. I have learnt my lesson and will not wait so long to blog next time because this one took way too long! I am growing already!
