1 Week Down, 34 to Go!

The week ended really nicely. First of all, I only had three classes (though one was a double, so I taught four periods). The first three periods started at the beginning of the day and ran in succession; so I got those over quick. My last class was my "A" class. They are the best. Many of the students are good at math, and THEY TEACH EACH OTHER. The level A class almost considers my involvement an intrusion. Oooooh. I am done teaching by 12:30p!!! And, since school runs Sunday - Thursday, today was like my Friday!!!

Overall, my first week was pretty good. There were some interesting occurrences, but none have a deterring affect. I think I can make it (at least through the first year). 

Thank you all for praying for me.  

Day 4 - Kids Are the Same the World Over

Well, it happened. I knew it would. And, I was having a GREAT day. I only had three periods to teach (one of which was a double period - so it was like having two classes), and the first class did not start until almost noon. And, I had a really good, interactive, hands-on, student-friendly lesson prepared. 

But, it happened. A kid p'd me off! Over the most typical teenage topic of dispute - a cell phone; wait, I'm in the East where they speak British - a mobile. I informed the dean in what I consider a really cool manner. We have these iPads and AppleTVs in each classroom. So, I typed an email in full view of the class (I did not use any student's name). I just stated that a couple students refuse to stop playing with their phones in class, and could he stop by when convenient. Of course, everyone but the culprits witnessed what was going on. The dean (a great guy) was knocking on my door in three minutes!

The dean confiscated the students' phones, and warned them about their behavior (in Arabic - I'll be fluent by the time I get home). Once he left, one kid had a fit. Of course, everything was my fault (this is what I don't like about teenagers). He proceeded to further disrupt the class in that way that kids do when they feel embarrassed - you know they talk loud (thankfully in Arabic so I don't know what he was saying) and make their peers laugh. His behavior (and the other students) did not stop until I started filming them with my iPad, and blasting them on AppleTV. They immediately composed themselves and sat down (I love technology!).  

Because I am too often given to perseveration, I could not stop thinking about the events in the classroom (this happened at the end of my GREAT day). So, I sent the dean a detailed email about the student's behavior. The student apologized. Meaningless. He did not acknowledge the most offensive behavior. Oh well. How refreshingly typical. 

Day 3 - "Yes, I am married."

It may not be classified as sin, but apparently singleness for women is unjustifiable to the Middle Eastern mind. 

I made the great mistake of answering what is generally an innocuous question in the U.S., "Are you married?". In the UAE, this question takes the form of asking if you have a family, which means do you have a husband and children. Upon hearing the "distressing" information that I am unmarried, the gentleman questioning me proceeded to enter into a matchmaking frenzy. (A single woman with a good salary must be in want of a husband.  --nod to Jane Austen)

This did not make me happy. 

The gentleman in question is a colleague. (He really is a very, very nice man, and meant me no ill will.) He stated that I need someone to wake up with and have discussions with. True. Could not argue his point. He asked if I lived in Fujairah, and whether or not I like it (I am not staying here for no man!). He asked how much I paid for rent (this is common fodder for discussion here). When I told him how much, he nearly had a conniption. Apparently, a single woman should live in a single room, and for no more than 5% of her monthly income. Well, the gentleman had to control his sense of incredulity because he had already begun discussing matching me up with a friend or brother or cousin; I'm not sure.

The gentleman gave me his number and directed (not suggested) me to call him after work so that he could discuss the matter further. Did I mention he is a teacher of Arabic, and that he has an extremely limited English vocabulary. He nearly says "Thank you" to any comment or query made to him in the English language, the Queen's or otherwise. Yet, he became amazingly lucid in his matching efforts. I think I was thrown off balance by his clarity. I'm serious. 

The husband he has in mind is 45 (well, that is within my age range). After confirming that the younger age is acceptable, my colleague explained that "my family" is in Jordan. Yes! He already considers me married to the man. 

I want to cry from the supreme annoyance of the situation. This is my fault for caring too much about someone else's feelings. When he asked if an Arabic suitor would be acceptable, of course I said yes. Though, I immediately thought that a Christian would not be acceptable to "my family". However, I felt too awkward to inject that bit of information into our discussion (not because I am in a Muslim country, Christianity generally changes an atmosphere even in the U.S.).

On the upside, there is a man in this world who considers me marriageable. Somehow I knew he would only be found in a land of dark men. 

From now on, I guess I will have to get deep in a weird way. If someone asks if I have a family (i.e. do I have a husband), like the nuns, I will just consider myself married to Jesus.

Lord, have mercy.

Lost in Translation

"Teacha, you nigga?" Why does ugly, and dare I say, evil, translate so well? Three Emirati male students accosted my Zimbabwean British male colleague with this question. He kindly and patiently explained why the students should not use such a word. He explained its ugly connotations in the US and UK.

This same teacher shared with me that he suffered much racist abuse from British children. The British students would point to a tree and ask if he lived there like other monkeys. Or, they would ask him when is he going back to his country. I think he did not want to believe that his new students were giving him the same treatment. Believing that the students were unaware of the negative essence of their words, he provided them with a social lesson. I witnessed the entire affair; the students knew exactly what they were saying.

So, what have we learned so far? "Nigga" and "Mylie Cyrus" can permeate the most opaque cultural boundaries.

My Kind of Town

To introduce myself, I created a PowerPoint presentation of the four seasons in Chicago. I figured the students would get a kick out of seeing a blizzard (they did). They were so funny because, of course, as desert children, they want to experience snow. I tried to play Frank Sinatra's "My Kind of Town" as a background ("Teacha, good music."). In an effort to explain that some American cities have their own "anthems", I asked the students if they knew Alicia Keys and/or Jay-Z (he's going to be in concert in Abu Dhabi, November, 2013).  I was trying to connect "My Kind of Town" with Jay-Z's "New York". No connection. They did not know Alicia and only very slightly knew Jay-Z.

So, I asked if they were familiar with American popular music ("o course Teacha" - I figured). Then, one misguided, but beautiful and intelligent young man beamingly expressed his adoration for Mylie Cyrus!!! He went as far back as her Hannah Montana days. I could not hide my incredulity. (Emiratis will someday regret allowing the westerners in.)

You know who the students proudly proclaimed next, right?

Day 1

Wooh!  I survived it. First day of school - it was naturally very busy and slightly chaotic. Lots of ogling from the students - all boys. I expected it - they're not used to my kind around these parts. There is a morning assembly every day. The students line up, about five boys deep and face the teachers. They sing the UAE National Anthem. Very seriously, but without much enthusiasm - typical of teenagers. This is followed by announcements - all in Arabic. Many of the faculty and staff can speak Arabic. The rest of us just smile and clap where appropriate. 

STS-Boys School, Fujairah - My New School

The school campus is a contradiction. It is in a desert, but green plants and trees abound. The area is vast and open inviting you to come outside, but the heat beats you back in doors to the sanctuary of air conditioned rooms. There is a great sense of camaraderie among the international staff. They are from Uganda, Cameroon, India, Philippines, Jordan, Zimbabwe, the UK, and the US. All but two teachers are men. The two women (myself included) are American, and are of African descent. 

Similar location shot as the one above. This one includes a portion of the administrative building. The campus has about eight buildings, including a brand new canteen. The campus houses two schools; one is vocationally focused (STS), and the other prepares students for college. However, like in Chicago, the administration has decided that all students should be prepared for college should they choose it. Therefore, STS students are now subject to the International Cambridge curriculum. There is also a major (and most importantly, financially supported) push for increased technology use in the classroom, with a drive toward a paperless classroom.

This is the school building in which I work. My classes meet on the first floor in the four rooms on the left. I teach 11th grade maths (we say "maths" because of the British influence here). The Teacher's Room is on the second floor on the left. My desk is just to the right of the entrance to the Teacher's Room. 

Cool panoramic shot from the entrance to my desk.

The Teachers' Room houses 10 teachers - nine men and me. All of us are expats; I am the only American (in the office; there is another African-American female teacher). The gentlemen are very nice and generous (one has offered to match me with a husband - seriously - he already put a call in). They always offer coffee, tea, figs or whatever they may be enjoying themselves. They are also ready and willing with assistance and advice.

A close up shot of my desk. My lunch pack just behind the keyboard. I bought it at Costco. The "ice" pack is great; it works all day long. I bring my lunch to work everyday - yeah. See the banana; I am trying to increase my portion of healthy items. My trusty timer is behind the mouse. Both the students and I rely on it to let us know how close we are to freedom. The iPad is provided by the district. They want a paperless classroom (not happening). I am doing my part though. I have to say I am incredibly grateful for the technology training. I love using Apple TV in the classroom!