My First Week Teaching

Finally, it’s time for my first week reflections! Like all CIEE auxiliares, I began teaching at my school on the 1st of October. My mornings this week began at 7am, giving me just enough time to shovel yogurt into my mouth while standing at the kitchen sink, dress, brush my teeth, and leave the house by 7:30am. The first day (due to stress), I left a few minutes early and got to the school half an hour before I needed to be there. The principal, Felipe, introduced me to most of the staff over coffee and cookies. I was touched by the kindness and genuine interest they showed in me, and Felipe said something to the effect of, “It’s a small town and a small school, so we're like family!” I could tell that this was true. 

The next day, I left home a little later, not realizing that the bus I had to catch left at 25 minute intervals. I had to wait for over 20 minutes for the next bus, and killed time watching an elderly man stomp a stale baguette into crumbs for the pigeons while I quietly fumed.

The most memorable moments at school thus far were being bombarded by a bunch of four year olds trying to hug me after I finished reading them a book, and fielding question after question from sixth graders. (What football team do I support? Who is my favorite Real Madrid player? Do I think Vini will win the Ballon d’Or this year? Do I listen to Anuel?) I know it’s just the first week, but I feel lucky to be at a school where the staff and students are genuinely happy to have me there. 

I’m ending the week feeling immense gratitude and excitement to prepare activities for my classes. I’m relieved to have a schedule again, even if that means leaving the house at 7:15am in order to catch my bus on time. In the meantime I’ll be busy learning names, memorizing which kiddos have food allergies, and who is shy and may need more encouragement to speak. I welcome any suggestions of what I should do on my commute, since it takes up two hours of my day. Unfortunately, I can’t read, write, or be on my phone for too long without feeling a bit nauseous, so that rules out a lot of activities. Let me know!!

Anna