Newbies

The new recruits have arrived, been apartment hunting, oriented to the school and the city and now we are into PD and prep for the new academic year. International teaching is the only environment in which I have been given so many scheduled work days for PD and classroom preparation. 

The enthusiasm and energy of the new teachers has really helped and the reunion with returning friends has made the start of the year great. It's also really great that this time I'm not trying to workout how to get around, shop, teach MYP rather than NCEA, find friends and work out exactly what we are doing in Suzhou. Sadly there are of course people no longer returning that I had grown to respect and enjoy as friends, so it is a little bittersweet seeing photos removed from the wall and names from doors.

It is also really exciting this year to see all of my colleagues who are embarking on adventures in new countries. Hearing the stories of their first few days. Seeing the pictures of their new homes and new haunts. I am fortunate that life is so exciting and I get to share in the adventures of my friends vicariously. The daily challenges are easier with someone to share the burden and someone who is perpetaully positive (extreme positivity is incredibly annoying, but sometimes to be admired). I'm looking forward to avoiding the newbie "settling in period" emotional curve this year.

I really like the start of the academic year as it is another fresh start like any new year and it gives me a chance to set some goals. This year I'm hoping for a few things:

• Not be as sick as last year (perpetually ill, but no sick days taken)
• Somehow balancing my work - social hours
• Avoiding negative people
• Making the most of the place I live and the people I share it with
• Making a positive difference in some way

Back to making new resources, wall displays, units, lesson plans and striving to be the best educator and team leader I can be.

Fingers crossed for a great school year.