Today was the first day back to school after our summer break. This week the whole staff will be present getting ready for next week, when the students return.
We spent the abbreviated day greeting everyone and catching up with each other. Although there was lots to be done, and lots of decisions that needed to be made, not much happened. This was in large part due to staff and visitors paying their respects to our principal, who lost her Mom a few weeks ago. The decisions that needed to be made needed her approval.
Inshallah.
Everything that needs to happen will happen.
Tomorrow we have a state-wide meeting, so we're all trekking to Abu Dhabi for that.
In contrast, the administrative staff of schools in the US usually begins about four weeks before the kids return and about three weeks before the teaching and support staff.
By far, this has been the most stress-free summer I've had since I've been in education. For once, I wasn't fixated on test scores. Although standardized testing happens here, not nearly as much focus is put on the results. Certainly, not like in the US.
Remarkably, most of my colleagues didn't sleep well last night. There's something about the first day of school that causes excitement and anxiety, for the kids, teachers . . . everyone.
Teaching is one of those rare professions where we get to reboot every September, and to a lesser degree, every January.
Side note -
I purchased something yesterday that needed to be delivered. I asked for same day delivery and it happened, at 11:00 at night! I got the wakeup call at 10:30 asking to confirm my location. I dared not suggest they come at a more convenient time. Heaven knows when that would have been.
Of course, it took a while to get back to sleep.
Surprisingly, and thankfully, I woke up refreshed and ready for the day and the year.
Here's wishing school staffs everywhere a wonderful year.
We spent the abbreviated day greeting everyone and catching up with each other. Although there was lots to be done, and lots of decisions that needed to be made, not much happened. This was in large part due to staff and visitors paying their respects to our principal, who lost her Mom a few weeks ago. The decisions that needed to be made needed her approval.
Inshallah.
Everything that needs to happen will happen.
Tomorrow we have a state-wide meeting, so we're all trekking to Abu Dhabi for that.
In contrast, the administrative staff of schools in the US usually begins about four weeks before the kids return and about three weeks before the teaching and support staff.
By far, this has been the most stress-free summer I've had since I've been in education. For once, I wasn't fixated on test scores. Although standardized testing happens here, not nearly as much focus is put on the results. Certainly, not like in the US.
Remarkably, most of my colleagues didn't sleep well last night. There's something about the first day of school that causes excitement and anxiety, for the kids, teachers . . . everyone.
Teaching is one of those rare professions where we get to reboot every September, and to a lesser degree, every January.
Side note -
I purchased something yesterday that needed to be delivered. I asked for same day delivery and it happened, at 11:00 at night! I got the wakeup call at 10:30 asking to confirm my location. I dared not suggest they come at a more convenient time. Heaven knows when that would have been.
Of course, it took a while to get back to sleep.
Surprisingly, and thankfully, I woke up refreshed and ready for the day and the year.
Here's wishing school staffs everywhere a wonderful year.
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