Two days in...

I have been at Green Bay Primary for two days and I am starting to settle in and become part of the staff. I had a huge accomplishment today- I learned all of my students' names. The names here are a bit different than the names that I am accustomed to so it was a bit of a challenge. I am really starting to enjoy the year 7/8 students in my class, even though working with this age can be a little intimidating. They are young-at-heart students in big bodies and classroom management and consistency are the keys to success when working with them. My focus right now is to build personal relationships with each student so that they can learn to trust in me as a professional and an ally. Because this is a new school year we have to test the students on skills through written tests. Once we have the results then the children will be grouped into specific sections in the academic areas. It will be interesting to see how the three syndicate teachers organize this. I can't wait to start teaching!

One rule that the teachers push is that students MUST wear hats while outside. The sun is so intense and harmful that the school does not want to be held liable for skin cancer, which is why hats are mandatory. I have to start bringing my hat to school and wear it while outside to set an example for my students and, most importantly, I don't want to get skin cancer.

This weekend Bre and I are traveling to Rotorua. Many people from New Zealand have told me that it is one of the places we must see while we are here. We are booked to go whitewater rafting and plan to possibly zorb and luge. I can't wait to tell you about what we do in Rotorua once I return.