Scenes from my school

Here are pictures from my school. The three women in the top row are two student teachers and my lead teacher, Juliet. Juliet is the one who has been writing me all summer, found my housing and has been so valuable in helping me get settled. The student teachers took me shopping, out for dinner, and are holding up the article from the newspaper (http://www.tncg.gov.tw/18a.asp?ID=950828027). Shengli Elementary school is huge (2,300+ students). They have a track on the interior of the school and lots of trees. It is quite beautiful. I have put up a bulletin board in the back of my classroom with an Indiana map, an Indiana Hoosiers t-shirt (Keith--I picked an IU shirt because of the Indiana Hoosier written on the front), a picture of my family, a Franklin College pennant, and calendar pictures of Indianapolis. The principal really liked it and wants me to to an "Indiana Day" for the school. My first big challenge.

The classroom is not air conditioned but thankfully there are lots of ceiling fans and because we are on the second floor we get a great cross breeze. Let's hope the air continues to blow because it is really hot if not. The sun does not hit my room until late in the afternoon. My day runs from 7:45-4:00. That includes a 1/2 hour lunch, 1/2 hour recess and 1/2 hour nap--yes, even the 6th graders and teachers are to take a nap.

I will be teaching 12 classes of 6th grade English language, but the principal has asked Ariel (pictured beside the bulletin board--she is by teaming teacher) to split the class into to two parts and I am to do special projects with the 6th graders. I am also to do workshops for teachers. This is going to be fun!!