First official day...

I know it's been a while since I last wrote, but I figured I'd update you all on what's going on, specifically the fact that today was my first FULL day of teaching.Good news! I'm not running for the hills, tearing my hair out, hailing a cab back to the States. I had an interesting day, filled with both good and bad encounters. I had, what I will now (and forever) refer to as, my "crazy eights" class. A class filled with low achieving, chatty, misbehaving students, who left me with a migrane come 12:10. Regardless of this, I said something to a few of the teachers/heads of houses, and by 3:30 this afternoon I had one verbal apology from one of the "instigaters" in that class, two teachers (one being one of the Vice Principals) coming in tomorrow during my lesson, and three other teachers willing and ready to help whenever I needed it--to be frank, this school is simply incredible and supportive. Needless to say, my crazy eights will be met with a seating chart (my other students were perfectly capable of handling the idea of sitting where they wanted), two guests and class work (as opposed to the 'fun work' my other students will be completing) tomorrow when they arrive.

Aside from that, I had a few wonderful experiences. First, my "mentor" teacher, whom is also one of the four VPs here at the school, is helping me with my Year 11s and 13s. She asked if I could handle Year 11 (I was, and still am, a bit nervous about her being in the room with me at all times simply because I know I'll be observed at all times and that is a bit unnerving) on my own, and I assured her I would be fine. Apparently she liked what she saw because she interrupted the head of the English department's (also my boss) class to tell her how well I had done (I found this out from my boss later on). Finally, during our house meetings they read three essays written by three different Year 7s regarding their first day at Walton High. Somehow my name made it into all three essays (I must have won them over with my chocolate activity--note to self, feed students).

This past weekend we all piled up to Manchester to visit Sinead for her 21st birthday bash--what a time it was as well! For those of you who haven't already, view my facebook profile, you'll see the shenanigans that actually went on through the various pictures ;) Needless to say, it was QUITE the weekend :)

It's now 930pm here and I'm completely exhausted. My friend Dave from Oxford is coming to visit this weekend, which will be nice. I have a lot of things coming up to look forward to, aside from getting into the swing of things at Walton High. I miss everyone heaps, but after today, I know that I've chosen the right path for myself.

More later!