Sorry to anyone who happens to have wondered if i have dropped off the face of the earth. I am still here. The thing is finding time, energy and a space where the power doesnt cut out on you in Bangladesh is hard. Special appologies to Andy N who wrote me a wonderful email which i keep meaning to reply to and Matt C who i keep forgetting to speak to on skype. please do try to email me and skype me and write on my wall on facebook it means alot. Please dont get offended if i dont reply instantly (or ever) if your feeling rich you can even try phoning me on my Bangladeshi phone (message me or email me if you want the number)
The hardest thing i have found in attempting to blog is knowing where to start with this hugely strange and completely insane country so i thought i would give you an insight into what the school i am working in is like. And another power cut......... Never mind.
So Grace International School. It makes me get up and leave by 6.45 each morning and teach up to 7 periods in one day. It is 3-16 but fortunatly has nice class teachers to teach up to y6 so I dont have to. My teaching time is split so i teach 4 periods to y7 a week (science) and then 9 (bio, chem and phys) to each of y10 and y11. this means i am mostly doing iGCSE classes. (please excuse the following moan) There is no scheme of work in the school for KS4!!!!! (moan over). The classes are fantasticly well behaved (most of the time, I mean they are still kids) and some of the students are increadibly hard working. If you ask them to do some work they actually do it! (well there is always one that needs a bit of reminding). There have been some fun lots of blowing things up already including the "bomb" incident ****Warning, please do not try this at home**** When i slightly changed a methane rocket experiment by 1. converting from methant to propane (increasing the energy released by complete combustion) and 2. tried using a 2 litre bottle. needless to say i am lucky to still have hearing and everyone in the school heard it. everyone for 2 blocks heard it........ probably not gonna do that one again.
So anyway here is the lowdown on some of the teachers (and a few other people who are closely associated with the school in some way) so you know who i am talking about in future
Joshua Martin de Jong, American, 24, teacher of science: This is my room mate (currently one of) and the other half of the science department. He deals with small kids so i dont have to. From Michigan like half of all American missionaries in Bangladesh.... Goes around with a perminant chuckle ready to come out...
Shannon Thiesson, Canadian, 28, teacher of maths: the envaluable foil to an GCSE science teacher is the mathematician of the school. Her skills will hopefully turn my year 11s who cannot do percentages into skilled mathematicians by the summer. Wears a near perminant smile.
Burto, English (Brummie), Age well to look at him youd say about 40 :P, Not a teacher: Dave works for food for the hungry in Bangladesh his blog which is much more excelent than mine can be found at idiotgrace.blogspot.com listed due to a relationship with a certain maths teacher. Oh and also its partially his fault I'm here in the first place.
Jamie Beckwith, English, 32, teacher of english: Party bus organiser and controler of the mythical cable box Jamie is in truth the mythical guardian of social life in Dhaka or at least any that involves going for food on a thursday evening or watching some football.
Thallo, Ozzie, not actually a teacher: Fiancee of Jamie and provider of hugs when you feel like hitting something cause bangladesh is not treating you nicely
Bill Cherry, American, ??, teacher of Humanities: Bill is the arch enemy of the humble science teacher with no such thing as a fact only evidence that can be questioned. Another michiganite Bill is hugely into comics, working out and drumming.
Mr Ben, English, ??, Teacher of Y6 and Performing Arts: No he doesnt do magical things in a fancy dress shop... mr Ben keeps the y6s in line at the upper school as well as teaching drama and music. A talanted musician and singer Mr Ben is an old hand at Bangladesh and speaks good Bangla
Esther Clarke, Irish, 26, Teacher of Art: Artist extraordinaire is not enought to tell about Ester. A real encourager of a person with a good sense of humour Esther is a person to see whatever your mood even if you can't understand her half the time.
Kim Stevens, Ozzie, 24, Teacher of year 3: Half the time asleep. When not however is really good fun to be around.
Krista Schroeder, American, 23, Teacher of year 4: When not hard at work is the life and soul (and probably organiser) of the party. As well as all that comes up with all of the groups memes....
please dont be offended by being on this list/not on this list it is not comprehensive and is only intended to show a (very) brief glimpse into people i see and work with regularly
i am going to leave this there as i am tired and must sleep. Many thanks to Becky Green for writing the music that a) inspired me to write another blog and b) keep me going through this hour and a half long process - I may have got you a sale through my playing of your music...
to all my friends in England i will end with a little of the Bangla i have learnt (although not in bangla script)
aber deKhe hObe
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