Start of Term Two

I was thinking last week, that learning to teach is a lot like learning to drive. When I first learned to drive, I had a tendency to look directly in front of the vehicle. This would cause me to swerve slightly, back and forth, in order to stay in the center of the road. My eyes would get tired as well. Driving instructors tell you to gaze into the distance rather than in front of you. This helps to keep a more steady path. This is tricky to do at first, because I was not sure about how far to look. Looking too far into the distance is not good either and it feels unnatural.

When I first started teaching I think I was looking directly in front of me. I was working too hard to get everything perfect, overcorrecting myself so much in order to have every detail planned for each lesson. This caused me to be planning for each class usually in my free periods before the class, or early in the morning and late after school was over in order to be ready. I became very tired after about 6 weeks of this and then gradually began to care about nothing, leaving school as soon as I could and winging every class directly from the textbook. This got me through the last 4 weeks. The last week I nearly had a meltdown and did end up crying in the staffroom from anxiety over a certain class.

I think that I was looking too close into the future in the beginning and too far in the end. Just like driving.

After a nice two week break that is given between terms I have been doing much better. I think I’ve figured out where to set my gaze. I have even given myself a goal and boundary for each day. It goes like this: I am not allowed to stay at school past 4:00 pm. When I leave school, I am not allowed to work on school or think about school. I also require myself to plan the next day’s classes one day in advance. I am not allowed to plan for a class on the day that I teach it. So, if I’m not ready, I will just ‘wing’ it.

And after doing this for a week and a half now, I havent had to ‘wing’ anything. I’ve left every day at 4. I haven’t done any planning outside of that time. I have a life outside of school and it feels great. I think what this has done for me, is to force me to make pivotal decisions so that I’m not spending hours looking up possible ideas and not actually getting anywhere. I pick something, write it down and move on. I’m not longer worried about everything being perfect, and to be honest, I think it’s making me more creative.

Another thing that has happened recently is that I was trying to order some organisms for an experiment in biology called ‘planaria’. They are these cool little 1 cm worms that can be used in many different experiments such as testing if they prefer light, or being at the top or bottom, or if they like certain ‘smells’ etc. They also grow back as two if you cut them in half. I looked online and to my dismay there are no biological providers in New Zealand that will ship these to me. And it’s not just planaria, it’s anything. You can’t buy animals that have been preserved for dissecting, you can’t by certain species of algae for experiments… You have to catch or grow it yourself…

I really do think it has to do with the New Zealand mentality of, ‘she’ll be right’, and ‘do it yourself’. So, I emailed a guy at the university in town and he gave me some instructions he found on how to catch planaria. At first I was really sceptical, and the first 3 times I tried it, it didn’t work. But, I did find a stream that has them, and caught 35 of the worms! The method involves putting some cooked egg yoke in a tea bag and suspending it inside a jar that you place in the mud so the edge is just above the muck at the edge of the stream. The planaria smell the egg and crawl in and stay there. My lesson went great and the students had fun. I got to go wading in my gumboots and learned something new. It’s still a bit frustrated that I can’t just buy what I need, but at the same time, I’m really glad that I couldn’t this time.

Easter Break is here

Hello everyone,

Teaching is going well. I’m realizing that I need to work less and focus less on making what I do perfect. I know that improvements can happen over several years. I don’t need to have everything figured out right now. If I keep pushing myself the way that I have over the last couple months, I think I will burn out as a teacher. I need to allow myself some more rest. I’ve been doing that now, but all the work has been catching up to me in the form of fatigue. I know that a lot of first year teachers go through this, so it’s not completely discouraging. It’s actually encouraging to know that others go through the same thing. It’s been extremely helpful and such a blessing to have such a good friend here in New Zealand. I know things would be different if he was not here to offer an arm to lean on.

I don’t have many new pictures to post right now. Please keep my students in your prayers. There is one who may lose his eyesight, and my heart just goes out to him. It must be so hard to not see. Please pray that his optic nerve heals from the inflammation that has been present for many weeks now.

Dexter and I are also ambitious to start giving Bible studies to some people here. We’ve never done this before, but are excited and optimistic to be able to spread the good news that God loves them.

Autumn is starting to creep upon us. For Easter we get a 5 day weekend and it’s just what I’ve needed. In a few weeks we get our first term break which is for 2 whole weeks. I can’t wait. I think I’m going to do as little as possible. I think I’ll write a more proper blog post then.

Below is  a graph of what a lot of first year teachers go through. The months don’t match up with my year, but I’d say I’m near the disillusionment stage.

First Impressions of Teaching

I’ve been teaching for about 2 and a half weeks now. My first full week was exhausting but good. My second week was discouraging with a glimmer of hope, and my third week is going well and I’m starting to feel like I’m in a place where I’m able to plan more than just one day at a time, and have a bit of free time to each day. The first 2 weeks had me working about 12 hours each day just to keep up. I’m starting to figure out what’s really important and what is interesting, but perhaps a waste of time at this point. As a first year teacher, I understand that much of the year may feel like a mere survival. I have had days where I’ve cried, wondering if I can do this more than even a few years. But I think I just need to learn how to balance, and I can see myself learning this already.

With no grading to do, as NZ schools don’t put a huge stress on this, I am free to spend my time working on other areas of my teaching. This is such a blessing. My students are mostly delightful. My year 11′s (aka grade 10) are beginning to get past that ‘testing the water’s’ stage. I have 24 of them in Science. It’s really interesting because I’m starting to think I tend to be a rather strict person in general which is really helpful in my teaching. I was afraid that my students would walk all over me, but they have been surprising me the last week or so, because they are so quiet in class, and they are taking notes. Many of them were rather frustrating the first week, trying to get away with doing nothing, but I’ve tried to stay consistent and I think it’s working.

My year 12′s (aka grade 11) are such nice kids. I have 10 in Chemistry. They enjoy being there and are for the most part good workers. I gave them a test today and can see they need quite a bit more work before the final assessment for the standard we are working on, but I’m hopeful that they will step up and do more revision (aka ‘study’).

My year 13′s (aka grade 12) are also very nice. Many of them are type A personalities and are taking both Biology and Chemistry. I have these classes back to back for 2 periods. Right now we are working on a standard in each class where they have to create their own investigation. In biology they are working with slaters (aka pill bugs, aka roly polies, aka wood lice). I am so excited about their ideas and what they have come up with. Some are testing the speed at which slaters move while exposed to different temperatures. One group is measuring the distance at which the slaters stop alternating turning in the opposite direction turn when forced to turn a specific direction. Others are testing the preference of humidity, food, and light level. In chemistry they are testing the effect of UV and temperature on chlorine in pool water. It’s such a learning experience even for me because I never did these types of assignments in high school.

One thing that has been very hard here is that New Zealand teachers have next to no resources to turn to when creating their units. This is hard because I’m the only chemistry teacher at this school and have no chemistry mentor. I’m doing alright, and am learning, but it’s a challenge. I’m thankful that we do have a chem technician that comes in to make solutions for me twice a week.

I enjoy it here very much. I’ve been blessed so much to be working at this school as my first school. The staff are so supportive and caring and the students are nice and for the most part respectful. I can see myself working here for many years. I have also met a wonderful young man at church and we are enjoying spending the weekends and other free time together. I took part in a triathlon last week. I was the swimmer of a 3 person team.  To see more pictures of the last month click here. I wish I had more organised things to say in this post but I’ve been so busy that I’ve hardly had time to even think about blogging.

The Rollercoaster

So, you probably have noticed that my posts have been less frequent. This is what happens when things begin feeling like normal. I feel very at home here. I only had a small bit of culture shock, but it didn’t last long as I met a great group of friends here. I’ve chosen a church to attend and am getting involved there as well.

School starts next week and I have been feeling as if I’m on a figurative rollercoaster. For those of you that have ridden large roller coasters you know the deal: You wait in line forever, then strap yourself into a car, upon which the coaster begins to slowly crank you up to the tippiest topmost peak. You are nearly leaned vertical in your seat. You can see the sky above you, and know that just over that railway that does not continue to go up, is a drop that you will soon be catapulted down at ridiculously fast speeds into uncertain loopdee loos and turning bends. This knowledge makes you feel extremely anxious, as the human body is designed to want to escape death of which is sometimes accompanied with the feeling of falling. But, over the top you go, and you scream at the top of your lungs, and you’re so frightened that your heart leaps into your throat. Your hands grip the seat until your knuckles go white and before you know it you’re at the end of the ride with tears streaming from your eyes because you forgot to blink. But all you can think about while you are shaking too much to stand up is, “Let’s do that again!!”

So, how is what I’m going through now like a roller coaster? Well, currently right now, I’ve already waited in line for nearly 2 years to get to New Zealand, and now I’m strapped in and advancing to the top of the ride. I’m nervous and anxious about what it will be like. In about one week I’ll be thrown over the edge and will be screaming inside as I make my best efforts as a first year teacher. Hopefully, I’ll be able to lift my hands above my head to enjoy the ride and after all is said and done when the year is finished, I’ll be able to say with figurative wobbly knees, and with my heart pounding in my throat, “Let’s do it again!”

I’m confident that God will help me.

Click here to see some new pictures of kite flying with some people from the church I attend.

Trivia New Zealand: Currency

It’s been quite a while since my last post. I’ve had a wonderful holiday. On Christmas Eve I went kite flying on the rolling hills. I spent Christmas with the family of some staff here. Then, the day after Christmas I bought a comfy chair for my room. The day after Christmas is called ‘Boxing Day’ and is like ‘Black Friday’ in the US. I saved $700 on my chair. That evening I went to a demolition car derby with some friends. Then on the 30th went to Wellington on a day trip. Then for New Years I went camping near New Plymouth on the west coast. Then I went up to Tauranga near the north coast for a birthday part for a family member of some friends. I’ve posted some pictures of these events on my flickr page. Click the title of this blog and then the more pictures link on the right. Or click here. To see an interactive map of the places I’ve been thus far in New Zealand, click here.

Or, just look at this picture:

It’s been an amazing two weeks… Today I started planning for the school year. I hope to get 4 hours in each day until school starts to make sure I’m ready. I have a car now as well. And guess what? It’s a manual transmission! I never thought I’d ever do it, but I bought a manual, and I’m getting pretty good at it.

Now, on to the trivia!

1. Notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

2. Coins have values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2.

3. Due to the discontinuation of 1c, 2c and 5c pieces, purchases made in New Zealand are subject to “rounding” of amounts either up or down. The Reserve Bank believes most retailers are adopting the Swedish Rounding System. Under this system prices, ending in 1 to 4 cents will be rounded down and prices ending in 6 to 9 cents will be rounded up. For example, a purchase of $15.14 would be rounded down to $15.10, and a purchase of $15.16 would be rounded up to $15.20. It is at the retailer’s discretion how they handle prices ending in 5 cents.

4. There is a national 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) that’s applicable to everything. However, the price you see on an item has the tax already included, so when it says $19.99 you give them a $20 dollar note and don’t even have to get the penny back to weigh you down.

5. Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, but is not unwelcome. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.

6. The monetary unit is the New Zealand dollar which is equal to 100 New Zealand cents. Currently the New Zealand dollar has a lower value than the US dollar. Currently, one New Zealand dollar is 0.84 US dollars. The exchange rate fluctuates.

7. New Zealand is a plastic nation – almost all personal financial transactions are made with a card – credit or otherwise. Most shops offer EFTPOS and cash is seen less and less. It is possible that New Zealand was the first nation to offer this system of payment. The majority of taxis now allow you to pay without cash through this system.

Miss?… or THIS! Water and Christmas

I’ve got another two comparisons ready for Miss! or THIS!

First is the water situation that I have noticed in New Zealand. In the States, you can count on their being a drinking fountain in just about every public venue. Not the case in New Zealand. If you want water, you better bring your own, or bring money to buy your own. Finding a drinking fountain out side a bathroom is a rare and glorious thing here. Strangely, I have yet to buy a proper drink bottle to carry my needed hydration and try to fill up before I leave the house. Oh yes, and reusable water bottles are called ‘drink bottles’ quite often here.

The thing that I’ve noticed that they do have though is nearly every single toilet I have seen during my month stay in New Zealand has two buttons on it. No handle, but a duo button. If you have traveled through Chicago and stopped at one of the Oasis rest stops you may be familiar with the function. Press the special handle up and you get half a flush; press the handle down, and you get a full flush. Same function here. There is a half flush and full flush button.

Both of these differences probably save the country a lot of water. New Zealand is rather environmentally conscious. I personally don’t think I could choose between these two things. I would want both.

One thing I found kind of awkward at first, and still stumble over it sometimes, is that if you need to relieve yourself, it isn’t very common that people will say, ‘I need to use the restroom, or bathroom’, They will say, ‘I need to use the toilet’, or ‘Where is the toilet?’ Personally, I find this a bit blunt. Of course what I really want when I go to the restroom, is the toilet. But, I don’t want to announce to the world that I will actually be using one. I like to keep it a bit more ambiguous. But, if you say restroom or bathroom here, it will be taken as such, a bathroom is for taking a bath, and a restroom, is well… it doesn’t really may sense.

Another difference here is the fashion of how Christmas is celebrated. I am accustomed to having Christmas with snow, and cold, and early evenings. This can be very beautiful, but I’m usually ready for the snow to be gone after New Years. So, I kind of like the difference found here. Last week I went with some friends to see some houses lit up for the holidays and got to walk through their twinkly garden in full bloom. It does seem a bit strange to have the iconic Christmas decorations strewn about with their snow-ready gear, amidst the greenery and warm weather. I don’t really like the commercial aspect of this, but I do greatly appreciate the nice weather.

New Zealanders associate Christmas with having a Barbie (Barbecue) and going to the beach, swimming, and spending time out in the sun with shades and sun hats. It’s summer after all. I even saw some wrapping paper that had the words, ‘Christmas, Summer, Beach, Fun,’ written all over it. It’s kind of interesting. We’ll see how much I like this difference when winter comes around and there is nothing to celebrate during the deary darkness and cold. I will have my birthday at least.

We also have what is called the New Zealand Christmas tree, or Pohutukawa tree, which is an actual living tree that is native to New Zealand. It blooms in December and people often will say something like, “The Pohutukawa’s are blooming early this year. We’re going to have a nice summer.” When in full bloom the tree is absolutely gorgeous!

I’ve been taking full advantage of the nice weather and the holidays. Last weekend I went up with friends to see the wind farm that is iconic for Palmy. Also, Yesterday I went swimming at a river near here with some friends and had so much fun. I even tried some cliff jumping. As last time, be sure to click the lower right hand corner to view the video as full screen and then press escape to return to normal once it’s finished.

The Deaf Frog and Tolaga Bay

This Tuesday was the last day of school. Most of the students had already gone as the Seniors (year 11-13) finish early to take exams. So, we had prize giving for the Juniors and Intermediates (year 7-12). The speaker opened with the following motivational story. I thought it was a really good message, so I’ll share it here:

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a climbing competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began. No one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
Heard throughout the race were statements such as, “Oh, way too difficult”, “They will never make it to the top”, “Not a chance they will succeed”, and “The tower is too high”.
The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one – except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher. The crowd continued to yell, “It is too difficult! No one will make it”!
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But one continued to climb higher and higher. This one refused to give up!
At the end of the race, all had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
All of the other tiny frogs wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it. They asked him how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.
It turned out that the winning frog was deaf!

I like this story because it demonstrates how important it is to be deaf to the discouraging things that others will say about what you know you are capable of and about what you believe. We should be listening to God for our value and for what we can do through Him.

It’s been really great to be here even for the last 3 weeks of school as it’s given me a chance to ask questions and get to know the other teachers a bit. Last week I went on the year 9 camping trip to Tolaga Bay on the East Coast. It was a great experience and helped me to feel a bit more confident around the students. I was in charge of taking role and making sure everyone was accounted for. I also confiscated a cell phone, which were not allowed during the week.

During the trip we had several activities to try to teach the students about service and being unselfish. We paired them up with other students that they didn’t usually hang out with and had them feed each other a piece of cake. It was interesting to watch. Some of them did very well, and others didn’t. Some of the students practically shoved the cake in their partners mouth and it was obvious that they only really cared about how they didn’t really want to be doing the activity. We gave them a chance to try again the next day during a rest stop on our tramp (hike in NZ) They did much better, with some of the worst offenders the day before excelling to be much more caring. The last evening we discussed footwashing and what it means. 80% of the students at the school are not Adventist and so this was something brand new for them to do. It wasn’t a mandatory activity, but even though many had said they weren’t going to do it, all of them did come and participate. It was a really cool to see them growing.

I’ve posted some new pictures of the trip on Flickr. You can click here to see them, or click ‘More Photos’ on the right of the blog. Be sure to click the title of this blog if you are reading this in an email so you can see the link. I’m still working on finding a car. But, overall feel pretty good about being here. I had a bit of culture shock during the first week. It surprised me because it happened so fast. I was doubting everything and felt very alone. But, thankfully that was over in a few days.

I’ve also put together a video of some footage I took when I flew to New Zealand, as well as from the Tolaga Bay trip. Enjoy! And be sure to click the bottom right corner of the video for full screen. Then press escape to return to normal after it’s over.