The First Day Of School

I'm going back tomorrow. To school.

I know. Can you believe it?

Lemme 'splain: it's not really teaching. I'm going to tutor a four-year-old French girl whose family just moved here. She is set to start preschool next week, and her parents want her to have a little bit of English under her belt before she goes. So far the little girl can say "See ya!", which is more than many French adults can manage.

The best part is that I applied for the job on Sunday evening and got hired Monday afternoon. That's my kind of job search! The pay is decent. Plus, it's an international company, and they will add me to their list of tutors, so I might get more work from them in the future.

Today Allan and I went shopping for some supplies, because, you know, I left all that shit in France; anyway, I taught middle school those last few years. And when we entered the Parent-Teacher Store, we both said "Oh, cool!" It must be said that we are both paper geeks. Office supply stores excite us. Boxes of paperclips and stacks of Post-Its make us giddy.

I know. Geeks.

So we browsed the store, and I found some things that would help me convey some concepts to the little French girl. Allan kept showing me neat things, and I kept feeling like I wanted to be a teacher.

Scary, isn't it?

A little while ago, after I'd finished making flashcards, but before I'd finished punching out the orange oak tag letters, I asked Allan, "Do you think I'm making a lot of effort for not much payback?" I was tired of all the crafty crap I was doing for these six hours of tutoring (Oh, yeah, it's a REALLY short-term assignment. Six hours between tomorrow and next Thursday).

Allan said, "No, I think you're being professional, because you are one." That made me feel good, because something drove me to apply for this job, and something drove me to apply myself to the preparation for it. Maybe I'm not a slacker after all. Maybe I don't hate teaching after all.

Wait. Yes I do. But I think I can handle a four-year-old for six hours.

Comments

[kkonmymind]

Congrats! I applaud your creativity and preparedness. I often have the same fears that I am a slacker, but I often find there are outside factors I don't necessarily see that influence my slacker-i-ness, and when they fall away I can focus just as well as I ever could.

I too love paper goods and stationery stores! I always found that Japanese stores outdid US stores in this area, and I'm psyched that a Japanese stationery store opened near my office. Sometimes when I need a break in the afternoons I go there to browse and buy pencils and notebooks I don't even need...lol.

[ally bean]

your new teaching post sounds perfect. what fun.

[Stephanie]

I love buying school supplies,office supplies..etc.

I get lost in those stores...and I guess the Home Depot stores too. Those are really my favorites.
I like to be organized, but to do that, you have to have organizers and files and folders.... and they always have some new and exciting way of organizing....lol

Teachers are the best... I admire them, for caring about children...
I'm glad you didn't have to search long for a teaching position...Congratulations!

[Carrie]

Sounds like an awesome job. And with all the effort you're putting in, the next time a tutor opp presents itself, you're wayyy ahead in preparation!

I still say you could easily work at home doing translations for a translation company. Canada desperately needs people who can translate between french and english. There are a lot of companies in the USA who deal with Canadian companies too so...I'm sure there's mega work and money in that. Last I heard it paid realllllly well at least.

[Allan]

I'm so excited for you. It was cool to see you so excited today.

You're going to a great job.

[Neil]

Congrats. And it seems like you really enjoyed getting those school supplies. Maybe you should buy yourself a lunchbox and knapsack for the fun of it!

[Margaret]

I'm a sucker for those teacher stores. I see so much I want, and have to restrain myself. Last year I bought a telling time and number bingo for class. Teaching French to junior high/high school is a lot like elementary school, so I can buy all sorts of cool doo dads. I am thrilled for you; it will be fun to use your French, and tutor. I think it's a perfect use for your talents!

[Katherine]

I love stationery shops too!

Congratulations on the job, sounds like a good one, and here's to more like it.

[coldbear]

Bravo et bises à toi

[samantha]

Maybe it's just teaching in the French school system that you hated?? ;-)

[Anne]

Wait, you haven't MET the kid yet. Might be a real chipie! No, you don't hate teaching, you hate teaching in a crappy French middle school that gives you no support or back-up. Major difference. Little kids and adults, that's your style. (plus who knows maybe you'll be back to babysit the l'ttle one!)

[Mist 1]

"I think I can handle a four-year-old for six hours"

Good luck with that. This sentence makes me feel fear.

[Jessica]

Hi Alison,

You might consider working as a sub, to see if you might want to get into teaching in the US. It's not a bad temp. job either, and it often only requires a bachelors degree. I did it for a year before I decided I did NOT want to make up the extra classes to get a teaching degree. Though in my opinion, the most rewarding job would be 2nd - 4th grades, old enough for self-control, they know their expectations, and they still love learning. Middle School, Lord, I sarted refusing all assignments from middle schools after about 3 months (Incidentally, I did a middle school internship (not quite the same as the assistant program) in France too, and found it similarly bad, with the exception that French students seemed ever so slightly less precocious). In both places the faculty was really burnt out and tried to pursuade me not to go into teaching. H.S. students can also be fun, but the standards in American high schools (excepting AP classes) are frustratingly low.

And there you have, lots of opinions you never even asked for ;-)

[Kathryn]

Office supply stores rock!

Good luck with the new gig. Sounds like you're jumping in with both feet.

[ptooey]

Congratulations!

[Thomas]

You are doing things exactly right, Alison. Start slow, get your feet wet, build the hunger to educate (something you're skilled at) and make it your passion, not just your job.

[Teresa]

Good luck! I hope you get more work out of this!!! :-)

[Daisy]

Ah what a lucky little girl she is! I'm sure it will go brilliantly and students will be queuing up to have you tutor them :-)

[saundrah]

She is going to be so psyched to learn English and it will be fun watching her little 4 year old sponge brain pick it up quickly! I predict you will find yourself giggling often at her discoveries and 4 year old curiosity! Congrats! xo

ps.. I also love paper and stuff. I find my self lingering in that aisle at the drugstore even.

[Mille Pattes]

Ohhhhh eh l'autreuuuuu !
j'arrive à dire un peu plus que "See ya!"

six heures ce n'est pas énorme mais j'ai cru comprendre que tu serais sans doute reconduite.

Bon courage ( prof d'un jour, prof toujours ! )
bises

[Patrick]

I think you like teaching, just don't want it forced on you all the time.

I will tell you why I think that if you ask.

C'mon, don't you want some amateur analysis?

No charge, honest.

[lily]

oh i LOVE going to stores like that. in fact, that is one part of my job i love!! i have "StaplesLink" and can shop for paperclips, paper, postits to my hearts content (and the company budget) for the company...its fun trying to find things people need that they don't know how to describe, too.

anyway, i'm thrilled at your teaching job and it sounds like you're really excited, too. i'm sure more good things will come of this. :hug:

[Riana]

Oh, Ali, I'm an office supply store whore, love those places! Thank god, there is not one near us or we would be in debt.

Good luck with the teaching, I'm sure it will be great! See ya!!