(Justin) I just finished my 4th week of teaching. I'm slowly learning classroom management; it's a real challenge to keep kids engaged and come up with fun and short activities. Discipline is an issue because kids are still deciding whether to take me seriously. As mentioned in my previous post, some classes have significant challenges. Here are some stories from school so far:
Attendance is somewhat arbitrary. Next week the country will be on holiday from Wednesday to the following Monday, but some parents are leaving for overseas trips early, meaning some kids are going to miss almost two weeks of school. I had one student show up in the 3rd week of school because his family was still on vacation at the beach. No worries, it's allowed.
Last Friday as I was getting ready to start my last class, a parent walked in with a large birthday cake, drinks, cups, and utensils. She announced that we were having a birthday party for her son that hour. (The homeroom teacher of this class is long gone by my lesson time.) So...I guess I have to cancel class, and now I have to help manage 17 rowdy kids with a party. One of my colleagues, the native Turkish teacher who teaches English reading and writing came running in and graciously helped. She later explained to me that this mother is crazy and when she saw her in the hallway she helped stave off a confrontation between the mother and the principal, who didn't give permission for the party much to the mother's fury. The kids enjoyed the party but later demanded more treats. (Grrr.)
I have one group of 3rd graders that makes their homeroom teacher cry; she says it's the worst class she's seen in 25 years. Their previous teacher quit halfway through last year, and apparently never instilled much discipline when she had the class. (Sometimes kids will have the same teacher 1st through 4th grades, meaning the teacher makes a lasting impact good or bad.) I've seen teachers and principals chew this class up and down with little result. I've seen one-on-one pep talks with kids with little result. There is no such thing as detention or suspension that I can tell.
Speaking of crying, I see a lot of it in all my grades. Some kids cry when they are made fun of. Others cry after they've been punched by someone whom they made fun of. Others cry when I start to drag them to the principal's office after repeated warnings. One 4th grade boy started crying just because one of his friends was crying, kind of like that scene from Kindergarten Cop. Boys and girls alike. Whenever one is crying, rest assured 10 kids will raise their hands and say "So-and-so is crying," until I deal with it...again.
Sometimes my classes will also get canceled due to an exam, field trip, or special lesson. I usually find out about it right when the class meets, though you think they'd send an email out or put it on the calendar. (Does this happen for roving teachers in the U.S. too?) We also have after-school meetings or seminars that aren't scheduled more than a few days in advance. I can get out of some of them but not most. People love to give long-winded speeches, and this happens often at gatherings, making them drag on. Apparently a faculty-parent meeting after school last week featured long lectures by the teachers to the attending parents, such that the meeting went for three hours. Fun times!
Thanks for tolerating my education observations. I should say that so far I enjoy my coworkers and bosses, and that there are perks to the job (more on those later).
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
My Education in Turkish Education
(Justin) Many of you know that I now teach 2nd-4th grade English "Speaking and Listening" at one of the oldest and most well-known private K-12 schools in Turkey. This may end up being the toughest job I've ever had. My teaching experience is mostly with undergraduates, and while I've done some VBS and other summer activities with kids, I've not worked with young kids in a classroom setting. (And when I was in 2nd-4th grade I was the "mature" angel child that every teacher wanted as a student.)
A couple of the biggest differences between Turkish and American education that I've found most difficult so far (I'll post more later):
1. There is no "recess" hour where kids play on a playground. Instead, after each 40 minute lesson (and lunch) kids are allowed to run free in the hallways, yards, etc. for 10 minutes. This causes some tardiness, sweat, and blood that then has to be dealt with at the start of the next period. Last week, I had a student bust his head open on a door while running through the hallway. Dealing with him and his classmates' reactions were pretty much my entire lesson time. I'm thankful I can speak Turkish to get the help he needs or to at least try to calm the class down.
2. Teachers are required to do hall monitoring in all areas of the school before school and during the 10-minute recess periods and lunch. This means that on my duty days rather than prepping for my next 40 minute class, I have to run downstairs to keep kids from killing each other, then run back to class before the bell rings. I have to eat lunch quickly to get to my monitor position. I also have to make sure to get to school 30 minutes before the first bell rings to make sure the first students arrive okay (this will not be fun in the winter).
3. Special education is rare and offered only at specialized schools. Even if a student has a known learning disability or physical handicap, he will be with his class the entire day. Schools have psychologists on staff for consultation, but they are not special ed. teachers. Some students will have some remedial classes and tutoring in some subjects, particularly English, if they are not yet up to the school's standards. But students all receive the same lessons, so one has a wide range of student ability to teach to and it's hard. (In America, kids with speech or learning disabilities would be pulled out for at least some of their day in specialized small classes.) For example, I have some kids who I suspect are autistic, dyslexic, some with ADD or other disorders, and one who cannot see his book or the whiteboard unless his face is inches away from it. I have to give them the same lesson I give their classmates.
4. Grades are mostly arbitrary, primary students will at least receive a 3 (ie: C) in all subjects and no one is held back, he keeps going forward with his class. I heard some complaints about this from high school teachers during pre-year meetings, so I know it's similar all through 12th grade. It is perhaps worse in private schools because parents threaten to send their child to a competing school if he/she doesn't pass. There are exams and threats but at the end of the year...
5. Teachers typically get half or full-days off a week, depending on the schedule. That means a homeroom teacher gets to absolve responsibility for her class and go home at least once a week. Sometimes they go home if there is a foreign language or other non-homeroom class on the schedule the last couple hours of the day (even if school policy says otherwise). The kids are responsible for walking to another classroom if their schedule requires it and the homeroom teacher isn't there.
6. It's not uncommon to see 3rd-4th graders who only wear velcro or don't know how to tie their own shoes. I've tied a few shoes.
7. All schools begin every Monday with a flag-raising ceremony that features a singing of the national anthem. Primary students also say a vow to respect their elders and nation and such. Friday concludes with a similar ceremony. Since I have a class the last hour of Friday, I am responsible to walk them to the ceremony and lining them up (their homeroom teacher is long gone by then). It's the last hour on Friday so everyone is quite tired. I've memorized the Turkish national anthem so I can sing along.
8. Our school sells junk food to all students at all hours of the day (while vending machines are common in U.S. high schools, they're not so common at lower grades). Little kids constantly have ice cream, candy, and snacks if their parents give them money. Combine that with the 10 minute free-for-all after every 40 minute class and you get a mess.
9. Most Westerners will tell you that there is little discipline in Turkish homes, so the parents expect the schools to instill discipline (this sounds like plenty of places in America, so I withhold judgment). Parents choose a private school like the one I'm at because discipline tends to be stricter than public schools (also sounds like the West to me). But I find discipline and classroom management to be the single most difficult thing I do.
I'm learning!
A couple of the biggest differences between Turkish and American education that I've found most difficult so far (I'll post more later):
1. There is no "recess" hour where kids play on a playground. Instead, after each 40 minute lesson (and lunch) kids are allowed to run free in the hallways, yards, etc. for 10 minutes. This causes some tardiness, sweat, and blood that then has to be dealt with at the start of the next period. Last week, I had a student bust his head open on a door while running through the hallway. Dealing with him and his classmates' reactions were pretty much my entire lesson time. I'm thankful I can speak Turkish to get the help he needs or to at least try to calm the class down.
2. Teachers are required to do hall monitoring in all areas of the school before school and during the 10-minute recess periods and lunch. This means that on my duty days rather than prepping for my next 40 minute class, I have to run downstairs to keep kids from killing each other, then run back to class before the bell rings. I have to eat lunch quickly to get to my monitor position. I also have to make sure to get to school 30 minutes before the first bell rings to make sure the first students arrive okay (this will not be fun in the winter).
3. Special education is rare and offered only at specialized schools. Even if a student has a known learning disability or physical handicap, he will be with his class the entire day. Schools have psychologists on staff for consultation, but they are not special ed. teachers. Some students will have some remedial classes and tutoring in some subjects, particularly English, if they are not yet up to the school's standards. But students all receive the same lessons, so one has a wide range of student ability to teach to and it's hard. (In America, kids with speech or learning disabilities would be pulled out for at least some of their day in specialized small classes.) For example, I have some kids who I suspect are autistic, dyslexic, some with ADD or other disorders, and one who cannot see his book or the whiteboard unless his face is inches away from it. I have to give them the same lesson I give their classmates.
4. Grades are mostly arbitrary, primary students will at least receive a 3 (ie: C) in all subjects and no one is held back, he keeps going forward with his class. I heard some complaints about this from high school teachers during pre-year meetings, so I know it's similar all through 12th grade. It is perhaps worse in private schools because parents threaten to send their child to a competing school if he/she doesn't pass. There are exams and threats but at the end of the year...
5. Teachers typically get half or full-days off a week, depending on the schedule. That means a homeroom teacher gets to absolve responsibility for her class and go home at least once a week. Sometimes they go home if there is a foreign language or other non-homeroom class on the schedule the last couple hours of the day (even if school policy says otherwise). The kids are responsible for walking to another classroom if their schedule requires it and the homeroom teacher isn't there.
6. It's not uncommon to see 3rd-4th graders who only wear velcro or don't know how to tie their own shoes. I've tied a few shoes.
7. All schools begin every Monday with a flag-raising ceremony that features a singing of the national anthem. Primary students also say a vow to respect their elders and nation and such. Friday concludes with a similar ceremony. Since I have a class the last hour of Friday, I am responsible to walk them to the ceremony and lining them up (their homeroom teacher is long gone by then). It's the last hour on Friday so everyone is quite tired. I've memorized the Turkish national anthem so I can sing along.
8. Our school sells junk food to all students at all hours of the day (while vending machines are common in U.S. high schools, they're not so common at lower grades). Little kids constantly have ice cream, candy, and snacks if their parents give them money. Combine that with the 10 minute free-for-all after every 40 minute class and you get a mess.
9. Most Westerners will tell you that there is little discipline in Turkish homes, so the parents expect the schools to instill discipline (this sounds like plenty of places in America, so I withhold judgment). Parents choose a private school like the one I'm at because discipline tends to be stricter than public schools (also sounds like the West to me). But I find discipline and classroom management to be the single most difficult thing I do.
I'm learning!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Mom & Dad's Visit, Part 2
(Joni) Click here to read the first part, then read on for the rest of our adventures with my parents.
On Saturday, we went to one of the huge shopping centers (Anatolium mall & Nata Vega Outlets) that also has a super-cool aquarium which we had never visited.
On Sunday, we took Mom & Dad to visit the international, English-speaking fellowship, and that was fun for them to see. Then, we went out to lunch with some of our dearest friends here.
Then that afternoon we visited our favorite park in the city.
On Monday, Justin was surprised to get the afternoon off, so he took me out on a date while Grandma & Grandpa kept Elias! That was a win for everybody! (Here, American movies are played in English with Turkish subtitles, so we greatly enjoyed The Bourne Legacy!) While we were out, Elias had a great time with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma snapped this picture of Elias & Grandpa playing on Grandpa's iPhone.
Then on Tuesday, we visited Anıtkabir, the mausoleum and museum of Turkey's founder and hero, Atatürk.
Then Wednesday it was time for them to leave again. We had so much fun together that Elias tried to stow away in Grandma's suitcase!
We are blessed and grateful beyond measure to not only live in such a neat place as this, but also to have family who loves us so much to come visit and enjoy it with us! We had such a great time with them!
On Saturday, we went to one of the huge shopping centers (Anatolium mall & Nata Vega Outlets) that also has a super-cool aquarium which we had never visited.
 |
| Forgive me that this picture looks a little off-kilter. It's a printed photo that I just took a picture of... Still lets you see how cute we are! |
On Sunday, we took Mom & Dad to visit the international, English-speaking fellowship, and that was fun for them to see. Then, we went out to lunch with some of our dearest friends here.
Then that afternoon we visited our favorite park in the city.
 |
| We rode the Ferris Wheel too! |
On Monday, Justin was surprised to get the afternoon off, so he took me out on a date while Grandma & Grandpa kept Elias! That was a win for everybody! (Here, American movies are played in English with Turkish subtitles, so we greatly enjoyed The Bourne Legacy!) While we were out, Elias had a great time with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma snapped this picture of Elias & Grandpa playing on Grandpa's iPhone.
 |
| They called it the Turkish-English game. Really it was just the Google Translate app, but Elias thought it was hilarious when Grandpa's phone spoke in Turkish! |
Then on Tuesday, we visited Anıtkabir, the mausoleum and museum of Turkey's founder and hero, Atatürk.
 |
| It's built on a high hill, so there is an amazing view of the city every way you look! |
 |
| There is a cool walk leading up to the mausoleum with stone lions on either side, and Elias thought it was funny to put his hand in their mouths. Chomp! |
We are blessed and grateful beyond measure to not only live in such a neat place as this, but also to have family who loves us so much to come visit and enjoy it with us! We had such a great time with them!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Mom & Dad's Visit, Part 1
(Joni) My parents came in from Kentucky for their first visit to Turkey, and we had a STELLAR time with them! Rather than doing a huge blog series with all the pictures, I thought I'd just do a 2-part overview of the highlights.
We gave them a great overview of life in Turkey, including the delicious Turkish food!
And public transportation!
My Turkish language tutor and a friend of hers offered to take us on a tour of the city's castle and adjoining Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Those things were neat, but we had the most fun just visiting with the two Turkish girls!
Click here to read Part 2!
We gave them a great overview of life in Turkey, including the delicious Turkish food!
 |
| We had dinner at our favorite restaurant in our neighborhood, just around the corner from our house. They got the full treatment with several courses and delicious food! |
 |
| Dad is a coffee-lover, so Justin took him to try Turkish coffee. Wow, that stuff is strong! I think Dad enjoyed the home-brewed coffee from our French press more. |
 |
| Trying Turkish maraş ice cream. Yum! Elias definitely comes by his love of ice cream honestly... from Grandma! |
 |
| We even discovered a new dessert while they were here! We thought we were ordering plain ice cream, but instead we got Dondurmali Irmik Helvasi. Once we adjusted our expectations, it was tasty! |
 |
| They were troopers to stand in the overcrowded mini-buses! |
 |
| When we all squeezed into a taxi, Elias always wanted to sit on Grandma's lap! |
 |
| After the tour, we stopped at a cafe, and we had the best time just hanging out together! |
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A Picnic in the Woods
(Justin) If you live in Çankaya and don't have a car you can easily visit lots of neat parks, but it seems like actual wild nature is discouragingly out-of-reach. But luckily we live on the edge of town where a steep valley with walking trails, a woods with a couple of springs, and a great view of the valley and lake below is just a short walk from our apartment. One of the entrances is just outside Elias' Turkish preschool so I explored it a bit before today, but then decided to bring the whole family on a picnic to the woods. It's nice because even though the city is just a couple hundred yards away you can't hear it and you can breathe plenty of fresh air and the smell of pine trees.
The city has made it a picnic/camping area by piping up some of the springs
Elias thinks peanut butter & jelly sandwiches are great no matter where we are.
There are lots of quartz rocks to find, and plenty of turtles on the roads.
The roads have been dug and grated for cars, but it's not clear where there's any entrance or exit for them. Some of the roads are just dead ends on the side of the cliff. This is a view of the lake below. On the other side of the valley you can see shepherds tending sheep. It's quite steep.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer spots are littered with trash, part of life here. But there are plenty of green trees, fresh air, and wild flowers.
Not terribly far by taxi there is another larger woods and lake that's more touristy that we hope to explore next week when Joni's parents come for a visit.
 |
| View from up on the road. The tall trees in the middle are where our picnic was. |
The city has made it a picnic/camping area by piping up some of the springs
 |
| Elias splashing in the spring water. |
Elias thinks peanut butter & jelly sandwiches are great no matter where we are.
The roads have been dug and grated for cars, but it's not clear where there's any entrance or exit for them. Some of the roads are just dead ends on the side of the cliff. This is a view of the lake below. On the other side of the valley you can see shepherds tending sheep. It's quite steep.
Unfortunately, some of the nicer spots are littered with trash, part of life here. But there are plenty of green trees, fresh air, and wild flowers.
Not terribly far by taxi there is another larger woods and lake that's more touristy that we hope to explore next week when Joni's parents come for a visit.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Special Delivery: Present from New School
(Joni) This morning we had an unexpected knock on the door. I don't usually answer the door when Justin isn't home, because I probably won't have the language to talk to the person on the other side. However, through the peephole I could see this was a deliveryman with a small box, so I opened the door. It was a small present addressed to Elias, and the crest on the envelope was from his new English school, which he will start on Thursday!
Elias was VERY excited to get a present, and he eagerly opened it up!
It was a cute inflatable penguin that you put water in the bottom section so when you hit it it stands back up! There was also a sweet note from the principal saying how much they were looking forward to having him in their school this year.
What's really funny is Justin had found a toy like this for Elias last week, so he already had a tiger. Now his tiger has a friend!
Elias loves them both and is excited to have them "play" together. In celebration of his new penguin friend, we put in the Go, Diego, Go! episode about Pepito the Emperor Penguin, and Elias put his two friends on the couch with him to watch the episode together!
I thought that was such a sweet gesture from his new school, and we're looking forward to him going there and benefiting from their care!
Elias was VERY excited to get a present, and he eagerly opened it up!
It was a cute inflatable penguin that you put water in the bottom section so when you hit it it stands back up! There was also a sweet note from the principal saying how much they were looking forward to having him in their school this year.
Elias loves them both and is excited to have them "play" together. In celebration of his new penguin friend, we put in the Go, Diego, Go! episode about Pepito the Emperor Penguin, and Elias put his two friends on the couch with him to watch the episode together!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Turkish Preschool
Today was Elias' last day at Turkish Preschool. The Fall Semester begins next week, and we have decided to send him to an English-speaking preschool instead. We feel like his social and English language development will do better in a place where he understands the language. However, we are so grateful for the opportunity to send him to the Turkish Preschool last year! The ladies there were so kind and patient with him, and he absolutely loved going there. He got to take all kinds of field trips to fun places we've not been. We wouldn't hesitate for a minute to recommend this school to any other expats considering sending their children there. So in honor of his last day, I thought I'd post some pictures from the school's end-of-year celebration that happened in June but I never got around to posting pictures on here.
 |
| Elias' 4-year-old class. He is on the far right standing with the teacher's assistant. The head teacher for his class is standing on the opposite side. |
 |
| They sang a song with pom pom choreography! |
 |
| His class singing a song while dressed in duck costume! Elias only went in the mornings, so he wasn't there for music class in the afternoons, and so he didn't participate in this part of the presentation. We enjoyed it anyway, though! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)