This week

Today is Monday, yet it is my third working day this week.

Confusing.

The schools are closed Friday an Saturday, that is the weekend here for most people. This past weekend though we had parent consultations on Saturday. One day weekends are no fun...I quickly found that out in Kenya...I would not enjoy a job where that is the norm. I don't know how my Dad has done it for all these years.

Thankfully though we are off from Thursday for Eid.

Meeting the parents is always quite enjoying. Such funny and bizarre stories I have stored away. And such lovely gifts (I forgot about that perk!), flowers (quite a treat in Kuwait), perfume, body cream...one parent even brought me a coffee and a bucketful of Krispy Kreme doughnuts (ahhh, so great...yet so not helpful!). I may not be in Africa, but bribery is still rife. Love it!

I have been clear though, I will not accept any bribes for an A...anything less than an i-phone that is. Joking. (Of course..!) Flowers will do!

My local flower stall in Nairobi

Lost in the moment

I haven't really said much about the 'w' place. Why? Well, I think if you don't know me well it makes me seem quite a negative or unhappy person. But that isn't me. The experience has been quite negative but as a person I hope and think I am (generally) the opposite.

But you know, this year I have cried more than any other. Even today, when you cry so much that you get a headache, you are all puffy. I couldn't stop.

Then my dad phones and makes everything better. Really.

The things that I have been wrapped up with this year, will soon seem so unimportant. I won't remember names of those I don't want to and money is only money. I realise I am incredibly lucky to say that. (The 'w' place are taking every penny I don't yet have off me because I am breaking contract.) If I didn't have such a supportive family I would have had to stayed for another year, in unhappy circumstances. But instead I can get on a plane on Thursday and leave the (bad bits) behind me.

It is all pretty draining. Sad, genuine loving farewells, but relief that I have other opportunities and can go.

I went to my last yoga session and sushi with wonderful people (including my amazing teacher) this evening and these are the memories I will be taking with me. All the other stuff, well it isn't really that big of a deal. It is at the moment. But I am leaving it all behind me and looking forward to brushing my teeth is soft Scottish water soon!

Creativity fosters Creativity

The packers are in today. I'm getting ready to walk down that corridor of life and open another door...right Dad!? But, I am thinking of my time away from Africa as extended leave. I am certain I'll be back.

I first came to Africa to volunteer in three different local schools in Uganda. I found that my short time in three schools was making little impact and it was hard to build relationships in three schools in such a short time, so I then focused my time and energy in one school teaching mainly the P7 class at Valley View, on the outskirts on Jinja.

Teaching in a local school was quite an eye opener. I went full of fun ideas and resources (I think I was treating it a bit like 'summer camp', but the young Headmaster of the school, Hope, gently insisted that I focus on the curriculum, as children had to sit competitive exams for secondary schools and universities. Children learnt old fashioned English idioms off by heart and countless other, pretty useless, things. On paper it seemed that the pupils all had a good grasp of English, but unfortunately in conversations could say very little. Rote learning was the method of teaching and there was little opportunity for creative thinking or creating learners with problem solving skills.  Unfortunately this means that pupils and young adults may leave the educational system with certificates and high marks but are unable to get good jobs as many organisations recognised the limitations to the government education system. This means that in lots of cases the educational system is failing many pupils.

What I am saying is not new. We now know that rote learning does not give children the skills for life long learning, but in the not so distant past it was how everybody learnt in the shiny Western world, so we can't be so quick to be critical. Now, in the National Curriculum and PYP/IB system, although recognising that sometimes there is still a place for rote learning (when learning the times tables, conjugating Latin verbs, reciting Poetry etc), good schools and teachers will use each activity in lessons to encourage and inspire creativity, leadership and co-operative skills in each pupil. As educationalists, we recognise that pupils need to leave school with relevant skills for the ever changing environment that we live in.

DevEd is a newly established NGO that believes relevant education is the key to development. As a teacher, I value the mission of this organisation. They are currently carrying out a participatory assessment in Northern Uganda and aiming to build a pilot school with a tailored curriculum to fit the needs and values of the Amolatar community. DevEd believes this will empower the community as the curriculum will be more relevant to learner. Sounds great, don't you think?

If you would like to find out more about DevEd's project in Northern Uganda, watch this cool wee video clip.

It is so easy to get lost in our own world, we which are the centre of, but here is a way you can easily get involved. DevEd and Love+Water Designs are hosting a T-shirt design competition to raise funds and awareness for the organisation. Cash prizes will be awarded to two chosen winners. Designs can be submitted on the Love+Water Designs website.

Please spread the word about the competition, especially those of you in Uganda. Thank you!

(PS - To make you smile-I have just realised my external hard drive (probably along with a number of other things that I need before September) has been packed by accident in one of my 22 boxes. Whoops! Time to use some problem solving skills! )

International Teaching-Choosing the Right School

Beware-the longest post in my blogging history...

 I rarely write about the 'w' thing.

Yet, I spend so much of my time there.

The world of International Teachers is a funny one.

It was only at a hockey tournament recently that I realised how 'we', the teachers, were at the peripheral of the Kenyan community. As I spent my Saturday rolling on balls and timing matches, I really felt, more than anywhere I had ever taught, that here I am the hired 'help'.

Many of the prep schools in Kenya pride themselves on the fact that they are not International schools, but, British prep schools that just happen to be in Kenya (hmmm). But this is not about schools here in Kenya...it is just a little check-list I use. In the Middle East, we talked of 'Mickey Mouse' schools. Schools that, from a distance, seemed like they ticked all the boxes (generally new ones, with amazing resources), but just were paying for their accreditations. Maybe this might help to source the right school for you...

A Mini Guide to International Teaching

Part 1- Choosing the Right School
(PS- I have no idea WHAT part 2 would be about...if there is one!?)

• Do not choose the country over the school. Remember that you will be spending A LOT of time at work. You could be working on an idyllic island, but if you don't have time to enjoy the country then you will be very unhappy. You have to choose the school because it is where you want to work, a place that you will be able to grow and develop professionally and that can offer things  that other schools cannot.At the moment, my new phrase is, 'I love Kenya. I just don't have time to enjoy it'.(If you do choose the country over the school, NEVER complain about work, as that is not why you moved there.) Saying all that...take that advice with a pinch of salt, as I definitely chose to live in Uganda, rather than the school and I do not regret it for a second. I think you CAN choose the country if you are near the beginning or end of your teaching career...but only then.

• Do your research on the school. This seems pretty obvious, but believe me it is the most important factor. I have never gone to a job fair, but I know that these schools are, of course, going to 'sell' their school to you. You need to do your own research into the country and school. It is best if you visit the school before you sign your contract. I have always managed to visit the school and it does help. Although you still won't know exactly what it is like to work there, you will get a feel for the dynamics of staff in the staffroom and you will get to meet pupils etc. Also, work out your 'take home' salary. On paper the salary might sound good and of course the school will say it is 'competitive' or 'good' , but is it really? Factor in costs like accommodation, petrol, household staff (yes-a perk of living as an ex-pat), security and food shopping. If you don't get to meet teachers at the school (before signing) ask about your colleagues. Are they single? Couples? Families? If there are many teachers married to non-teachers, it probably means that the salary is not very good, that it is hard to live off only a teaching salary. Once you have been on the international circuit for a while, research is mostly done by talking to friends/other teachers who have worked to tell you about their experiences. I have been teaching abroad for going on 8 years (ah! where has the time gone!?) and you quickly find out what a small world the teaching world is. There is always someone that knows someone in this school or worked in that. (That is why it is also so important to always do your best, work professionally and leave a school on good terms!) This all sounds so obvious, but really, when some young teachers rock-up to start their job, I wonder if they know where the country (that they have just relocated to) is located on a map. Worrying!!
 

• Interview the school. Remember it is very important that YOU choose the right school. Every school wants you to say that you will work for them for a minimum of 3 years (just say it!!), but there is no way you can do that if you are not happy. Find out if you think you will be. What can the school offer you? I have had to teach lessons as part of the interview process in the past. This is understandable and if you are a good teacher, will enjoy being able to 'show off' and use all your teaching tools. But what about the leaders and management of the school. Ask them questions. Do they have the same philosophies on education as you? Are they up-to-date with new initiatives and encourage their teachers to stay uptodate?Look for little things like a subscription to TES  in the staffroom.What do they have in place for Professional Development?

• Value yourself. Be confident but honest. A good school will respect the fact that you are driven professionally and if they employ you it is expected that they will help facilitate this. Does the school have positions of responsibilities that become available often?  If you want to grow and develop as a professional, you need to seek a school which has plenty of opportunities for you to do so and that values a teacher that has the drive to better themselves.

• Induction. If you are taking part in the Induction (for new teachers at the beginning of a new school year), it means you have accepted a contract with the school. But before that, you will know if the school is experienced with having international teachers and is prepared to support them with the move to a (possibly) new country. Do they have a forum for new teachers (a Facebook page for example)? Do you have school documents (medium term plans, schemes of work..)before you arrive at your new school? These will help give you a clue how well set up the school is for new staff. At one school I worked at, we were bused about for the first week, taken to the supermarkets, to restaurants etc...there was no time to feel lost or lonely. Another, my accommodation was not ready for my first week, I was left to get a taxi to work by myself...which I had to pay for and I bought my own map (as in, we were left to it). 
 

• Notice the small things. (Do this when you visit the school-if you can.) What is the attire of the staff like? If there is a smart dress code, then the school and its management team have high expectations on their staff and probably treat them like professionals. If it is casual, it may mean that leadership /management don't have much authority and professionalism is not valued.
 

• Study your contract and the package carefully. Money is not everything, but remember that it is one way that you feel valued as a professional. Everyone has tough weeks, but they will be easier if you are paid well. (See above-about doing your own research). Check out which area you may live in, (note, if it is by a UN, it probably means accommodation prices will be sky high...just saying!!)
 

• Think about what you want in the long term. If you are just in the international teaching circuit for the experience, then a year here or there does not matter. These teachers are called 'backpack teeachers'. But if you are in the for long haul, it does matter if you move from school to school frequently. Schools don't want to continually invest time and resources into recruitment. Choose a school where you can see yourself being for at least 3 years.
 

• Follow your gut. Sometimes, no matter how many lists you make about the pros and cons of schools, you just have to follow your gut feeling and hope that you have a great experience working at that school. (I once, on a visit to a school, that I then worked in, met a woman, whom I knew I wouldn't gel with or work well with. I thought it wouldn't matter. It did. My first instinct was right.)   

And if it doesn't work out, know there are plenty of other schools and opportunities waiting for you. Life is too short to be unhappy at work.

 Is there anything else I should add on to this mini-guide?

PS- If you are still reading- thank you! I am not surprised if you skipped bits and bobs...I obviously just felt the need for sharing!

Notes from Nairobi: Reminders that I am in Africa

This weekend I visited the infamous Kabira  for the first time. This Kibera (meaning forest or jungle)...opposed to the country club I was a member of in Kampala...this Kibera is a community in Nairobi with over 1 million people. (I will write more about Kibera in more detail another time- but did you see the Comic Relief documentary that sent British celebrities to live and work in the ‘slum’ ; ‘Rich, Famous & In The Slums’ ? ) The problems of Kibera are known around the world and money is thrown at it.( I will write more about  There are said to be approximately one NGO worker for every person living in the community-quite a figure.

The projects that work are (of course) self-sustainable.  On Saturday I got invited by a friend to visit a project, Kibera Mpra Mtaani,which she is heavily involved in; it is becoming self sustainable and (more importantly) a success! 

The project works by using football as a tool to reach out to young people. One of the things the organisation was able to do was buy a small plot of land at Kibera (from the very rich landowners...) for an Education Centre. The facility is a haven for pupils that go to school, that need a place to do homework (with lights etc).  There are weekend sessions, to keep children from spending money on watching porn and out of trouble. A lot of these teaching sessions are fun and active using resources that are not always available in local schools (not something the children often get to experience at school)-for example paints and colours were taken today to do some art with the children. There is a full-time member of staff and volunteer teaching assistants that run study sessions. To make the organisation establish sustainability it spent donated funds on a satellite to view football games. People  have to pay a small amount to watch the game (which is above some Eco toilets...and has a good view of Kibera!) and the money is then pumped into the after school/weekend education facility. I was shown the new fridge that the organisation got from Cocacola to sell sodas at games to raise funds. Sounds simple, it is in theory, and it is massively successful.

I got to meet  Steven, the first pupil that has used the facility and was supported by the organisation and is now starting University on Monday, studying Education. 

The next step or the club is to expand their facility (as there are often days with over 200 children in the tin hut) and build an ICT suite – again which would be self sustainable.

It was great to see the project working and to think about future activities and how I can become more involved with the project. We are going to make play dough to take for the session.

 

Visit the website and show your support; it is a fantastic organisation!

Google-diagnosing

Misled as I am, I think of myself as a healthy person. I exercise (on good weeks), my meals are cooked from scratch (no jars,no frozen meals), I have my 5 a day, I take supplements, I drink plenty of water and I sleep lots. I  might drink too much wine (sometimes!!) but I am not prepared to give that up, and I heard it was good for you!

That being said, I am not having the greatest month in health.

I am now google-diagnosing what is wrong with me.
At first I thought perhaps my bilharzia hadn't been 'killed off' as I am constantly tired. But my killer headaches and back pain don't fit into that category.So, perhaps I have Malaria. Everyone in Uganda gets Malaria...or is it just our teaching-assistants that it effects???
I wake up with a headache, think a glass of wine will help (not in the morning of course...!) and go to sleep with a headache. I can't read my book-club book because the words are too small and I just want to sleep once I am in bed.

My self-prognosis...ageing.

I have spent the evening checking my BUPA benefits plan and surprisingly enough, I am not covered for either Ageing or Puberty!

Bugger! 

However, my Psychiatric Care is!

I need a holiday!

A Weekend in Kampala

This past week I became 'mum' for two days and one night; when I went camping with 36 (which became 35 before midnight) eight year olds! Lots of fun was had in deepest, darkest Africa...Entebbe! We were all suitably exhausted and dirty when we returned to school, to excited parents, on Friday. I came back feeling a bit flat, realising how much I would miss the gang and was also thinking of all my friends reuniting at Lomond after 10 years.  I was well and truly ready for company to get me out of the end of week slump!


My perfect Kampala weekend commenced.
A recipe for a great weekend:
Great friends and new friends; good wine, great food, Belgium ice-cream, beautiful views of Lake Victoria, a comfy bed, dips in the pool, a morning run and fresh coffee. Lots of silliness, seriousness and laughter.

Only 5 days until the next!

Enjoying the views of Lake Victoria on Saturday

Just thinking...for now.

A beautiful friend of mine was (back) in Kampala for 24 hours this week. We spent the evening catching-up after our favourite yoga teacher helped me get into Crows position for the first time. My beautiful friend is now based in Nairobi; a place I fall in love with more each time I visit. It has all the comforts of the western world, but with Africa on its doorstep. When she works late she can get sushi carry out...imagine the luxury! We talked of the highs and lows of living in the Pearl of Africa. And after laughing over wine, my beautiful friend jumped on her boda-boda and  waved goodbye and I was once again left thinking of all my friends that come and go in Uganda; most living a transient existence here.

Where do I want to be? Friends at home, I'm sure out of love, tell me not to come home (yet!!) due to the shortage of jobs ...they don't need more competition! So today, I have spent my free time on websites of British and International schools in Kenya and Cape Town. My 'plans' change from week to week, so I have just saved them on my "favourites" list...for now.

On hold...

Procrastinating...a subject for many, this time of year. In the time that I should be writing reports I have manged to tidy my desk (the first time I can see a bit of the table in quite some time!) and caught up with friends all over the world. I haven't written so many e-mails/cards/ read so many blogs, for months! I have also gone for 3 runs this week and watched quite a lot of sport...even the F1 on Sunday...fallen on hard times for sure! 
We teachers just want to be enjoying our holidays...so do the pupils!
My African Adventures are on hold until June 10th...when we break up from school.
So...I have stolen this idea from my friend, she won't mind..as she can then read it and procrastinate some more!!!
A waste of time...a bit of fun!

What experience has most shaped you and why?

I am sure when I am 92 years old I may be able to answer this question a bit better. I don't necessarily think that moving around or travelling the world shapes people, but the people you meet, do.  Friends, family and acquaintances who share experiences, stories and knowledge that you then carry on with you -passing on to others; stories, knowledge and experiences. The people around shape us, this is why we need to pick those people close to us so carefully.
If you had a whole day with no commitments what would you do?

Probably nothing and I would hate it-I like commitments. I have always been like that, even when I was younger I would need to know EXACTLY what time I would have to leave the swimming pool...before I got there! I need a running buddy to get me out in the morning or a lunch date with friends. I guess it depends where in the world I am, what I would love to do. A wonder round shops with Jo after a glass of wine at Ricks, where I will inevitably buy a VERY expensive pair of sunglasses from Harvey Nichols, is always a favourite!

What food or drink could you never give up?

Wine and pasta. I could be more detailed; jumbo prawns with ginger, or fresh basil and tomato. Honestly though-it would just be because I think I would starve-pasta and pesto is my staple....the wine goes without saying! My favourite would be a glass of Rioja from Cockburn street on a cold afternoon in Edinburgh!
If you could travel anywhere, where would that be and why?
I would love to be in the position where jetting home all the time is not a thought or an extravagant holiday. I have times where  I pine for Europe; my holiday last year to Italy set a benchmark...long lunches, art galleries, wine tours, cycling and lots of public affection... perfection! At the moment though I also have a massive urge to go to Alaska and BC, Canada. They may seem strange choices, but I think I am ready for Western civilization once more!

Who do you have a crush on?

Crushes are so important in life.  Most of my crushes are on my gorgeous friends who make perfect partners with my other gorgeous friends. I have met a couple of people recently who are perfect 'crush' material; handsome, smart, talented, funny, charming... don't live in Uganda! I also have a few celebrity crushes; Anderson Cooper being high on the list! I go to watch CNN at the gym especially!

When was the last time you cried?

Actually, last night. I am not sure why. I read a great article recently about tears being love and every time you cry you should think, 'this is because of love' . It could be love for a boy or a girl, yourself, contentment...it's love. Oh, I cried because I was ready a true story about how a circus elephant was executed by Jefferson in America for not performing her tricks. That made me very sad!
What recent event has made you sad?

Apart from the elephant!!???A couple of things both involving friendships. One; realising that I had upset a good friend of mine. She cried, we hugged, I made tea and hopefully she will understand my stupidity and run again with me soon.
The other was realising that the more chances I give a friend they will continue to disappoint me. This person should only be on the peripheral of my life; that has made me sad.

What recent event has made you angry?

This probably is not angry, but disgusted; that people will stand in-line for 36 hours for a new gadget that will be 'old' in a couple of months. Do they not have better things to do with their lives!!??They could go and try and clean up the oil spill for one.

What are you looking forward to?
At the moment, so much. Spending time with friends, relaxing on holiday and catching up with a friend that left Uganda,  family and friends in Scotland, upcoming wedding, visitors to Uganda next year, the next step in my career, tennis on Sunday, starting a new book tomorrow in bed...

I have now procrastinated for long enough...and made you do the same!