Terms and Conditions

If you have every downloaded or purchased just about anything you have come across the dreaded "Terms and Conditions". We all check the box that says we agree blah blah blah but we never read it. Well I sat down and read the terms and conditions from my new handbook and a few stood out.

DON'T DO IT

Please don't feed any cats you find on campus...really don't feed the cats but what about the dogs.
We are a GUM FREE CAMPUS...so you saying I can't chew gum at all, not even on my break.
Please don't accept gifts over 15KD ($55.00). Teachers may accept small gifts, chocolates, flowers, etc. but are not permitted to accept expensive gift... by small gifts, do you mean small in size or price. What if they get me something large but was on sale? I can't stop a parent from getting me a small pair of Chanel earrings because I taught their child how to read and add. I have already been offered to go shopping with a couple of parents. I tried to turn them down but they insisted, I didn't want to be rude.
Don't give test copies to students in return for financial benefits...the kids are richer than the teachers and will make sure we are well aware of that fact. What I look like giving my 3rd graders a printout of an alphabet chart in exchange for a few bucks? Guess that rule applies to high school teachers.

The other terms and conditions were typical rules to go by when working with students but those listed above just had to be addressed.

I'm still working on my "First Week of School" posting. I hope this one tides you over until then.

K.L.

First day of school

It's Sunday September 16th and I'm up at 4:00 A.M. preparing for my first day of school. You read that correct, Sunday. Their work week is Sun through Thurs. Things shut down on Friday and Saturday.
Now it's not like I've never taught before but I'm in another country with a different set of rules and regulations.
In essence, I'm teaching the same type of class I taught in America for three years but their definition of low function is a little bit different from ours. I didn't get a chance to see their files but I can only imagine what I will see in just a few hours. 

Finally, I have arrived in Kuwait!!!

WOW, this long process is 99% over. Yes I said 99% because now I have issue with my NOC but more on that later.
My first impression of the country, other than the stereotypical thoughts, is it's nicer than I expected. Yes it's hot, windy, and extremely busy here. I didn't expect for so much to be going on at all hours of the night and day.

 I flew Etihad Airlines. If you ever get to fly to the Middle East you MUST fly with them. Nicest flight ever and the First and Business Class Pods are NICE!!!!

 This is the view from my apartment. I don't have any curtains yet so all of the sunlight is getting in. We are living far away from the city center and Dasman, so it seems no matter where I live I'm a suburban girl.

 The picture above is my view from work. The school is right across the street from the Gulf. That's an added bonus.

My living quarters are decent but lack that home feeling, nothing a trip to the supermarket can't fix.

 The classrooms in my building are very similar to typical American classes, they are just missing the technology we take for granted. I walked in and the first thing I noticed was the one computer on my desk and no projector. The projector was 80% of my teaching in American since we didn't have textbooks I would just go to Google and show the kids what I was talking about.  

My class is similar to the class I taught in America. It's a self-contained low level class. I currently have 5 students on my roll, more are expected to come as the week goes on. I'm learning that no matter where you go parents will register their children when they feel like it.

The school is a mixture of a few old buildings with newer ones connected.