I’d like to begin with some bad news, which is that I was given one month’s notice by my director on January 7th. I have a bit more than a month left, and will be leaving my school the end of February. This is mostly because that’s when the semester ends, and she doesn’t have to have to stress about a new teacher so close to the end. It also helps the kids, who will not have to deal with another new teacher learning the ropes so close to their final tests.
I had a feeling it was coming the night before, since that day I had had 2 more observations, by the head teacher and the director. It just wasn’t working out with some of my kids. I can get through the material but I have a hard time making such stuff fun to learn. The director even told me that, after most of my kids were taught by the head teacher (who does a great job), it’s tough to compare. On top of this, my voice is just too monotone and I’m too laid back to command the classroom without yelling. My humor is also too dry and sarcastic for young children to understand, and I can’t really change that. I’ve learned that if you want to be a fun teacher, you should give out candy. I’ve started to do this just to make the last month and a half a bit nicer. I will be spending the rest of my time trying to get the kids caught up in some subjects so that when the new teacher arrives he/she will not have to stress about being behind from the moment they started. I remember what it was like to start here just 3 and a half months ago and want to make it easier for this new person.
I have to say too that the head teacher has been very supportive of me the entire time I’ve been here. She kept telling the director that I’m not a teacher and she knew what she was getting when they hired me. She also thinks that by the time 6 months rolls around I would’ve been much better than I am today. Now we may never know, but it was very nice to have her on my side this whole time. The director also has a business to run and parents to please, so she not only has to look out for the kids but also make sure the school still makes money. I understand both of these things and am ok with them.
I’m a little disappointed about losing the job, but mostly because the money’s good and the rent’s free. I could apply at other private schools, but I think as long as I continue to teach elementary age students I will continue to have the same problems. I’m looking to get out of English teaching and into a different industry, but that will be my next post.
For now, I have a few things to worry about. I get my last full check February 10th, and then the next check will have quite a bit of money taken out of it. They paid my airfare on the way over and considered it a “loan” that would be repaid within 6 months of working here, but since I will only have been working for 4 months I’ll have to pay back about 1/3 of it (hopefully around $300). Then they take more fees out of the last check to cover extra bills and incidentals once you leave. I don’t know any of the logistics yet, since we get paid on the 10th of every month but I’m done the end of Feb, it’s unclear if I’ll still be able to stay in my apartment until I get the check or if they’ll give me an advance instead. I think it’s more likely I’ll get a cash advance and have to leave the apartment the beginning of March.
It’s a bit of a relief at this point, and I’m excited about other options now that I know there’s an end in site.
I told you in Twitter. I’m really sorry. I hope everything works OK.
José María Areta
January 16th, 2010