tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.comments2023-07-03T02:45:34.164-07:00My Saga as it unfolds and I move my family to the next chapter...Alaska!teacherinAlaskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-70690617796704957642011-12-04T15:55:37.827-08:002011-12-04T15:55:37.827-08:00That was Beautiful!That was Beautiful!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-7075975547001942332011-11-07T21:38:21.695-08:002011-11-07T21:38:21.695-08:00From speaking with colleagues still in the UAE I k...From speaking with colleagues still in the UAE I know that I would be unhappy if I was still there, most teachers left at my school (which was combined with a boys school) are now teaching boys and they are burnt and exhausted at the end of the day. I know I would be super stressed and exhausted -teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-24759139411890295262011-11-07T21:37:26.078-08:002011-11-07T21:37:26.078-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-30230071412898208472011-11-07T21:35:24.733-08:002011-11-07T21:35:24.733-08:00Essentially I knew that Alaska hires sight unseen ...Essentially I knew that Alaska hires sight unseen after researching as around 80% of the teaching force comes from the lower 48 so I put an app in both with Juneau and Anchorage public schools. I went through a screening interview while still in the UAE and then I was up for grabs by principals. I think the special education background helped a little. But essentially I had around 5 phone interviews with 5 different schools and the one position that felt and seemed exactly right was the one I got.teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-74357285105980139812011-10-21T22:06:22.417-07:002011-10-21T22:06:22.417-07:00Congrads...glad u did what was best for your famil...Congrads...glad u did what was best for your family. Very interested in how this move works...keep us all posted. This reform is falling apart and you moved at a good time. The Arabic teachers all know they are leaving next year and they quit day one.<br /><br />Where did you find out about this new position?Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275421526588363943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-62930442124916673202011-03-29T04:32:10.383-07:002011-03-29T04:32:10.383-07:00What an awesome post! I will be joining you in Aug...What an awesome post! I will be joining you in August. You give some great specifics about the reform. What you say in regards to bilingual programs is 100% on the mark. In order to be completely bilingual, our students also need to be biliterate (i.e. support in the home language as well), something we can't seem to understand here in the states. Keep up the awesome work!Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09559867436420382865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-29047039347024163702011-03-19T20:46:04.318-07:002011-03-19T20:46:04.318-07:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AphKUK8twghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AphKUK8twgMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00082745419410738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-59194180594601583812011-03-11T03:44:25.219-08:002011-03-11T03:44:25.219-08:00keep plugging along- your work is amazing. i doubt...keep plugging along- your work is amazing. i doubt myself constantly when i look at what we are expected to accomplish in writing. then i think about how far we have already led these children from the beginning of the year. it's important to keep the end in mind, but it's also vital to our own strength to recognize the journey. thank you for sharing and remember we're all in this together! (a fellow LT)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-69555118928295105182011-03-11T01:38:15.079-08:002011-03-11T01:38:15.079-08:00Hang in there lady! Your blog made me tear up. W...Hang in there lady! Your blog made me tear up. We are not only good teachers, we're damn good teachers! Your pictures show learning! Sending love and positive vibes!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728496538935418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-61516619081028530452011-02-07T09:10:52.550-08:002011-02-07T09:10:52.550-08:00Thanks for reading! I think there is a large port...Thanks for reading! I think there is a large portion of us right in the middle...lots of experiences we can complain about; but just enough to make it worth while. We love what we are doing in the classroom but we are happy to have a good complaining session over wine one evening. In the long run I know my school isn't perfect but it isn't by far the worst situation. I have had days that I have thought if my days were always like this I couldn't do it, but fortunately I just have more good days then bad and isn't that how teaching is? We hit a lot of walls in this profession... but today I had a girl that at the beginning of the year had no phonemic awareness read a 55 word story to me with only 2 errors and she has no idea why I was crying and smiling at the same time.teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-16909850719352748242011-01-31T09:38:15.630-08:002011-01-31T09:38:15.630-08:00I really appreciate your post detailing the real i...I really appreciate your post detailing the real issues you are experiencing with UAE culture. Many bloggers (who've gone home early, had negative experiences, etc) don't take the time to blog what they're going through psychologically in a clear and succinct way. No thoughtful review of what's actually not working makes a blog of less value for those of us who are coming along after you. <br /><br />Your blog, especially this post, has been quite the opposite. Even the less savoury aspects of your experience are written in a way that helps newer teachers visualise what life could be like once we get to Abu Dhabi. So thanks for taking the time to create this post!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00082745419410738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-69473842540100893202011-01-21T22:49:19.165-08:002011-01-21T22:49:19.165-08:00I hope it will happen! We won't give up becau...I hope it will happen! We won't give up because I don't want to have him in diapers much longer they are expensive! I am thinking that some of the cars at this dealership are abandoned cars from the banks so that is the plan to find a pretty much new car still under warranty for around 5000-7000 off...teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-70491422449616814052011-01-20T23:47:39.822-08:002011-01-20T23:47:39.822-08:00Don't stress about the potty training. It wil...Don't stress about the potty training. It will happen no Inshallah on that one). The minute it stops being something YOU want, he'll do it himself. It has to be his decision. I couldn't agree more about the lack of professionalism (and how about plain old humanity and responsibility) regarding the cars. I myself am curious to know what the banks are doing with those abandoned cars, I'd buy one of those for a deal! Thanks for the sharing, I enjoyed the blog!Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728496538935418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-13385295585652976342010-12-25T11:01:11.387-08:002010-12-25T11:01:11.387-08:00Good luck with your interview, I am sure you will ...Good luck with your interview, I am sure you will get it and Happy Holidays to you as well! I have since used Ghee for frying and cooking and love it actually! I enjoy the fact that there are so many exotic spices here; although can find it funny that at times I can't find the simple spices from home...teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-3460858051059561192010-12-24T21:30:09.295-08:002010-12-24T21:30:09.295-08:00Hey - I've been reading your blog off and on s...Hey - I've been reading your blog off and on since you went to the UAE. I really appreciate your updates while I make my plans and preparations to interview and (I hope!) travel to Abu Dhabi this summer to teach. Just wanted to let you know (as I'm sure you already do) that ghee is clarified butter, and it's WAY easier to buy than make yourself! That's one of the many good things about living in the Middle East - Middle Eastern ingredients. <br /><br />Happy Christmas!Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00082745419410738842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-8963841559497440562010-11-11T21:30:13.440-08:002010-11-11T21:30:13.440-08:00Leah, email me!
baker_p@aps.edu don't know if ...Leah, email me!<br />baker_p@aps.edu don't know if you need more than that...schoolmarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07984802316785186395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-9452851273319812762010-11-11T21:12:47.758-08:002010-11-11T21:12:47.758-08:00I am jealous. You are having more fun than me!
I h...I am jealous. You are having more fun than me!<br />I have been reading all your posts and this is the first time I think I figured out how to email you!<br />I am just here doing a FBA on a kid in my class.<br />It is an ISP class. No more Truman! Saw Jojolla at the west mesa pool with his class and me with mine.schoolmarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07984802316785186395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-91363315407957070382010-09-26T08:12:53.968-07:002010-09-26T08:12:53.968-07:00Dear Leah,
I am so thrilled to be reading your ver...Dear Leah,<br />I am so thrilled to be reading your very interesting blog. Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful opportunity for you and your family! By the way, I am usually very lazy at sharing comments on FB but love to read what everyone else is up to. As it is right now, you are on the top of my reading list!!!!<br /><br />I am so amazed at how Americanized the apartment is. Do you have all the amenities? I understand that the maid's quarters will be a man cave. Your boys will enjoy that. I am sure that term would be misunderstood by the local population. Do you refer to them as Saudi's?<br /><br />I look forward to reading your blogs. My youngest granddaughter is in 4th grade so I do intend to share it with her. The pictures are wonderful. Fortunately I can access all of it on my phone so sharing is much easier.<br /><br />Have a good week and take care. I am sure the adjustment will take some time. My thoughts are with you and your family! <br /><br />StarrAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16084598780586322674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-28654820585180071412010-09-09T23:28:09.918-07:002010-09-09T23:28:09.918-07:00@Mom everyone is friendly, didn't stop for dir...@Mom everyone is friendly, didn't stop for directions, just kept driving in the direction of the happy stars that marked our schools on the map until we found them, love modern technology lets you drive around like an idiot forever and avoid asking directions lol, but to exemplify how nice people are and Emirati man asked to cut in front at the megamart last night to pay for some gum and allowed him to, so he bought gavin some gum too, he's a little young but the thought put a smile on my face and really made my day, of course i had to give gavin some gum and gavin even said thank you, but we have met nothing but hospitality thus so far in our journey...@Joe, yea we saw that, also heard that the livingroom store is awesome too for furniture here in al ain...teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-25265778290984078332010-09-09T13:14:42.692-07:002010-09-09T13:14:42.692-07:00another hotel...like the BR? hope AA serves you w...another hotel...like the BR? hope AA serves you well and you get the furnishing. try magamart in the AA mall...ask for David...free shipping. they have good prices on TV's. the store is just above the ice rink. the prices on stove, refrigerator, washers are same as Co-Op in AD...TV's were the better deal in AA.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275421526588363943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-307263714158183962010-09-09T12:38:15.653-07:002010-09-09T12:38:15.653-07:00So you stopped and asked people for directions alo...So you stopped and asked people for directions along the way? what were the people like to you asking? were they socialble at all? what are the people like that you have met? are they friendly?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15470739765653954407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-39829261995726902492010-09-08T10:16:19.620-07:002010-09-08T10:16:19.620-07:00Thanks :) Soon you will also be overflowing with ...Thanks :) Soon you will also be overflowing with information lol...teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-55590007509622331142010-09-08T07:14:47.706-07:002010-09-08T07:14:47.706-07:00What a great blog entry, Leah! You are full of in...What a great blog entry, Leah! You are full of information, and I like the way you word things. :)Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16912023036026868047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-20054486800053206192010-09-02T19:35:57.539-07:002010-09-02T19:35:57.539-07:00@Susan, I got my abaya at Carrefour, only 68 dirha...@Susan, I got my abaya at Carrefour, only 68 dirhams but it isn't very quality made and won't last forever. @Mom, we don't have to wear them but they are so much easier than thinking of what to wear and I will also be more respected by my students. I am not going to be wearing the headcover (called a shayla), I will probably mixing it up with some western wear and an abaya on occasion, I will get a feel for the school and the principal first. They are really comfortable and I feel pretty in them :) They come in many more colors and styles and I feel I may end up with an abaya addiction lol...teacherinAlaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00308820685666029294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436405377673889173.post-18100832572116303612010-09-02T06:23:06.624-07:002010-09-02T06:23:06.624-07:00wonderful! thanks for keeping us up to date and in...wonderful! thanks for keeping us up to date and in a way living it through you!spirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17168997429318722407noreply@blogger.com