My first day

My first day of teaching was a total and complete bust. Let me begin by saying that normally, on Mondays, I teach 3 classes in the afternoon at the Terres Blanches school. On Friday, when the principal called me to tell me my schedule for this week, she said that I would only get to teach one of the classes (the last one) today since the other 2 would be at the movies for God knows what reason. Anyway, I prepared for hours and days before today so as to be ready for whatever the class threw at me. I arrived very early to the school (about 45 minutes early) because the train from Montpellier to Frontignan is very infrequent and I would have been right on time otherwise which would have made me really nervous.

Anyway, after waiting around 45 minutes, I finally went in the school to find the principal so she could take me to the class and at the very least, introduce me to the teacher that I had never met. While waiting for the class time to begin (another 15 minutes), I sat outside in the chilly hallway because for whatever reason, I couldn't wait in the principal's office another 15 minutes for recess to end. Finally, class time came and we went up to the classroom. It was empty. Now, the principal had figured out that the class had gone somewhere offsite for some activity that I didn't catch and she assumed that they would be back in time. My class was supposed to be from 3:45 to 4:30pm. At about 4pm, we went back to the class and it was still empty. Finally, she had enough sense to ask one of the surrounding teachers what time my teacher and class would return. He said normally they return around 4:45pm. How nice! So, then the principal said that because of insurance reasons, I was not to be allowed off campus until my designated teaching time and that I had to stay around until 4:30pm even though that meant 25 minutes of just sitting in her office with her completely ignoring me. Finally after about 4 minutes of me just sitting there since she would only answer my questions with short, inconclusive sentences, she said I could go.

Now, when leaving, I asked if she was sure that they would be ready for me on Thursday morning at my return, and she said, well, they should be. How very, very warm and inviting, huh? Meanwhile, she at least apologized for me coming for absolutely nothing but said that it wasn't her fault and she would try and regulate it with the teacher. I said, yeah, that would be nice since I don't want to travel all the way out here (travel plus walking time is about an hour) for absolutely nothing again! As I was leaving, I asked if I was to come to her office on Thursday so she could at the very least, walk me to the classroom. She acted like it was a huge inconvenience but yes, she would do that. I mean, damn! I guess I was just too demanding. It's not like they ever gave me a tour of this school or a map or any idea of where to go.

In all, I was very disappointed in the day since I did nothing but feel really uncomfortable and unwelcome in this school. Hopefully, tomorrow, after a full day of teaching 5 classes at my other school, I will be in better spirits and I can at least post something in a positive light.

Your British word lesson of the day: tea = dinner. Tea is also used in reference to the actual drink. In a sentence: I will come over this evening but I won't stay for tea. I wouldn't want to intrude.