First Days of High-school Round 2

Whoohoo first two weeks of Czech high school just about done!! It's been quite the introduction to this new world of teaching in the Czech Republic, let alone teaching in general for me. But I really mean it when I say it's felt surprisingly natural to me and have felt only positive energy and excitement from the students so far.

As of now, I see every single student in the school (thats 300 of them) once a week. So that makes 15 different classes and lessons throughout the 5 days, not including some after school clubs that'll start up soon for both teachers and students. I've been to all of my classes at least once, some twice, and given a pretty basic introduction presentation about me, where I'm from, you know the kinda boring stuff haha. But even in doing that I've found some students to be so receptive and interested, asking questions and holding actual conversation on some topics. Of course, some classes find the English a bit more difficult to understand, so I've already learned to change the way I speak and explain things. But overall, I really don't think I could have a better introduction to this wildly different new world that I've never step foot into before.

Every day will look a bit different for me, with anywhere from 1-6 lessons a day. So some days I'll be done before noon and other days I'll likely be at school until 4PM. But I really don't mind that idea because that's what I'm here to do, right. Czech students rarely have after school clubs or reason to stay on campus much longer than they need to. So while proposing my own clubs or activities is exciting for some of them, it's also a really new idea to hang around school haha. I've always been one of those kids who has to stay late and wait for parents to come at 6ish, so I'm super familiar with this and hope I can be a reason for some kids to hang out a little longer :) My office is shared with 2 other English teachers and another colleague who doesn't speak English but we bond over a few French expressions or sounds of exhaustion when we rejoin in-between lessons haha. I'll add some pictures of the school (and my bulletin board lol):

There's been so many new lessons I'm learning and culture shock I'm experiencing when it comes to school here in the Czech Republic, and I'm only a couple weeks in. But maybe one of the greatest differences is the relationships between students and teachers. There are no filters or boundaries when it comes to what is discussed in class. Imagine a student bringing a bottle of Jagermeister and sitting it on her desk during my first lesson...I didn't even address it haha and the teacher didn't either?! "What are you doing this weekend" - "Getting drunk/blacking out/drinking at these 5 pubs". America could never. They also ask me if I wanna join? in the middle of class? i don't know it's so weird to try and figure out what is appropriate here because I just feel like most of this couldn't pass at home haha. I'm asked if I have a boyfriend, what my address is, what I'm doing on Friday...some unexpected things for sure. Some students are also pretty open about how they feel about me lol so I've gotten some secret admirers and some not-so-secret from the select 10 boys that exist in my school lol. Not gonna lie it's kinda flattering but also a bit weird considering teacher/student relationships are actually not that uncommon. Don't worry I will not be adding to the statistic, but I was warned by a coworker about this 50 year old P.E. teacher who has married 2 of his students... and is looking for his 3rd wife because the others failed. Seriously considering removing my students on social media, I've already gotten several DMs and wondering if I should create some separation lol

ANYWAYs. Another thing I'm experiencing is a type of mental exhaustion I don't think I've ever experienced. You might imagine it to be quite easy speaking simplified English and at the moment, only really talking about me and basic American facts. But doing this takes a certain type of intention and thought when you speak because every single word is being questioned if it's too complicated or not. And not to mention the pure change in speed of speaking. Again, you may not thing it's that big of a deal, but even with my mentor and other english-teacher colleagues the constant thought of how to communicate requires so much energy. I rarely feel like I'm speaking like myself, or as myself, saying realllyyy everything I want to - both in and out of class. I'm definitely getting more used to it, and I think my colleagues are getting more used to me too, but it's been a huge unexpected adjustment. When I get home I either want to be mute and not listen to any more speaking for the rest of the day, or I'm desperate to call a friend and speak normally haha. I think part of this too is the pure fact that all my colleagues are older than me so even when we speak it's not exactly the most relatable or casual topics, but I'm hoping when I start to get closer with students that'll change too. I don't know if that made any sense but it's definitely been a mental challenge I wasn't really expecting.

I'm also learning it's really uncommon here to bring your own lunch, but instead everyone buys it at the canteen and you pre-select your meal the day before. It's super cheap like $3 USD for lunch, but I was warned it really isn't great. And I've decided to take pictures of as many meals as possible as proof because I swear some of this is illegal. I will say it's not the WORST food I've ever had, but definitely different... I usually opt for the vegetable choice but even that isn't really what you'd expect. Every meal comes with a soup, which has been pretty nice, and every once in a while you'll catch a basket of fruit so I hop on the bananas so fast. Most meal options consist of pasta or rice, some slice of meat, and sauce. And if not that definitely a form of potato. And minimal seasoning. So just imagine obscure meat, some starch, and oddly thick sauce. If there's a second option it might be some type of chicken bake or fish actually (do not trust.) Now you probably understand why I choose the veg option haha. Those have been better but I'm starting to learn their definition of salad is random vegetables in mayo and sour cream. Better than other options but absolutely not a salad haha. Like I've definitely had worse food in my life, but it's just a little bit of entertainment everyday walking into the canteen haha.

The Fulbright group chat is our safe space to shit on the food we're all experiencing without being too obvious - here's what I've managed to capture so far without being rude lol:

My stomach is definitely still in an adjustment phase, but it's okay we'll get through it. It's also really customary to entirely clean your plate, and if you leave leftovers you'll get asked if you hated it or if you're feeling sick. To save myself from the awkwardness I've been force-feeding myself like everyday. Never consumed this many carbs in my life but the average 6-7miles of walking a day I think makes up for it a bit.

Anyways, lots more to see and learn when starting highschool over again but this time from a teacher's perspective! Still trying to convince myself I'm a teacher and have a certain level of superiority but I still 100% feel like a student there haha. I'll probably be starting some real lessons next week so wish me luck!!