Constant Transitioning. If it makes me feel out of sorts, how are my students feeling?

Beste Collega,

It seems to happen earlier and earlier every year. That dreaded time when colleagues and friends start talking about next school year and whether they are staying or going. Many International schools offer a bonus for early acknowledgement of discontinuation of contract. And although I should be a pro at goodbyes and transition by now; it seems to be getting harder and harder to not be so emotionally affected. I have been wondering why, especially in this hi-tech world where Skype, facetime, whatsapp and other forms of staying connected is at your fingertips.

 Here are my thoughts as to why I am struggling. It is October, most of us have had the first holiday or break. The school year itself is in full swing and everything is going the way it always goes. Except for that one colleague that moved this summer, or that great student who graduated last May, them not being here has sunk in and it's an unsettling feeling. At the same time we are busy getting to know new colleagues and students and we are trying to understand that new principal or department chair. This is the part that I think some of us struggle with; we are still grieving that everyday friendship that is no longer just a walk down the hallway. And at the same time we are being brave and welcoming a new person who we seem to be connecting with. And just as I get ready to take a deep breath and say “ I’m okay, I’m ready to transition into this new school year, I can handle the changes”, I get hit by the fact that someone else has just decided that it is time for them to move on in June or even December. Wow! Feelings of imbalance and upheaval are no longer just for the summertime or even at the end of the calendar year; no, they now happen all the time. I am constantly transitioning and it makes me feel off kilter; and I am an adult who has lived this life for a long time.

 This makes me wonder how my students are doing? Not only are they dealing with the physiological and psychological changes that any teen goes through; they have this added challenge of finding some “calm” in a constantly changing setting. It’s October, they have only just had 2 months to create a new “normal” since their friends have left, 8 weeks to get an understanding of this new teacher, 56 days to be in a new grade with all the academic expectations that come with that. A very short time to reach out and meet someone new and yikes “goodbye season” is already knocking at the door. What happened to just being and savouring the moment.

 I guess here is where I feel as the TCK Teacher that my focus lies; awareness amongst us all. That many of us are finding this transition cycle challenging and will continue to do so because of the lifestyle choices that we have made. To create room to breathe and speak and share our stories.  To acknowledge that the pace of International schools, at times, is not conducive to living in the moment. To question whether the strong drive for Academics is overshadowing the need for more socio-emotional support for our International students and teachers? To start a conversation amongst ourselves where we celebrate the wonderful things that make up an International lifestyle and where we come up with ways to address and support the not so wonderful ones.

I look forward to talking with you - athomeinwanderlust@gmail.com or leave me a comment.

Until then, be patient with yourself, your family, your students and your colleagues; it’s a tricky time of school year!

It is the first Monday of the 2016-2017 school year

Beste Collega's,  I want to welcome you to a new International school year.  New years are good in my opinion as this is a chance for new beginnings, new traditions, new habits, new plans, new actions, you name it, it's possible! 

 I have worked hard on this blog and I hope that it will grow into the tool that I envision it to be. A toolkit for all of us as International educators to share ideas, tips, tricks and activities, as well as articles and thoughts in order for us to support the kids in our classes and hallways. 

 I also hope that it will support you; the International Educator, because you are part of this cycle of transitions. You say many hello's and just as many goodbye's. They shape you and in turn it shapes your classroom. May this be a place where you find recognition, knowledge and camaraderie. 

I look forward to hearing all about it. Happy Travels. Sincerely, Ilse

Poetry can be used in any subject (SA, MA) - "Where I'm From" to give students and teachers insight into each others cultural being

While taking the Culturally Relevant Teaching Course through the University of Northern Iowa this Spring of 2016; I was introduced to the following activity - Poetry writing. It was such a meaningful experience to myself as a TCK and also hearing from my peers sharing their cultural backgrounds. Below is the assignment with some examples as in how to get started. I found that once I started my "Where I'm From poem, I used the 7 areas as guides and then things just fell into place.

Happy writing, happy sharing and you might want to grab some tissues =).

Where I’m From: Inviting Student Lives Into the Classroom

Follow the format provided below to create an original, “Where I’m From” Poem

1. Items found around your home:  bobby pins, stacks of newspapers, coupons

2. Items found in your yard: broken rakes, dog bones, hoses coiled like green snakes (comparisons are good to use)

3. Items found in their neighborhood: the corner grocery, Mr. Tate’s beat up Ford Fairlane, the “home base” plum tree.

4. Names of relatives, especially ones that link you to the past: Uncle Einar and Aunt Eva, Claude, the Christensen branch.

5. Sayings: “If I’ve told you once . . .”

6. Names of foods and dishes that recall family gatherings: lude fish or tamales or black eyed peas.

7. Names of Places they keep their childhood memories: Diaries, boxes, underwear drawers, inside the family bible.

And here is a sample poem written by George Ella Lyon that we were given in the course to guide us

Where I’m From

George Ella Lyon

I am from clothespins,

from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.

I am from the dirt under the back porch.

(Black, glistening

it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush,

The Dutch Elm

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from fudge and eyeglasses,

from Imogene and Alafair.

I am from the know-it-alls

And the pass-it-ons,

from perk up and pipe down.

I’m from He restoreth my soul

with a cottonball lamb

and ten verses I can say myself.

I’m from Artemus and Billie’s Branch,

fried corn and strong coffee.

From the finger my grandfather lost

To the auger

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures,

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments - -

snapped before I budded - -

leaf-fall from the family tree.

Below in Orange is a poem that I wrote and that I am going to use with my students. As I was thinking of how else I could use the power of the where I am from poem. I thought of all the things that make you who you are and you could if you wanted to write a poem about all of them ( as an athlete, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a mother, an artist, a musician, as a student, as a girl/boy, as a human being, etc). I am going to ask my students to pick a "topic" and write on that to give me some insight into who they are.
As a teacher I am from

Indonesia, Holland and Botswana. Where my parents were born and raised and where I started my International journey.

I am from Het Schrijverke, The NIS, The Emmaschool, Het Loo, AES, The HALO and Springfield College. Schools that gave me a Dutch foundation and an American degree in K-12 Physical Education.

I am from musicals, choir, alto saxophone and school spirit. From babysitting, to head lifeguard and swim instructor, from committees and yes I can help, anything to promote school spirit and pride.  I am from morning practice and afternoon drylands, from volleyball court to field hockey pitch. I am from MVP and most inspirational athlete, from gold medals and school records. I am from big fish in a small pond and most athletic senior superlative, to non-starter, bench warmer, 50 meter pool and small fish in a large pond.

I am from together in teamwork and learning from others. From trying and trying, sometimes too much. Of focus on the journey, the memories, the growth. Instead of the grade, that all consuming number that drives me mad. And in my opinion often gets in the way of the real learning.

I am from what you see is what you get and always the benefit of the doubt. I am all about second chances even if it breaks my heart. I am from accountability and honesty and in the end, it’s up to you.

I am from song and dance and we are all in this together. From I grew up like you but we are all different, which we should celebrate and it is in my eyes what makes this journey special. I am from start of the year butterflies and tears at the end, no matter how often I go through hello’s and goodbye’s. I am from caring and sharing and lots of passion. Of you never know when you are making a memory, so be open to new experiences no matter how challenging, reach out and meet someone new, you never know you might be friends for life, be patient and kind because others might not have yet figured out how to walk this international road. But I am here, and I want to travel with you because you matter and our connections make the world a smaller and more enjoyable place.

Poetry can be used in any subject (SA, MA) - "Where I'm From" to give students and teachers insight into each others cultural being

While taking the Culturally Relevant Teaching Course through the University of Northern Iowa this Spring of 2016; I was introduced to the following activity - Poetry writing. It was such a meaningful experience to myself as a TCK and also hearing from my peers sharing their cultural backgrounds. Below is the assignment with some examples as in how to get started. I found that once I started my "Where I'm From poem, I used the 7 areas as guides and then things just fell into place.

Happy writing, happy sharing and you might want to grab some tissues =).

Where I’m From: Inviting Student Lives Into the Classroom

Follow the format provided below to create an original, “Where I’m From” Poem

1. Items found around your home:  bobby pins, stacks of newspapers, coupons

2. Items found in your yard: broken rakes, dog bones, hoses coiled like green snakes (comparisons are good to use)

3. Items found in their neighborhood: the corner grocery, Mr. Tate’s beat up Ford Fairlane, the “home base” plum tree.

4. Names of relatives, especially ones that link you to the past: Uncle Einar and Aunt Eva, Claude, the Christensen branch.

5. Sayings: “If I’ve told you once . . .”

6. Names of foods and dishes that recall family gatherings: lude fish or tamales or black eyed peas.

7. Names of Places they keep their childhood memories: Diaries, boxes, underwear drawers, inside the family bible.

And here is a sample poem written by George Ella Lyon that we were given in the course to guide us

Below in Orange is a poem that I wrote and that I am going to use with my students. As I was thinking of how else I could use the power of the where I am from poem. I thought of all the things that make you who you are and you could if you wanted to write a poem about all of them ( as an athlete, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a mother, an artist, a musician, as a student, as a girl/boy, as a human being, etc). I am going to ask my students to pick a "topic" and write on that to give me some insight into who they are.

Where I’m From

George Ella Lyon

I am from clothespins,

from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.

I am from the dirt under the back porch.

(Black, glistening

it tasted like beets.)

I am from the forsythia bush,

The Dutch Elm

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from fudge and eyeglasses,

from Imogene and Alafair.

I am from the know-it-alls

And the pass-it-ons,

from perk up and pipe down.

I’m from He restoreth my soul

with a cottonball lamb

and ten verses I can say myself.

I’m from Artemus and Billie’s Branch,

fried corn and strong coffee.

From the finger my grandfather lost

To the auger

the eye my father shut to keep his sight.

Under my bed was a dress box

spilling old pictures,

a sift of lost faces

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments - -

snapped before I budded - -

leaf-fall from the family tree.

As a teacher I am from

Indonesia, Holland and Botswana. Where my parents were born and raised and where I started my International journey.

I am from Het Schrijverke, The NIS, The Emmaschool, Het Loo, AES, The HALO and Springfield College. Schools that gave me a Dutch foundation and an American degree in K-12 Physical Education.

I am from musicals, choir, alto saxophone and school spirit. From babysitting, to head lifeguard and swim instructor, from committees and yes I can help, anything to promote school spirit and pride.  I am from morning practice and afternoon drylands, from volleyball court to field hockey pitch. I am from MVP and most inspirational athlete, from gold medals and school records. I am from big fish in a small pond and most athletic senior superlative, to non-starter, bench warmer, 50 meter pool and small fish in a large pond.

I am from together in teamwork and learning from others. From trying and trying, sometimes too much. Of focus on the journey, the memories, the growth. Instead of the grade, that all consuming number that drives me mad. And in my opinion often gets in the way of the real learning.

I am from what you see is what you get and always the benefit of the doubt. I am all about second chances even if it breaks my heart. I am from accountability and honesty and in the end, it’s up to you.

I am from song and dance and we are all in this together. From I grew up like you but we are all different, which we should celebrate and it is in my eyes what makes this journey special. I am from start of the year butterflies and tears at the end, no matter how often I go through hello’s and goodbye’s. I am from caring and sharing and lots of passion. Of you never know when you are making a memory, so be open to new experiences no matter how challenging, reach out and meet someone new, you never know you might be friends for life, be patient and kind because others might not have yet figured out how to walk this international road. But I am here, and I want to travel with you because you matter and our connections make the world a smaller and more enjoyable place.

Bingo activity (SA)- can be used with any topic, in any classroom

I created this get to know you Bingo for my advisory group; however this could be used in any setting and you could add many more statements in order to have students find out things about the people in their class. 

Each student gets a slip of paper with this bingo on it and a pencil. Have them go around the class and find someone who can answer yes to the statement. Have them talk and share about the statement. Make sure they write the students name down. It is okay to have more than one student for each statement, this helps to create more awareness and shows that you are actually not alone. 

Get to know you BINGO…….find someone who….

Moved house this summer	Struggles with jetlag	Has been at this school longer than 3 years	Has siblings
Can name 5 or more airlines	Is an only child	Speaks 2 or more languages fluently	Is new to this school
Has parents from different cultures	Likes Airplane food	You do not really know	Knows how to use chopsticks

Other statements:

 - Eats rice with a spoon

 - When travelling prefers using the whole in the ground toilet instead of a "sit down" toilet

 - Prefers warm water over ice water

 - Has never seen snow

- Does not know how to swim

- Parents travel for work all the time

Other types of Bingo:

- Transition bingo - focusing on moving on, saying goodbye, etc

- Cultural bingo - put names of international holidays, customs, foods, etc

- Etiquette bingo - slurps food to show cook it is enjoyable, gets told off for slurping food because it is not polite, shakes hands upon meeting someone, does not make physical contact because it is not polite, etc.

Activity (SA) - Conversation starters

You could use this as a conversation starter, for a writing assignment, for art work, writing music,  etc...

HOME?

Connecting:

How has this life shaped you:

World Map Mural Activity (SA)

Activity: - Map on the wall

A visual of where everyone in the class is from.

Pick one wall in the classroom and paint, or stick, or draw a world map.

Then have students write their name down in:

1. all the countries that they have lived
2. the country they were born in
3. the country they go to for the summer
4. the country they lived the longest.

If you have more than 1 class in your classroom. Give each class a color that they write their name with. Or if you want to use the above statements give each statement or question a color. Or give each student their own color. Make sure to create a legend somewhere on the wall so that everyone coming into the classroom knows what the colours stand for.