2 days a week my students have BSS, otherwise known as Brazilian social studies in Portuguese. While my 15 students who are either part Brazilian or full-on Brazilian attend this, I teach my 7 remaining international students ISS (international social studies). Early the in the year my teaching partner and I decided that we were going to present the same content in ISS as was presented in BSS. The reason for this was 1. neither of us know much about our home and 2. we feel it's important for all of us: our students and ourselves to have a better understanding of our new home and a glimpse into the culture and people of the city.
While in an attempt to teach my ISS students more about Brasilia's history, I was googling for images of Brasilia being built. Gotta love Google. I ran across this video and thought okay, so not really for my class but definitely for those of us living in Brasilia and those of you wanting to get a little taste of what the city looks like, this 1960s video with the interestante music gives you a glimpse.
The glimpse shows you the larger governmental structures, some of the neighborhoods which are organized by blocks and then shopping or restaurantes inbetween and then a bus station. It's what Brasilia started as and maybe how a little view into the culture of the city now. So no, the video's music doesn't play in my head when walking to school but to realize that Brasila's turning 50 in 2010 and I'm noticing the things that are showing their 50 year old age. I'm noticing that sidewalks and buildings are being replaced or remodeled. I'm noticing that some of the others aren't and seeing this showed me what it was like when it's new.
Another place for Maz and others is my friends, Mark and Vanessa's blog. Mark has a great post about Brasilia that you can check out. For more info, again for Maz and others, check out good ole Wikipedia's page. Hope you learned a little about my new home because you my ISS friends will have a quiz sometime soon. Beijos!
Showing posts with label Brasilia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brasilia. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Inquiring Minds Want to Know!
Lately I've had quite a few questions about my move, all the logistics and details so here's a little Q & A that should hopefully help to satisfy inquiring minds.
Big Pictures
Where'd you get the idea to move to Brazil? How'd you get a job there?
In November I found out my literacy coach position in Kaneland was being eliminated. For many of you who were around me, you know I was devastated. I felt being a lit coach was truly my calling. It was a wonderful balance of working with children and working with adults. But alas, things change, times change and I needed to use this change, although not my choice, to figure out what was best for me.
Fast forward to winter break '09 and one of my best friends, Andrea, was home visiting from Brazil. We had a heart-to-heart chat over ice cream (our usual) and that's when the seed was planted. She mentioned that her school would have a 3rd grade vacancy. She asked if she could put my name in as a possibility.
About a month later, I received an email from the Headmaster and Principal from Andrea's school (American School of Brasilia aka EAB) asking if I would like to interview with them. I had decided by that time, being back in a classroom was best for me, so, I had a phone interview with the two of them. I've been on lots of interview teams over the years and this interview was unlike any other I've ever had. They asked me not the usual knowledge level questions, but really tried to see if my teaching philosphies matched those of EAB. It went great!
A few days later, they asked if I'd be willing to meet in Waterloo, IA just before the University of Northern Iowa International Teaching fair began. So, I took a personal day, drove all the way on a frigid January day 5 hours there. I went out to dinner with the Headmaster and High School Principal. Cajun. We had alligator and jambalaya, wine and great conversations. I felt both were wonderfully honest about their own experiences and where EAB is right now. I so appreciated the honesty but also felt that the direction they're going, what they want to do for children is what I want to do. So, it was a match. A week later, I emailed and it became official!
Why Brasilia?
When Andrea planted the seed I did consider other places as well but Brasilia and EAB have things that other schools couldn't offer.
Here are a few:
Andrea - best friend, old roommate, built-in support
EAB's student population - truly international; mostly Brazilian but many nationalities represented
EAB's support of all staff's children - any staff member's child may attend EAB at no-cost, most international schools only allow teachers' children to attend for free
EAB's philosophies - where they're going is what I believe in
3rd grade - been there, done that so at least something will be familiar
Portugese - I really want to learn the language so having weekly lessons and living there will help push me to reach that goal
Why not?
How long will you be there?
At least 2 years and then we'll see. Year 2 will be wonderful! It always takes at least 1 year after you move to feel settled and at least one year in a new job to feel like you know what you're doing. How can I pass that up that feeling?
Big Pictures
Where'd you get the idea to move to Brazil? How'd you get a job there?
In November I found out my literacy coach position in Kaneland was being eliminated. For many of you who were around me, you know I was devastated. I felt being a lit coach was truly my calling. It was a wonderful balance of working with children and working with adults. But alas, things change, times change and I needed to use this change, although not my choice, to figure out what was best for me.
Fast forward to winter break '09 and one of my best friends, Andrea, was home visiting from Brazil. We had a heart-to-heart chat over ice cream (our usual) and that's when the seed was planted. She mentioned that her school would have a 3rd grade vacancy. She asked if she could put my name in as a possibility.
About a month later, I received an email from the Headmaster and Principal from Andrea's school (American School of Brasilia aka EAB) asking if I would like to interview with them. I had decided by that time, being back in a classroom was best for me, so, I had a phone interview with the two of them. I've been on lots of interview teams over the years and this interview was unlike any other I've ever had. They asked me not the usual knowledge level questions, but really tried to see if my teaching philosphies matched those of EAB. It went great!
A few days later, they asked if I'd be willing to meet in Waterloo, IA just before the University of Northern Iowa International Teaching fair began. So, I took a personal day, drove all the way on a frigid January day 5 hours there. I went out to dinner with the Headmaster and High School Principal. Cajun. We had alligator and jambalaya, wine and great conversations. I felt both were wonderfully honest about their own experiences and where EAB is right now. I so appreciated the honesty but also felt that the direction they're going, what they want to do for children is what I want to do. So, it was a match. A week later, I emailed and it became official!
Why Brasilia?
When Andrea planted the seed I did consider other places as well but Brasilia and EAB have things that other schools couldn't offer.
Here are a few:
Andrea - best friend, old roommate, built-in support
EAB's student population - truly international; mostly Brazilian but many nationalities represented
EAB's support of all staff's children - any staff member's child may attend EAB at no-cost, most international schools only allow teachers' children to attend for free
EAB's philosophies - where they're going is what I believe in
3rd grade - been there, done that so at least something will be familiar
Portugese - I really want to learn the language so having weekly lessons and living there will help push me to reach that goal
Why not?
How long will you be there?
At least 2 years and then we'll see. Year 2 will be wonderful! It always takes at least 1 year after you move to feel settled and at least one year in a new job to feel like you know what you're doing. How can I pass that up that feeling?
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