In July and August, twenty-five interns (24 Americans and 1 Brit) descended on our city to help us teach hundreds of junior high and high school students English on their summer holidays. We had four teaching locations, and I supervised six interns at one of them. My primary job was to be on call in case of emergencies. I was more useful when these emergencies involved the interns, as in when they got sick and I subbed or when they had a million questions. I was less useful when the emergencies involved students, as in when a 16-year-old bullied the principal's 10-ish-year-old son, and my Arabic could not cajole him out of his pout. We informed the principal in fear and trembling, but "adi," normal.
Yeah, fortunately for us, it was also adi when one boy fell off the corrugated tin assembly area roof (after trying to retrieve a ball) and cut himself, distributing blood freely. And when another big boy pulled a box cutter on a little boy and nicked him in two places, which probably would have called for teacher dismissal at home, but here merely called for suspending the offender. It really wasn't the teacher's fault, so I'm glad no one even hinted at dismissing her. It's hard to tell when things are going south in a conversation when no one is speaking English, no matter how hard you try to tell them to. I wasn't quite as useful in those situations, but since the principal and his assistants were rock stars, we all made it through.
I also got to observe the classrooms, evaluating teachers, which meant that I got to know some of the students a bit. There is little more endearing to me than hearing the boys' classes say my name as I'd walk by their windows: Kenderrrah. These shots sum up our summer.
And, yes, we did have an equal number of girls in our classes, but because of the desire of most girls not to have their pictures taken, I'm not including them, with the exception of the Scorpion Whisperer chick, who gave up her rights to not have her picture published when she went on national television and YouTube.
Foundation (Beginner) Mostly-Boys-But-With-Three-Little-Girls-Who-Don't-Count-As-Real-Girls-Yet Class with Gabriel. This kid is way less angelic than he looks. But yes, you may admire his hat. Other teachers and I have freely admitted that we sit in our adult men's classes and admire the prints on the hats.
Level One boys' class with Shanae. Besides the fact that he is my friends' son and brother, I love this kid for being a rose among thorns in his rowdy class. Early on, Shanae was trying to master the Arabic names of the boys. She asked them to say them really slowly so that she could catch on. When it came to this kid, he complied: "Mo-ham-med." We're pretty sure that was not the name she was struggling with, but thanks anyway, buddy. You rock.
The Level Two boys' class with Tyler, who did not wear local clothing every day. I think this was the last day, and he rocked the look. Until he tried wearing it on his flights home to the US and made security nervous. C'mon, security, distinguish between your Arab countries to know that citizens of this Arab country have not been a major threat. It's obvious from the cut of the fabric; everyone here knows the difference between the apparel from the countries in this region.
In general, these guys were too cool for school and, yeah, bunny ears are considered cool. What is a picture here without them, adults and children alike?
One of Shanae's students actually captured a nice picture of us! She was a great friend this summer.
And this is the Scorpion Whisperer chick. Yes, that thing is highly poisonous. But it doesn't bite her because ... I think it might have had something to do with her not taking a bath. Um, not sure about that. But it apparently knows her well enough to not freak out, and she let it run all over her. (Note the bunny ears.)
And this is me, trying to look happy that I am next to the Scorpion Whisperer, but trying to stay far away from the scorpion, because, ya know, scorpion whispering is not one of my specialities.
Of course the boys wanted to see the Scorpion Whisperer, so she gave them a brief demo, accompanied by a school staff member. Actually, I think they wanted to see the scorpion more than they wanted to see the girl.
Too close and personal.
And the indomitable teaching staff. Thanks to them for many comical and serious meetings, talking about everything under the local sun.
Yeah, fortunately for us, it was also adi when one boy fell off the corrugated tin assembly area roof (after trying to retrieve a ball) and cut himself, distributing blood freely. And when another big boy pulled a box cutter on a little boy and nicked him in two places, which probably would have called for teacher dismissal at home, but here merely called for suspending the offender. It really wasn't the teacher's fault, so I'm glad no one even hinted at dismissing her. It's hard to tell when things are going south in a conversation when no one is speaking English, no matter how hard you try to tell them to. I wasn't quite as useful in those situations, but since the principal and his assistants were rock stars, we all made it through.
I also got to observe the classrooms, evaluating teachers, which meant that I got to know some of the students a bit. There is little more endearing to me than hearing the boys' classes say my name as I'd walk by their windows: Kenderrrah. These shots sum up our summer.
And, yes, we did have an equal number of girls in our classes, but because of the desire of most girls not to have their pictures taken, I'm not including them, with the exception of the Scorpion Whisperer chick, who gave up her rights to not have her picture published when she went on national television and YouTube.
Foundation (Beginner) Mostly-Boys-But-With-Three-Little-Girls-Who-Don't-Count-As-Real-Girls-Yet Class with Gabriel. This kid is way less angelic than he looks. But yes, you may admire his hat. Other teachers and I have freely admitted that we sit in our adult men's classes and admire the prints on the hats.
More Foundation class
Level One boys' class with Shanae. Besides the fact that he is my friends' son and brother, I love this kid for being a rose among thorns in his rowdy class. Early on, Shanae was trying to master the Arabic names of the boys. She asked them to say them really slowly so that she could catch on. When it came to this kid, he complied: "Mo-ham-med." We're pretty sure that was not the name she was struggling with, but thanks anyway, buddy. You rock.
The Level Two boys' class with Tyler, who did not wear local clothing every day. I think this was the last day, and he rocked the look. Until he tried wearing it on his flights home to the US and made security nervous. C'mon, security, distinguish between your Arab countries to know that citizens of this Arab country have not been a major threat. It's obvious from the cut of the fabric; everyone here knows the difference between the apparel from the countries in this region.
In general, these guys were too cool for school and, yeah, bunny ears are considered cool. What is a picture here without them, adults and children alike?
One of Shanae's students actually captured a nice picture of us! She was a great friend this summer.
And this is the Scorpion Whisperer chick. Yes, that thing is highly poisonous. But it doesn't bite her because ... I think it might have had something to do with her not taking a bath. Um, not sure about that. But it apparently knows her well enough to not freak out, and she let it run all over her. (Note the bunny ears.)
And this is me, trying to look happy that I am next to the Scorpion Whisperer, but trying to stay far away from the scorpion, because, ya know, scorpion whispering is not one of my specialities.
Of course the boys wanted to see the Scorpion Whisperer, so she gave them a brief demo, accompanied by a school staff member. Actually, I think they wanted to see the scorpion more than they wanted to see the girl.
Too close and personal.
And the indomitable teaching staff. Thanks to them for many comical and serious meetings, talking about everything under the local sun.
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