me llamo...: Profe, Profe, Tengo Una Preguna!

Me llamo Profe.

Day 1 as a Teacher:

6:00: Awaken to the familiar tunes of "Airplanes"

6:30: Actually get out of bed.

7:30: Depart home. Still pitch black

7:36: Embark Metro at Station Bilbao

Metro is packed. Standing room only. Full of businessmen and women, tourists out for an early start, and the assorted randoms (of which i would probably fit in)

Next stop: Tribunal. More people enter. I am flattened against a wall, clutching my bags.

Next stop Gran Via: Businessfolk exit in masses. I grab a seat.

Next stop Sol: Most of the tourists exit.

Tirso de Molina and Anton Martin are uneventful. Some exit, some enter.

Atocha and Atocha Renfe: The rest of the tourists exit with suitcases in tow, off to hop the train.

Over the course of the next 9 stops, the rest of the randoms exit one by one, until i am left with two others: an elderly gentleman staring curiously at me as though he owns the train and I am an outsider, and a 20-something male rocking out to his ipod and paying me no notice.

8:12: Disembark Metro at Station Villa de Vallecas

8:19: Arrive at Instituto de Educacion Secundaria- Villa de Vallecas

8:30: My first class is scheduled to begin.

8:41: My professor arrives.

This has been the typical rhythm of my morning commute, that I fill with people watching, daydreaming, sipping coffee from my travel mug (big faux pas by Spanish standards where coffee is meant to be revered!), or taking a short nap.

I am beginning to fall into a routine and loving every minute of it. I teach 17 classes Monday through Thursday and have several periods allotted for the Bilingual Team Meeting, Global classrooms meeting, and course preparation. I was originally assigned to teach students in Primero (12-13 year olds) and Tercero (14-15 year olds) but have since taken on a class with Seguno (13-14 year olds) and Primero de Bachillerato (16-17 year olds).

A quick note on the Spanish education system. High school starts at 12 and goes until 16. Then you have the option to continue with the final two years, which is sort of comparable to an American associates degree. In these final two years, you specialize in Humanities or Sciences and then continue on to university.

In the bilingual program, students receive all of their classes, aside from Spanish language, math, chemistry/physics, and religion in English. Therefore I teach English, Social Science, Technology, Biology/Geology, Physical Education, Drawing, and Tutoria (sort of like a study hall but with more intent focus).

My students are loud, hormonal, and often lazy but I find myself already getting close with many of them and enjoying each of my classes in a unique way. And of course, being a young American, I am a novelty and a curiosity.

I opened each class allowing free questions. My favorites:

- How many sons and daughters have you got?

- Do you live in a mansion with circle stairs and four levels and six garages?

- Do you have a Hummer?

- Have you got a boy?

- Do you prefer the beach or the desert?

- Do you know famous people?

- How are Spanish teenagers the same from American teenagers?

- Do you have difficulty to shop?

- What is your favorite drink?

Once the initial introductions were passed and I actually began to teach, I realized how much I enjoy being in command of a classroom and how natural it seems. It's truly invigorating when I know that my students have understood something and when they are excited to speak in English. I'm only a few weeks in, but I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!

The other aspect I've really come to embrace is being a part of a school staff. It's really empowering to know that I'm a teacher at IES Villa de Vallecas. I have a whole group of educators who are ready and willing to offer me a hand and to do anything possible to help the children. We may not have the richest school, or the most resources, but I'm fortunate to be working in a school where the teachers truly care. I've already gone out to dinner with 9 teachers from the English department, occasionally go to a bar during my break to have coffee with some of the younger teachers, and frequently sit in the teacher's lounge chatting with my colleagues. And of course the two cafeteria ladies- Maria and Toni (sisters no less) are two of the nicest people! They have become my psychologists and I spend many a free period sitting and discussing life with them. And for 4,50 euros I can order Menu del Dia at the Institute and sit for several hours just chatting with my colleagues while enjoying a delectable Spanish meal!

That's the general summary to the start of my teaching career. So far, I am open minded, eager and enthusiastic and embracing all aspects of being a high school teacher in Madrid! I'm sure there will be plenty of stories to follow.

Here's a glimpse of where I work: