So we had our first day of orientation today at school and it was really nice. I did not take an exact head count, but it seems that there are about 12-14 new teachers at the school this year, between the two campuses. Maybe I should clarify if I have not done so already. There are two campuses for the American School of Bangkok, Sukhumvit and Bangni. Sukhumvit is the one I am at and the older one, also right in town. Bangni is much newer and out of town about 45 minutes or so. It also has much better facilities which include boarding rooms, two soccer fields, indoor basketball court and an auditorium. Overall the facilities are nicer because they have the room and its newer.
Anyway, most of the teachers are either Canadian or American. There are a lot more couples than I expected. Only one couple, Harrison and Abby (I think thats her name) are both teaching at ASB. Two or three other younger people came with a significant other and they are trying to find a place to work while over here. I was a little shocked at the high number of couples here.
I met the PE teacher at my campus today, his name is Willy and he is a black man from Lousiana originally. He moved to Southern California and work as a gang police officer for about 20 years or so. He has been over here in Bangkok for about 5 years and has a Thai wife with two kids. He seems like a very interesting individual. We hit it off really well.
There is also Paul who works in the administration department, though I forget exactly what area. He is from England and has been working at ASB for about 10 years. The interesting thing about him is he teaches a martial arts class at the school, which he playfully calls 'Fight Club'. It might be something I get involved in just to get some exercise.
For lunch we had hamburgers and french fries, which I found rather funny. Most of the people who come over here are going to be adventurous to start off with and want to try new things. I would guess most of us would much rather have had some Thai food than something western. Besides, the burgers were very small and didn't even cover half the bun. But they were still good.
I did see my classroom, on the first floor looking out into the courtyard. Nice little room, and I do say little for a reason. Though I was told that most of our classes will have 12-15 students, which is good for me, especially as a first year teacher. I will have 5 classes, but I am not sure exactly how they will break up yet. The school is on a six bell day, and teachers get one prep bell during the day. Each bell is about one hour long, and much different from I'm used to, lunch is also one hour long.
We just briefly touched on the school today, and we will get into that more tomorrow during orientation. One thing to note, this year the school is up for review by WASC, the Western Association of School and Colleges. So we have a little extra pressure to perform well. In speaking with the other teachers today, I do not see that being a problem at all.
Aaron
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
People At School
Besides Gil, who seems to be a very interesting individual, the only people at school that I have had contact with have been Thai people.
Miss Buhpa helped pick me up at the airport and has been very helpful in me finding things and places around town. She is the marketing secretary, I think, and she can speak English really well. She has been helping me and the other teachers get over to Thailand with our visas and other necessary documents. If I have any questions I have been going to her.
Another girl who helped me with my apartment is named Kop (pronounced cope). She is younger, probably about my age and her English is not great. She can speak English and understand, but I've found it has been a challenge at times trying to communicate with her.
Sies is one of the busdrivers who drove me from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to my apartment to get my luggage to my place. He is about the same age as me and is a really nice guy. Similarly to Kop, his English is poor at best. We talk in segments and have broken conversations, a lot of actions. When he was driving me to the hotel yesterday he asked me if I smoked. I told him I did not. I thought he was talking about cigarettes, but during the conversation I began to think he was talking about marijuana.
Interesting development in that department. Makes me wonder about drug testing and other stuff like that. Also, I can only imagine that drugs are pretty readily availible in this society. Given the lifestyle and low morals in certain areas, I can imagine that drugs will be previlent. However, drugs can be found in America too, if you look in the right places.
I did meet my principal last night, Simon Faulkner. I had met his wife, Linda the other day at school. I believe they are Canadian, though I am not sure. Anyway, I was walking down the street close to the school and I see Simon coming out of a bar called 'Woodstock' and call my name. I crossed the street and enjoyed two beers with him and Linda. It was good and nice to sit with them. They told me that I would be getting a lot of information today during orientation, probably a lot of things that would have been good to get from the beginning, but I did come a little early.
I had met Simon earlier at the job fair. He was one of the individuals to interview me and he seemed like a nice guy then.
Looking forward to meeting more people today.
Aaron
Miss Buhpa helped pick me up at the airport and has been very helpful in me finding things and places around town. She is the marketing secretary, I think, and she can speak English really well. She has been helping me and the other teachers get over to Thailand with our visas and other necessary documents. If I have any questions I have been going to her.
Another girl who helped me with my apartment is named Kop (pronounced cope). She is younger, probably about my age and her English is not great. She can speak English and understand, but I've found it has been a challenge at times trying to communicate with her.
Sies is one of the busdrivers who drove me from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to my apartment to get my luggage to my place. He is about the same age as me and is a really nice guy. Similarly to Kop, his English is poor at best. We talk in segments and have broken conversations, a lot of actions. When he was driving me to the hotel yesterday he asked me if I smoked. I told him I did not. I thought he was talking about cigarettes, but during the conversation I began to think he was talking about marijuana.
Interesting development in that department. Makes me wonder about drug testing and other stuff like that. Also, I can only imagine that drugs are pretty readily availible in this society. Given the lifestyle and low morals in certain areas, I can imagine that drugs will be previlent. However, drugs can be found in America too, if you look in the right places.
I did meet my principal last night, Simon Faulkner. I had met his wife, Linda the other day at school. I believe they are Canadian, though I am not sure. Anyway, I was walking down the street close to the school and I see Simon coming out of a bar called 'Woodstock' and call my name. I crossed the street and enjoyed two beers with him and Linda. It was good and nice to sit with them. They told me that I would be getting a lot of information today during orientation, probably a lot of things that would have been good to get from the beginning, but I did come a little early.
I had met Simon earlier at the job fair. He was one of the individuals to interview me and he seemed like a nice guy then.
Looking forward to meeting more people today.
Aaron
Monday, July 28, 2008
A Sightseeing Tour
It sounds like you are learning quite a bit about your environment. I was wondering if you have had a chance to see some of the less-desirable parts of the city, which I have sometimes heard about. In addition, I am interested in your descriptions of the school and also some of the people you have encountered.
When do you actually get to meet your kids? Have you started the lesson plans or looked at the texts? I wonder if you will be able to use any of your TTT lesson plans.
This week I am presenting at a conference in Kansas City, not nearly as exotic a location as yours right now.
When do you actually get to meet your kids? Have you started the lesson plans or looked at the texts? I wonder if you will be able to use any of your TTT lesson plans.
This week I am presenting at a conference in Kansas City, not nearly as exotic a location as yours right now.
Getting My Exercise
So I went to the school again today after a long weekend of walking around Bangkok and exploring some areas. First the weekend...
I spent most of Saturday walking around some markets and malls. There never seems to be a shortage of stands trying to sell jeans or clothes. Either way, it is interesting walking through these places and seeing some of the crafts they have. I caught a movie for a rather cheap price and then walked a little more. I definately feel I am getting plenty of my exercise.
On Sunday I decided to check out some parks that were on the handy map I bought. I found two really nice parks both with big lakes and running/biking trails. I can definitely see myself using these later. They are within walking distance of the Skytrain, so I have no problem getting to either of these places and getting away from the bustling city for a while. I also found Srinakrarintarawiroj University (do not ask me how to pronounce that, I had a hard enough time spelling it), though there wasn't a lot to do there because it was Sunday and not much was happening. Though it is nice to know where it is at, in case I want to take a class there later. It appeared to be a very nice University.
Today, I went back to school to try to see if they had my reimbursement money for my plane ticket and they did. This makes me happy because I now have a lot more money. I also found an apartment, if that's what it can be called. It is very small, a studio, and is made for only one person. I will be moving in to the apartment tomorrow. I will provide pictures of the penthouse when I take them.
I did meet another new teacher while I was at the school. His name is Gil and he is originally from St. Louis, however he spent most of his United States life in Hawaii. I say United States life because he has been teaching on a military base in Japan for the last 22 years or so. He will be teaching English to 11th and 12th graders. I stopped by his place, a 3 bedroom apartment just south of the school about 5 minutes, much larger than mine. In fact, you could probably fit my place in his living room with space to spare. However, he is also paying about 6 times what I am paying for my place. He is also collecting retirement from the military school, so he has the means.
We then walked for about 5 minutes to the nearest Skytrain station. I enjoyed talking to a native English-speaker for a change. Something that I haven't been able to do in a while. We talked a little about teaching and school, but not too in depth. I'm sure we will have an opportunity for more conversations later.
I spent most of Saturday walking around some markets and malls. There never seems to be a shortage of stands trying to sell jeans or clothes. Either way, it is interesting walking through these places and seeing some of the crafts they have. I caught a movie for a rather cheap price and then walked a little more. I definately feel I am getting plenty of my exercise.
On Sunday I decided to check out some parks that were on the handy map I bought. I found two really nice parks both with big lakes and running/biking trails. I can definitely see myself using these later. They are within walking distance of the Skytrain, so I have no problem getting to either of these places and getting away from the bustling city for a while. I also found Srinakrarintarawiroj University (do not ask me how to pronounce that, I had a hard enough time spelling it), though there wasn't a lot to do there because it was Sunday and not much was happening. Though it is nice to know where it is at, in case I want to take a class there later. It appeared to be a very nice University.
Today, I went back to school to try to see if they had my reimbursement money for my plane ticket and they did. This makes me happy because I now have a lot more money. I also found an apartment, if that's what it can be called. It is very small, a studio, and is made for only one person. I will be moving in to the apartment tomorrow. I will provide pictures of the penthouse when I take them.
I did meet another new teacher while I was at the school. His name is Gil and he is originally from St. Louis, however he spent most of his United States life in Hawaii. I say United States life because he has been teaching on a military base in Japan for the last 22 years or so. He will be teaching English to 11th and 12th graders. I stopped by his place, a 3 bedroom apartment just south of the school about 5 minutes, much larger than mine. In fact, you could probably fit my place in his living room with space to spare. However, he is also paying about 6 times what I am paying for my place. He is also collecting retirement from the military school, so he has the means.
We then walked for about 5 minutes to the nearest Skytrain station. I enjoyed talking to a native English-speaker for a change. Something that I haven't been able to do in a while. We talked a little about teaching and school, but not too in depth. I'm sure we will have an opportunity for more conversations later.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Welcome to Bangkok!
This was a quite an extensive description to your arrival in your new "home." It sounds like you arrived there all in one piece.
I am anxious to hear more about your school. When will you be able to set up your classroom? It will be interesting to log onto the school website soon and see your picture with the 2008-09 faculty.
I sent an email attach to you with the consent documents we will need to use for student and parent participation, which I neglected to consider when we prepared for this study. I have not yet heard back from the grant committee, but will let you know when I do. The IRB paperwork was submitted today, but I imagine it will not require a full review, as there is minimal risk to the participants, and your data gathering will take place in the course of regular classroom activities.
I am also looking forward to photos, from your tours around the city.
Dr. Cheryl
I am anxious to hear more about your school. When will you be able to set up your classroom? It will be interesting to log onto the school website soon and see your picture with the 2008-09 faculty.
I sent an email attach to you with the consent documents we will need to use for student and parent participation, which I neglected to consider when we prepared for this study. I have not yet heard back from the grant committee, but will let you know when I do. The IRB paperwork was submitted today, but I imagine it will not require a full review, as there is minimal risk to the participants, and your data gathering will take place in the course of regular classroom activities.
I am also looking forward to photos, from your tours around the city.
Dr. Cheryl
Arriving in Bangkok
So I arrived in Bangkok yesterday night/this morning. I was very pleased to say that my flights were all on time and all my luggage arrived on time. I was worried about this, since my last few flights had issues in both departments.
I went to the school today, located in Sukhumvit, Bangkok. The campus is smaller than most schools in the USA, but it has more than enough space in comparison to the rest of the area. As expected, buildings are packed right next to each other, about as tightly as can be. The sidewalks are hardly sidewalks, more like drainage ditches on the side of the road. Though I am finding the drivers here much more reasonable than in Taiwan. One note, they drive on the left side of the road over here. In Taiwan, they still drove on the right side of the road.
To get to the school, I took what they call the "skytrain", which is pretty much an elevated train. In my short time in Asian countries I would say that their mass tranit systems are far superior to that of the USA. But I think part of this is due to the fact that the population density in these countries requires a reliable mass transit system.
I met with a lady at school named Bupha. She helped my with my visa and sent me instructions about that while I was back in the USA. I walked around the campus and asked her a few questions about housing, visas, shopping and reimbursement for the plane ticket. Unfortunately I could not get reimbursed for the plane ticket today, but hopefully that will happen on Monday.
I did find a place to stay, an apartment within a 10 minute walk from the school. It is very small, a studio, but it is cheap, close and has AC. Besides, I am not sure how much time I will be spending in the apartment aside from sleeping. Hopefully I will be busy and will not spend too much time there. A girl who works at the school went with me to see the apartment, she served as a translator for me. I also met one of the busdrivers, his nickname is Ses, though I forget (or cannot pronounce) his real name.
After looking at the apartment, I walked around for a while and found a mall. I bought a few electronic things for my apartment, mostly adapters and things like that. Went back to the school to see if they had approved my reimbursement yet and they did not. I won't be able to move into the apartment until I receive that money, so I'll stay in the hotel. I have seven days free anyway, so I might as well use them.
As I was walking through the city, I was amazed at how friendly and nice the people were. Many of them smiled at me and said hello. Often they would ask me how I was and we would have a brief interaction. It was nice walking through the city. The people seemed happy to see me and more than welcome to help out. I did walk pass a canal, which I have been told were mostly covered in with cement. It was rather dirty and not very clean.
Tonight, I plan to get dinner at the hotel and then take a shower. Hopefully I can find a place to relax and have a beer or two. Tomorrow, I think I might go look at some temples towards the middle of the city.
Aaron
I went to the school today, located in Sukhumvit, Bangkok. The campus is smaller than most schools in the USA, but it has more than enough space in comparison to the rest of the area. As expected, buildings are packed right next to each other, about as tightly as can be. The sidewalks are hardly sidewalks, more like drainage ditches on the side of the road. Though I am finding the drivers here much more reasonable than in Taiwan. One note, they drive on the left side of the road over here. In Taiwan, they still drove on the right side of the road.
To get to the school, I took what they call the "skytrain", which is pretty much an elevated train. In my short time in Asian countries I would say that their mass tranit systems are far superior to that of the USA. But I think part of this is due to the fact that the population density in these countries requires a reliable mass transit system.
I met with a lady at school named Bupha. She helped my with my visa and sent me instructions about that while I was back in the USA. I walked around the campus and asked her a few questions about housing, visas, shopping and reimbursement for the plane ticket. Unfortunately I could not get reimbursed for the plane ticket today, but hopefully that will happen on Monday.
I did find a place to stay, an apartment within a 10 minute walk from the school. It is very small, a studio, but it is cheap, close and has AC. Besides, I am not sure how much time I will be spending in the apartment aside from sleeping. Hopefully I will be busy and will not spend too much time there. A girl who works at the school went with me to see the apartment, she served as a translator for me. I also met one of the busdrivers, his nickname is Ses, though I forget (or cannot pronounce) his real name.
After looking at the apartment, I walked around for a while and found a mall. I bought a few electronic things for my apartment, mostly adapters and things like that. Went back to the school to see if they had approved my reimbursement yet and they did not. I won't be able to move into the apartment until I receive that money, so I'll stay in the hotel. I have seven days free anyway, so I might as well use them.
As I was walking through the city, I was amazed at how friendly and nice the people were. Many of them smiled at me and said hello. Often they would ask me how I was and we would have a brief interaction. It was nice walking through the city. The people seemed happy to see me and more than welcome to help out. I did walk pass a canal, which I have been told were mostly covered in with cement. It was rather dirty and not very clean.
Tonight, I plan to get dinner at the hotel and then take a shower. Hopefully I can find a place to relax and have a beer or two. Tomorrow, I think I might go look at some temples towards the middle of the city.
Aaron
Thursday, July 24, 2008
your school's website
Hi Aaron--
I took a look at your school's website, which is quite extensive and informative. I also found lots of info about Thailand on their website. I wish you the best--
I took a look at your school's website, which is quite extensive and informative. I also found lots of info about Thailand on their website. I wish you the best--
Monday, July 21, 2008
This will work
Dr. Cheryl,
This will work for posting the diary. I do not see a place for attachments, so I will plan to send any pictures or other attachments to you through email.
Aaron
This will work for posting the diary. I do not see a place for attachments, so I will plan to send any pictures or other attachments to you through email.
Aaron
Monday, July 7, 2008
Background Info
How did we start this thing anyway? Aaron completed his student teaching in April, 2008. He participated in a job fair in Iowa, at which 130 overseas schools were represented; all of them were seeking teachers. Aaron met with interviewers in 30 minute segments, and received three immediate offers. He decided to accept the assignment in Bangkok. Aaron sent an enthusiastic email to his advisor, Dr. Cheryl Fleming, who suggested the possibility of a research project.
The first meeting between the researchers took place on May 30, 2008. Aaron explained a little about his school, the American School of Bangkok. He will depart for Bangkok at the end of July, and needs to be there on August 1. He will be teaching Math to grades 6-7-8, mainly composed of English-speaking Thai students. His benefits include a housing stipend and health insurance. Aaron stated the cost of living is less there.
American School of Bangkok has a downtown site; programs include sports and afterschool tutoring. The school has internet connections, which will allow the researchers to maintain the blog. Aaron plans to spend at least two years in this teaching position.
Aaron will post weekly journal reflections and experiences, about 3-4 times per week, along with photos, to this blog site. In addition, he will seek other data sources, such as letters or journals from students, and other school-related documents.
Dr. Fleming will do the IRB paperwork, as well as the review of the literature, and will write the research articles in collaboration with Aaron. In addition, she has contacted several faculty members who have lived overseas, and might be able to assist Aaron.
The research questions will focus on intercultural experiences, as well as first year teacher experiences.
Dr. Fleming and Aaron applied for a Lilly Scholarship Grant, and hope to obtain partial funding to assist in their research. They hope to present their results at conferences, as well as find publishing opportunities for this work.
The first meeting between the researchers took place on May 30, 2008. Aaron explained a little about his school, the American School of Bangkok. He will depart for Bangkok at the end of July, and needs to be there on August 1. He will be teaching Math to grades 6-7-8, mainly composed of English-speaking Thai students. His benefits include a housing stipend and health insurance. Aaron stated the cost of living is less there.
American School of Bangkok has a downtown site; programs include sports and afterschool tutoring. The school has internet connections, which will allow the researchers to maintain the blog. Aaron plans to spend at least two years in this teaching position.
Aaron will post weekly journal reflections and experiences, about 3-4 times per week, along with photos, to this blog site. In addition, he will seek other data sources, such as letters or journals from students, and other school-related documents.
Dr. Fleming will do the IRB paperwork, as well as the review of the literature, and will write the research articles in collaboration with Aaron. In addition, she has contacted several faculty members who have lived overseas, and might be able to assist Aaron.
The research questions will focus on intercultural experiences, as well as first year teacher experiences.
Dr. Fleming and Aaron applied for a Lilly Scholarship Grant, and hope to obtain partial funding to assist in their research. They hope to present their results at conferences, as well as find publishing opportunities for this work.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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