A "Normal" Day: Try These Names On For Size...
Today is Friday, the 13th of January, 2006. Met with my 10th-grade History learners for the second day in succession. I quickly learned yesterday that something as simple as taking attendance and identifying who is who can be extremely daunting. The following are some names I had to struggle with that day (keep in mind these are ONLY the given names of some of the learners): Levhegwa, Tshweitshweu, Motlagomang, Smangele, Muziwakhe, Nomthandazo, Zamambo, Ntombikayise, Nonhlanhla, Nkosingiphile, Matshabelele, Difakoanah, and Tshegofatso. And NO, I did not make those names up--they are very real. And for me, an American who at times stuggles with some of the names of my students at Flint S.W.Academy, what I face here is no easy task in attempting to pronounce the names of learners. The family names are just as difficult in most cases. In all fairness, there are names that are quite familiar to Westerners: Jessica, Suzanne, Tracy, Thomas, Connie, Daisy, Lawrence, Terrance, Emmanuel, Martin, James, Rodney, and a host of others. Then there are the "unusual" ones: Television, Fortunate, Pleasure, Pretty, Lady-Piece, Pitsi, Poppy, Enocent, Advocate, Perseverance, Gift, Happyness, Patience, and Beauty. There are many, many other examples of names that are a cultural experience in and of themselves. Believe it!
Mr. Arnold Baker "Tubby" Welch, Headmaster at Norkem Park H.S., reminded staff of the luncheon being held in the staff room at 1p.m. The school day is being shortened a little today in order to have time for the sharing of food together. In that regard, there is much more time spent together by staff here: certainly the mandatory meeting each day brings about a collegiality that is not evident in American schools. It's quite nice!
The new teachers to N.P.H.S. are obligated to attend an all-day learning session tomorrow, Saturday, on assertive discipline. It does not matter if one has 30 years teaching experience, any teacher new to this school must attend the training. It should be interesting...especially since it will begin my first adventure in driving a car in South Africa. You know: they drive on the "wrong" side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the "wrong" side of the car. Izak, Marina's husband, will drive in his car in front of my vehicle. The plan is for me to follow him as he takes the shortest route to school from home. Hopefully, everything will turn out okay...the new learning on assertive discipline and the driving experience. Prayer is being added to my daily routine as I try to muddle my way around with all of these new, sometimes scary, experiences...
Mr. Arnold Baker "Tubby" Welch, Headmaster at Norkem Park H.S., reminded staff of the luncheon being held in the staff room at 1p.m. The school day is being shortened a little today in order to have time for the sharing of food together. In that regard, there is much more time spent together by staff here: certainly the mandatory meeting each day brings about a collegiality that is not evident in American schools. It's quite nice!
The new teachers to N.P.H.S. are obligated to attend an all-day learning session tomorrow, Saturday, on assertive discipline. It does not matter if one has 30 years teaching experience, any teacher new to this school must attend the training. It should be interesting...especially since it will begin my first adventure in driving a car in South Africa. You know: they drive on the "wrong" side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the "wrong" side of the car. Izak, Marina's husband, will drive in his car in front of my vehicle. The plan is for me to follow him as he takes the shortest route to school from home. Hopefully, everything will turn out okay...the new learning on assertive discipline and the driving experience. Prayer is being added to my daily routine as I try to muddle my way around with all of these new, sometimes scary, experiences...
posted by JOBURG JOURNAL at 2:29 AM
<< Home