Judy has an all-day professional development session today on “How to Teach Non-English Speakers”. She’ll have a chance to use her highly honed skills for seeming interested, when she has little or no interest in the subject matter. It’s an important topic for teachers in international schools. The presenters have great ideas and have worked on their presentation. The techniques are best applied in a classroom where individual problems can be addressed. Judy’s class instruction is not individualized so much of the information doesn’t apply. Last year, new teachers had to attend two-hour sessions on Monday afternoons for 8 weeks. This Saturday class is an improvement.
After the class finished, Judy and Shannon (close friend from Australia, and next year’s elementary principal) hurriedly pack up and head off to a baby shower. Mei Lei, wife of Roger, the 2nd grade teacher at BISS, is having a baby in a few weeks. A baby shower is a new concept for several of the teachers, so there is lot of explaining about the activities and games. Judy has a great time, and the shower is a huge success.
The husbands of many of the shower attendees get together at another apartment for a poker night. I joined the group. It’s been years since I’ve played poker, so there is a learning curve. I’m not heading out on the pro poker tour, if anyone is wondering how I did. It was a really fun night. Anytime I get a chance to sit around and talk with such a diverse group, I love it. Australia, Israel, US, England, and Canada are represented. Lots of verbal jabs are exchanged. I did hold my own at that part of the evening!