My hopes for this Blog

Beste Internationale Collega, I am a Dutch TCK, married to a TCK, raising two TCK's and in my 18th year of teaching and coaching in an International school setting. It is my personal opinion that we, as those who work with International students and colleagues could use some resources in creating world classrooms; be it in Physical Education, a Kindergarten class, or AP Biology.
In my opinion an International classroom is one that has empathy for everyone's International story not only for the TCK but also for the Army kid, the missionary kid, the teacher kid, the navy kid, etc, etc. A classroom that shows who teaches there and who learns there, Internationals. Staff meetings that facilitate awareness around the topic of working and living in a transient culture. In-service sessions that give us hands on opportunities to create toolboxes which will help us connect with our peers better, with our students better and with their parents better; because we are not the same as a school back home. I am generalizing here but we are in schools where mobility and transition impact our climate, our community, our enjoyment of life, our jobs, our students and ourselves all the time. I believe that by being more aware; it will help us be a community of support, ideas, care, empathy, understanding and a willingness to learn from each other; whether you are only starting the international journey now, or whether you have been in it for a long time.
I look forward to sharing your tried and tested tricks and advice right here on The TCK Teacher. Here's to making it a small world, together; by giving ourselves and our students a safe place to call "Home" away from "Home", your classroom, our International schools. Ilse

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Constant Transitioning. If it makes me feel out of sorts, how are my students feeling?




Beste Collega,
It seems to happen earlier and earlier every year. That dreaded time when colleagues and friends start talking about next school year and whether they are staying or going. Many International schools offer a bonus for early acknowledgement of discontinuation of contract. And although I should be a pro at goodbyes and transition by now; it seems to be getting harder and harder to not be so emotionally affected. I have been wondering why, especially in this hi-tech world where Skype, facetime, whatsapp and other forms of staying connected is at your fingertips.
 Here are my thoughts as to why I am struggling. It is October, most of us have had the first holiday or break. The school year itself is in full swing and everything is going the way it always goes. Except for that one colleague that moved this summer, or that great student who graduated last May, them not being here has sunk in and it's an unsettling feeling. At the same time we are busy getting to know new colleagues and students and we are trying to understand that new principal or department chair. This is the part that I think some of us struggle with; we are still grieving that everyday friendship that is no longer just a walk down the hallway. And at the same time we are being brave and welcoming a new person who we seem to be connecting with. And just as I get ready to take a deep breath and say “ I’m okay, I’m ready to transition into this new school year, I can handle the changes”, I get hit by the fact that someone else has just decided that it is time for them to move on in June or even December. Wow! Feelings of imbalance and upheaval are no longer just for the summertime or even at the end of the calendar year; no, they now happen all the time. I am constantly transitioning and it makes me feel off kilter; and I am an adult who has lived this life for a long time.
expat transition cycle.png
 This makes me wonder how my students are doing? Not only are they dealing with the physiological and psychological changes that any teen goes through; they have this added challenge of finding some “calm” in a constantly changing setting. It’s October, they have only just had 2 months to create a new “normal” since their friends have left, 8 weeks to get an understanding of this new teacher, 56 days to be in a new grade with all the academic expectations that come with that. A very short time to reach out and meet someone new and yikes “goodbye season” is already knocking at the door. What happened to just being and savouring the moment.
 I guess here is where I feel as the TCK Teacher that my focus lies; awareness amongst us all. That many of us are finding this transition cycle challenging and will continue to do so because of the lifestyle choices that we have made. To create room to breathe and speak and share our stories.  To acknowledge that the pace of International schools, at times, is not conducive to living in the moment. To question whether the strong drive for Academics is overshadowing the need for more socio-emotional support for our International students and teachers? To start a conversation amongst ourselves where we celebrate the wonderful things that make up an International lifestyle and where we come up with ways to address and support the not so wonderful ones.
I look forward to talking with you - athomeinwanderlust@gmail.com or leave me a comment.
Until then, be patient with yourself, your family, your students and your colleagues; it’s a tricky time of school year!

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