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  1. #76
    Thailand Expat
    Mandaloopy's Avatar
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    Gloomy day here

  2. #77
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    ^ i just had an inclination to jump off your balcony.

  3. #78
    I'm in Jail

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    I'm already out there ! Like a cartoon character walking out a window and continuing in thin air for a few steps.

    I wonder how much in that photo is fog, and how much smog/pollution ?

  4. #79
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    Is there a Teakdoor shittiest jobs thread....

    This has to be right up there with Miner in Sudan, Indian call centre operative, car factory worker in Liverpool, school gate greeter in Myanmar, video game store manager in Portland, gay porn movie fluffer in Belgium and remote surveillance operative in Kuwait.

  5. #80
    I'm in Jail

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    Hey Mandaloopy....are you going to make a homemade parachute in case of a building fire ? And what is your earthquake plan ?

  6. #81
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
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    ^ Oh don't start OhNo off again.

  7. #82
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...ignore Dill's usual nonsense, Manda... do I see solar panels on neighboring roofs?...

  8. #83
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    They're catapults for the well prepared parachute-equipped building managers.

  9. #84
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...ignore Dill's usual nonsense, Manda... do I see solar panels on neighboring roofs?...
    Indeed, Qingdao is a "green" city although today you would think otherwise. It cleared up to blue skies around 4:30 this afternoon.
    One struggle- the lack of truly wild nature, now that I do miss greatly from Myanmar.
    I think it was Cujo who was saying there is a lot of concreting over perfectly good green spaces, he wasn't kidding.
    Need to get myself of to Yunnan come the holidays.

  10. #85
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Jesus, that's a summers day in Manchester.

    Urban living in China, a million or two bodies needing shelter, who would have guessed. You have your own window!!!!!

    Next door there are 16 bunk beds.
    Last edited by OhOh; 15-08-2018 at 06:43 PM.

  11. #86
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    video game store manager in Portland
    Fook me! That is Jeff's day job? I had no idea.


  12. #87
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    Speaking of work, it's almost time to head out and see if this school is a keeper or not. It's rare to find a positive review of any school on the International School Review when it comes to China, a little bit nervous about this one!

  13. #88
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    Can you speak any of the lingo?

    I see the back to school pics are all over facebook now, any chance of a pic of you in your corduroys mate?

  14. #89
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    Picking it up- and Houston we have a problem!
    My classroom is nowhere close to being ready:

    It looks so bloody sad and soulless
    I wouldn't let my kid play here :

    2 runners so far, one lass just simply took one look and walked out the door. So long as they don't mess me with my pay and teaching I am willing to make a crack of this and try and turn it around- never done a midnight run and don't want to do one. Feeling a little dejected, but worse things have happen at sea and it is still early days.


    Too add,now I have cooled down over a nice bowl of noodles. The state of the school is not ideal, but I can deal with it. Outright lying about being PYP accredited a bit less so, this pisses me off.

    Classes were supposed be be capped at 15- my class will be 25. While classroom management is one of my strong points, I am a little concerned about hands on inquiry learning with so little space.
    Last edited by Mandaloopy; 17-08-2018 at 01:39 PM.

  15. #90
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    That looks awful.

  16. #91
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    Quote Originally Posted by armstrong View Post
    That looks awful.
    Indeed it does. Mandy did you not do a little due diligence before accepting the position and moving halfway around the world? Though have to say I hope there is a way it will all work out..

  17. #92
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mandaloopy View Post
    The state of the school is not ideal, but I can deal with it
    ...that's the spirit: my first school in rural Ethiopia was mud walls and tin roofs that barely contained the bedlam inside...for a monthly salary of $200...the greater the challenge, the greater the reward...though I wouldn't wish Ethiopia on anybody...

  18. #93
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    Indeed it does. Mandy did you not do a little due diligence before accepting the position and moving halfway around the world? Though have to say I hope there is a way it will all work out..
    Agree with you and Armstrong. I researched the school, found their "Chinese Facebook" page but it would appear that school simply used photos of their sister collage for the primary school website- it's not even the same building 555. I've been Shanghied...Qingdaoed, whatever.

    There understanding of the PYP is now clear: We don't understand, we hope you do because we need you to figure out the units of inquiry.

    I have never done and runner and been lucky enough for 8 years of working in schools that while not the likes of Eton, are at least honest and upfront. Despite this, I would still feel shit and unprofessional about doing the ol' midnight run

  19. #94
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    It has looked like that here lately. The entire western US and Canada is on fire right now.

  20. #95
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mandaloopy View Post
    Their understanding of the PYP is now clear: We don't understand, we hope you do because we need you to figure out the units of inquiry.
    They don't know what you should be doing?

    Advantage Loopy. Do what you want, that is until the accrediting board (if there is one) swings around and messes everything up.

  21. #96
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    Thing is, it's not even that hard to understand- a fair amount of paperwork has to go into each unit- part of the reason why they want us to do it I feel is that they lack the English skills. Ideally we should all be collaborating and crafting the units together- given that the first graders I taught in Myanmar had a far better command of English I find this very unlikely

  22. #97
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mandaloopy View Post
    There understanding of the PYP is now clear: We don't understand, we hope you do because we need you to figure out the units of inquiry.
    How long have they been using this PYP teaching method? It appears as if they expect you to create a well oiled humming system. Far more than just teaching it.

    That would be a challenge if so, are you up to it? I foresee many meeting in other Chinese cities and elsewhere where it is very, very, necessary that you attend to ensure your school meets international standards. Enhanced title, salary, bonus payments for establishing standards and measurable performance points, admin procedures .......... Is yours the only school in the city which offers PYP learning?

    You can sell ideas , write plans of action ......... use PP, yes?

    You'll end being sent to Beijing whatever. As a winner to meet the President, as a loser vie a "holiday" in western China.

    You still have your passport? How far is it to your nearest Embassy? Can you leave the city or do you need an official travel permit?
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  23. #98
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    For 6 years, and in that time they have not managed to get accredited- which really is an achievement, I suppose. I've banged on about Wechat, it really is wonderful and I was able to connect with the ex-grade 1 teacher who hated is time there. I can forget any materials that I request- they simply deny it. Have to do a lesson in front of the parents, which is find and understandable given the amount they are paying. My idea was to show hands on learning and get the kids to make lemonade- easy lesson and they can serve their parents in English- cute, showy and gets the kids working in groups, following English and using their hands. Lemons and sugar are too expensive and it's a waste of water, Erm, O.K.!

    Next idea- a very simple selection of ESL activities and games to show I can actually interact with children and not scare them. Nope, balls and baskets involve the verb to spend.

    Just reading them and book they don't understand and getting them to parrot got smiles. Shit.

    Also got a message over dinner denying my request for sand- kids trace out letters and strengthen awareness of phonics and fine motor skills- they don't want to pay for sand.

    I'm gonna hate it here.

  24. #99
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Don't want to sound too harsh Mandy, but that's the unqualified world.

    I know you have a Master's and respect to you for that, but...you will find problems like this recurring.

  25. #100
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    ^ Cyrille is correct and it's true, but I fucking hate England and don't want to go back- stubborn and childish for sure. School in Thailand used PYP for the last three years, they were flush with cash so could really pretty much request anything. Myanmar was Myanmar, cherish my time there despite some day to day hardships and boring weekends if I didn't force myself into the mountains. Looking back on it, the school were pretty good in their spending and improvements to the school and curriculum. Certainly glad not to have burnt that bridge

    Got an M.Ed, just no PGCSE- probably should just bite the bullet and do it. Actually did bother to sit and pass the skills test in blighty, so no reason not to.

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