I'm a 5th grade teacher!

Well, just as I was receiving the unpleasant news that I was not offered a job in Boston as a Children and Family Law Staff Attorney (a job I have been going through the application and interview process of for the last 6 months), a little beacon of opportunity presented itself to me.

Sometime in the second day of moping around my apartment having a pity-party over not obtaining my dream job in not only the country, but state and city I wanted to live, I received an email from Deb (the teacher I worked with last year who is one of the newly appointed Vice Principals at the American School of Dubai, where I work). In her email, Deb explained that one of the new 5th grade teachers who was supposed to be starting this week could not come due to health problems she was experiencing and would I be interested in a 5th grade teaching position for this year? I was completely floored and honored that she had thought of me and also a bit overwhelmed to think about switching from being a teacher aid to a full-blown classroom teacher. Certainly being a teacher is not outside the realm of what I am capable of (given that I am a certified NYS Elementary Education teacher, after completing the Teacher Education Program during undergrad at HWS - hey, it was a great contingency plan if I didn't get into law school), but having never been a full-time teacher before, it was a bit of a daunting prospect. After talking it over ad nauseam with both my mom and Jared's, I decided to go for it. Although disappointed that we will not be imminently moving home, I figured, what the hell, I'm up for a challenge.

So, as of today, I am 'officially' a 5th grade teacher at the American School of Dubai. A slight change from last year in kindergarten, but if I can handle 17 5-year-olds, how hard can it be to manage 20 10-year-olds? I guess we'll see. Let the fun begin!

However, as I walked into my classroom today, the first day of "New Teacher Orientation," this is the sight that greeted me. Yikes. How am I going to turn this into a functioning 5th grade classroom in 1.5 weeks??

Another 'before' shot of my classroom. You may notice that there is no furniture.... Well, it seems I will have my work cut out for me. What exactly did I just sign up for?! Eeeek!