My First International Teaching Job!

After arriving in Porto Alegre on a Sunday evening, I woke up early the next morning to begin my new teacher training! We had a week and two days of teacher orientation and then the students started on Wednesday, July 31th. I feel blessed to have such an amazing grade partner and assistant to help me adjust and settle in to my new school!
Here is some of the basics about my school:
  • Pan American School of Porto Alegre has both Brazilian and international students (about 70% Brazilian)
  • School day starts at 8:15 and ends at 3:15
  • 15 minute snack break for all students and staff
  • 1 hour lunch (20 minutes to eat, 40 minutes for recess) Can you believe that my fellow Philly teachers?!?
  • Typically two prep periods a day: Portuguese class and a special (PE, art, music, library)
    • Although this seems like a lot of free time, we have many many meetings and paperwork things to do :)
  • Tuesday and Thursday meetings after school til 4:30
  • I currently have 13 amazing students...I think my biggest challenge will be challenging them academically!
Here are some pictures of my classroom right before school started. It is still a work in progress, but with the help of my assistant, Henrique, things are falling into place very quickly!
 






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