Find a place to live--check!

We found a place!!!! I wont bore you with all the details but I will say that its a very cute flat in a very peaceful part of town. It's close to a few different parks, and a block away from the closest bus stop! We move in tomorrow. I bumped into a few more teachers today that have lived in London for the past three weeks and have yet to find a place. It's hard to believe we found one so soon!

As those of you reading this must know, i'm a sentimental sap! If I received a card from you in the last couple of months, you better believe it came with me :)

Today was a good day. All the new teachers hired by Engage met up in Watford (closer to central London) for a 5 hour seminar. We enjoyed a continental breakfast, mingled, and got the general scoop of what our role would be within the UK school system- as supply  (TOC) and long term. For the most part it felt like a summary of my year in PDP (topics such as: assessment, behaviour management, progressive learning came into play)... now, let me tell you a few things that took me by surprise..

---> Differentiated learning is quite different from the standards we hold in BC. We do our best to consciously integrate all types of learners in the classroom. Though our lesson planS are designed to challenge the individual learner, information that could segregate any individual is information kept for the  teacher themselves. Apparently, from what I understand, such is not the case and students in the class are well aware of various types of learners (and 'groups') within the class. TOC's are also granted, and encouraged to know this information from the beginning of class in order to make their lesson 'most beneficial' to each learner.. oh man I feel like this is leading into a reflection. I'm going to stop there on this one.

---> hahah! You'll get a kick out of this one. One of the teacher's today shared a story about a time when she asked the class to get changed for P.E. (I'm pretty sure she was referring to the young grades, K-grade 3), and all of a sudden everyone began changing inside of the classroom itself. She was so surprised and flustered that she shouted out, "put your pants back on!!"....only to find out moments later that in England 'pants' =underwear!

Following the seminar, we all went out to a pub down in central! It was my first time walking through central London...and at night!! There really isn't anyway to describe it. Its enchanting, lively, loud, busy and exciting! Everyone has a destination in their mind, cars weave themselves in and out of 6 way intersections (seriously!) every direction you turn there's someone speaking another language. Its unreal.

One last funny story. As everyone jumps on the tube (its super, super busy), there's not enough time for me to get on. I stand there and watch as it closes and I see sad faces wave me goodbye through the window. Fortunately, one guy holds out four fingers. It was underground so my phone didn't work. I could only guess that those 4 fingers represented 4 stops? Luckily it did! As I jump off the tube on that fourth stop I hear cheering. Together again!! phew.

One more to add to the list: cut the thank-you's, walk faster. check check! :)