Back to School

My first official French summer break from school has ended and I have resumed my role as the English teacher - only this time I am working in the private school sector, and within the city of Paris instead of the suburb of Saint-Denis.

I must admit that I have never felt so rejuvinated after a vacation as I do this year. And with good reason, since I have experienced my first year teaching, and moreover, my first summer break as a teacher in France. What they say is true, that the summer vacations in France are quite long, and that the country comes to an almost complete halt in the month of August. Apart from the adventure of finding an open bakery to buy your daily bread, and the fact that there are more tourists in Paris in August than parisians themselves, I found it refreshing to stroll about the suddenly tranquil neighborhoods, and enjoy four weeks of relative calm and quiet in an otherwise bustling metropolis.

As I start another year in new schools with new curriculum and new faces, I am able to appreciate all that I learned from my first year of teaching in French public schools. I feel with that experience under my belt, I can take on any class with more confidence. And so far, the classes I have this year are cake compared to the challenges of my first year of teaching.

Those children in Saint-Denis taught me so much of what I know as a teacher today, and my time with them was invaluable and unforgettable. In fact, the children were the highlight of my year. It was more challenging dealing with the administration, and with the hierarchical nature of the public school system than with even my most unruly kids. I cannot compare with any authority the French and American systems, having only taught in France, but from what I know the administration is a source of frustration for American teachers, too.

So far, my experience in the private school sector has been interesting and rewarding. And now I am beginning to understand why my teacher colleagues from Saint-Denis grinned and chuckled smugly when I told them my plans, saying things in French like "Ahh, now that will be a change! You'll see!"

And now I do. And my response is merci beaucoup - for not spoiling the surprise!