We Meet!

It was a surreal feeling to see Maureen coming up my front walkway Thursday night! We hugged for a very long time, so glad to finally be at this moment!

Friday with the children was lovely! They were so excited to meet their new teacher and to "hear what she sounds like." One child whispered to another during a quiet work time, "Her accent is really good. She must have been practicing for a LONG time!" She fit right into Liberty, and they children were enamored by her.

The parents welcomed her with juice and cookies at the end of the day, and presented us both with gifts, including a classroom wide-angle webcam. We will begin communicating back and forth between our distant classrooms by next month.

Once the welcome/goodbye festivities were over (not until the wee hours!), we spent the weekend learning more about each other, our schools, our homes, and our local communities. After hearing the programs and plans in Macksville, I can't wait to get started! I suppose I could be persuaded to spend a few days basking in the summer sun before I roll up my sleeves and start in, but the idea is exciting and not too daunting.

Now on Tuesday, we have loaded our MANY bags to the front door and wait for our generous friends and family who will caravan us up to the airport.

It will be a tearful goodbye to the Australian family, too! We have had such a great time getting to know them. Oddly enough, it feels very natural to just leave our entire house to them and know we're going to stay in theirs! Last night we said, "When will we see each other again?" On the computers, of course, but sharing a meal and laughing at the dining room table? Hmmm. Maybe next year this time?!

How lucky for everyone involved!

Preparing the Kids - Preparing Myself

Well, we've had our meeting at the rug to talk about the big change and adventure coming to all of us! First I announced it at Back to School night in September to all the parents. Some knew already, others were surprised, but everyone was very supportive. The next day the kids and I met to talk about it together. There was one teary-eyed child. Mostly they wanted to know would their new teacher bring a live kangaroo? In October they wrote letters to Mrs. Bird, welcoming her to the states, telling her something about themselves, suggesting a place she should visit, etc. Chuck E. Cheese's was a favorite, as was the local community swimming pool!

Now as the time to leave grows near (20 days), and we've gotten to know each other, it will be very hard to say goodbye to "my kids." What about the new I.E.P. being prepared for one student? Will another finally get the idea of a concluding sentence? I know with another month I could see one boy get elapsed time! They'll be fine. They'll be more than fine. They have a true gift in the form of a caring, experienced, professional, and talented teacher coming in January for them. They'd better behave!