First day at #2 public school in Nukriani

Thursday September 15^th was the first day of school here. I received an email indicating that I did not need to start at the school until Monday the 19^th, after an introductory meeting with the director and the regional coordinator, but as Neli, Zaza’s mother works at the school I was happy to go along and see where I’ll be for the next couple months. The school is about a ten minute walk from Zaza’s. It’s a large, two-storied concrete building just off the main road. The walls of the rooms were painted along the bottom third with a bright, cheerful spring green, but otherwise, aside from some old desks and chairs the classrooms were pretty bare. I met the teachers; all women except an older man who teaches “sport”. I met the director, Manana, and found out that it would be the next day that I would be moving in with their family! It’s a pretty small school: 110 students total for grades 1-12. There was an introductory assembly where everyone stood around the large room on the second floor. Four girls performed the school’s hymn with the music teacher on piano. Some awards were given out for a music competition that must have taken place over the summer. I was invited to introduce myself, which I did simply in Georgian: “My name is Chris. I am from America. I am your new English teacher.” And then in English “My Georgian is not very good yet, but I am looking forward working here and to meeting all of you.” The first graders spoke individually, something they had prepared- some were shy to the point of tears, others confident to the point of shouting. These students received special laptops courtesy of the Saakashvili administration. Some more remarks were made and that was about it for the day. The atmosphere in the school is warm and intimate- the classes all have less than 10 children and everyone seems excited to have me here. I’m looking forward to my time here.