A Greeting from the New Auxiliar

I am now in Linares, Spain working at a middle school. My supervisor wanted me to introduce myself and write something on a blog. Here is what I wrote.

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Only silence greeted me as I walked through the empty halls of Hermanos Medina Rivilla. I strained my ears, trying to hear any sound and only heard the almost inaudible murmurs of voices behind closed doors. Suddenly, a loud alarm filled the air, breaking the silence. I had the impulse to sprint through the double doors and run outside to safety, as far away from the boomerang-shaped building as possible. I expected to hear screams of panic as I imagined hundreds of students run through those same doors. However, instead, I heard screams of joy. It’s time for recesses! And I think, “Note to self: Another difference between Spain and the States. Their ‘change classroom alarm’ sounds like America’s fire drill alarm.”

I was asked to write on this blog and tell a little about myself, my past experiences, and what I think of this school. I guess I should start by introducing myself. My name is Melissa and I am an Auxiliar de Conversación in the I.E.S. Hermanos Medina Rivilla (a middle school for the Americans reading this blog) in the town of Bailen. I am from the United States and lived in the city of Washington D.C. (as the children excitedly say, “The White House!” and “President Bush!”). When I said ‘lived’, as in the past tense, I really mean it. I haven’t lived in D.C. for almost a year and a half. The reason is that last year, I was also an Auxiliar in Spain in the tiny town of Almorox, outside of Toledo. As I said, I now live in Linares which has about 60,000 inhabitants. Almorox had about 2,000. For me, Linares is New York City!

Though I taught in an elementary school last year, I am now going to teach teenagers. Though this seems like a daunting prospect to some, to me it doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve had plenty of experience with teenagers, especially as a Director of Volunteers in the States. And anyway, I’ve always liked teenagers. I look forward to working with these teens and I am already amazed at their high level of proficiency in English. They are enthusiastic and energetic students, and I am honored in being able to take part in their growth and development in this language.

A big thanks to Miguel Angel for all his support! :-)