Sierra Nevada

Our trip to the mountains yesterday was great. A really early start (7 am) but it was well worth the drive. A little dodgy up the mountain said as our big bus was just swerving around some blind corners, hoping that their wasn't people coming.

Sierra Nevada is the highest point in mainland Spain...I say mainland because the Canary Islands have the tallest mountain. It was gorgeous as we rounded a bend and saw the snow covered mountain. Crazy also because just across the valley, there was absolutely no snow. Really a sight to see. A little disappointing in the sense that we were approaching the resort and both Eric and I are thinking how great this is going to be with all the chair lifts going up the mountains, different runs, etc. Then, we take a turn to the left and ascend the to other side. Essentially, we went to the bunny hill if you will. It was still super fun as we went tobagganing with 25 14-15 year olds who had never gone before. So funny and crazy. That was in the morning and then after lunch, the students and I (Eric is more experienced) learned how to ski. This was the first time I have tried skiing since grade 7 and I did not bad. Sure it was a bunny hill but still. So, we did look over to the mountain every once in a while and wished we were on it (I would have been doing snowboarding for sure...not an expert by any means but my snowboarding is better than the snow plowing that I was mastering yesterday..)

I was a little worried headed out since I did not have any winter gear but I borrowed a pair of wind/waterproof pants and then wore some shorts over top (the layer system is so efficient). Then I thought of buying gloves but decided against and opted to use my soccer goalie gloves for protection (10€ for a one day use of gloves didn't sit well for my frugal self). But they worked wonders. But it turned out that I was more prepared than most students. Most of them dressed as if it was a regular day. Maybe 2 pair of pants but for most, a small pair of gloves, a few sweaters and they were off. It was absolutely gorgeous out (sun shining the whole day) but I was soaked after the first hour of always sitting in the snow and on the tobaggan. All in all, a good time.

Interesting talking to another teacher here about their system here. Most students are streamed after 4 ESO (which is about grade 10 of compulsary subjects). After, they choose more academica routes (to eventually go to University..this is the baccalaureate route) or other routes such as commercial business, arts, computer technology, other occupations such as hairdressing, airline work, etc. Essentially a streaming system for the last two years of school and for the baccalaureate route, a very important 3 day exam period that determines their acceptance into universities after their high school education is completed in June. Similar to SAT's in my view. And their acceptance is based upon 60% high school mark and 40% 3-day exam period. So there you go, some educational information on Spain...

Some people have asked me how I find students behave here in Spain and I reply more or less the same. Sure you have the students here and there who disrupt classtime and such with too much talking but all in all, same type of problems. However, I do think that behaviour problems here in Spain are much different. I was discussing this yesterday with Eric because on the way up to Sierra Nevada with the students, we stopped for 30 minutes to have coffee or snacks. There were only 3 other teachers (or supervisors) and Eric and I...for 55 students. I have noticed that students here do talk alot but when it comes down to it, I would rather animated and jovial talking instead of behavioural issues such as fights, bullying, etc. Students here are pretty kind towards eachother I think, in comparison to students back home. Very few putdowns and bullying is almost non-existent (at least I haven't seen it). Always friendly, jovial banter between students. But just an ovbservation and I will comment more later but the bell just rang for me to go teach.

Until the next time,
Adam