What it looks like here

Out and about in Egegik isn't all dull like the pictures you see on Goggle when searching for Egegik show.  A quiet walk through town with the eye of a newbie can show the wonders of a small village that lies undisturbed for much of the year.  Those that are not here ask what it looks like, what I see and want to know more.  Those that are here all the time pass by wonders as if they have always been there.  (many might have been)  

The four-wheelers zip by all hours of the daylight, you know when the infamous liquor store is open, traffic seems to pick up a little.  We don't have the often thought of drunks (characterized by Alaska State Troopers on TV) around town.  If we do, I haven't seen them.  I see dogs chasing after their owners as they drive by in cars or on the ATV's, a friendly wave from just about everyone and the tide shifting every day where the ocean meets the river just out my window.

For now, these pictures.  Later, I'll catch you up on my week.  Enjoy!

Right in the middle of town, I'm not so sure this one has seen the water recently.  Pluto

Octagon house with a spectacular view that sits unfinished and has for years.  Sad really, it's beautiful! 

This guy was right outside my door yesterday.

Coastal scene, tide just about in, just before sunset.

I found a big tree!

And a little tree.  Yes, the only two trees I've seen!

Two grave sites overlooking the river/ocean

Fireweed.  Legend says when it blooms to the top, the six week countdown to winter begins

The school building.  My apt is the right hand portion.  Guest bedroom is that right-most window.  Any takers?

Old Faithful.  Yes, it's a Ford, Yes Matt, I'm sure you're happy!

Other side of the school, my bedroom window is the first, living room second.  Classrooms beyond the stairs.  Notice the yellowish pile near the walkway?  That's old bear poo.  Still no bear sightings though.

The first days of school

What do you remember about your first days of school?

As a student:  walking into classrooms that were unfamiliar, meeting teachers for the first time, getting syllabus after syllabus and learning what was to be done for the year.  Catching up with friends that you had lost contact with over the summer and getting back into the clubs and activities that didn't occupy your time while you were lazy during those long summer months.

As a teacher:  all of the prep time it took to get to that first day of school.  Meeting all the new students, trying to remember a TON of names and faces only to have to ask them again the next day.  (or the next minute) and worrying about where your resources were going to come from.

Before

After, from the front, my desk & student help area to the left

As a teacher in Alaska:  The first day; I only have 5 students so far?  Really!?  The other two are due to show up a little later but then I'll only have 7!   Wait, all the subjects?  Oh boy, that's a TON of prep time ahead of me.  Math, they are all in different levels, 2 History levels too?  Wait, Science, 2 of them as well?  How many standards, strands, etc?  How do I know when they are proficient?  Signing on the first time on the first day and the internet is down (quick email *which still worked oddly due to the bug) which was back up quickly.  Profile sheets for every subject.  Literature books too?  Oh gosh, I'm overwhelmed.  Thank goodness there was technology and Physical education.

Science area, books are now off desks because kids are here.

Technology.  I got this one in the bag.  Thank you WOU.  Oh ya, forgot one little part, I had not used a SMARTboard in 3 years.  Guess what, when a student tells you that "you can circle and tap to erase" you feel pretty dumb.  Yes, you can and it works really well if you can reach the top of the board.  It was hung for the last teacher who was nice and tall.  I have a great yard stick that has no metal points that I use for the top of the board and I basically write on the bottom 2/3rd's.  It's all good though and they were excited with what else I showed them the rest of the day.  Plus, when I introduced them to their MacBooks, showed them Photo Booth and then remotely accessed one of them to put onto the board while they were playing they figured out that I can see everything they do at any moment.  Oh honest statement;  "Oh!  That will keep me from doing a ton of stuff then!"

My books for all the different levels the kids are in, not even all of them

Physical Education.  A no brainer.  I've been doing this for years.  A year of student teaching and 3 years of teaching.  Nothing more than a band-aid needed.  Well, that streak is out the window!  What happens today?  The second day of school?  A great big broken arm.  Both bones in the right forearm, visible deformity and one trooper of a kid.  You get to be flown out of town for something like that.  He was awesome about it and is doing well at the last update.







The kids called me "Bone Breaker" for the rest of the day and continued to make me feel like a heel with comments all in good nature.  Time for science, better put those goggles on, don't wanna put out an eye, you know what happened in PE today.

It's all good, I just feel terrible.

On the upside, the class is up and going and seems to be doing well.