La Escuela (the school)

Everything about Quitumbe is different from the schools I have taught at in the United States.  The school is k-12 and located on the south side of Quito.  There are about three classes per grade, and each class has 35 students or more.  With these giant class sizes, you would expect giant classrooms, but the classrooms barely have enough room to fit the students' desks.   The school has a very large campus, and is surrounded by beautiful mountains in the background.  I love the outside campus, because  I don't feel like I am stuck inside all day. The school day starts at 7 am and students leave at 1 pm.  It has definitely been a struggle for me to wake up at 5:30 AM every morning, but I am starting to get used to the early morning routine. Teachers are required to stay, plan, or attend professional meetings until 3 pm.  I teach English to about 6 classes a day to students in grades 2, 3, & 5. The behavior management in the classrooms is very different here (minimal), and students are wild.  I was shocked to find out that during students recess there is no supervision.  Students are free to run around the large campus and play wherever they wish.  There are several security guards on staff who are located in different parts of the school, but in many areas no one is watching the kids.  Students address teachers by their first name or call them "profe." Despite the craziness of the students, they are very loving, I am constantly being greeted with a stampede of hugs upon entering the classroom. On my first day when I introduced myself to my classes, students responded with a huge round of a applause, making me feel very welcomed.  Overall the staff is very friendly and welcoming, and I am enjoying my time at the school.