Everybody is jealous of Asy! Cl's gift reparation

Yesterday, Asy was absent due to her modelling assignment. Today she called up to inform that she won't be able to come today either as she has a sprain in her arm. Both Cl and I were concerned and both hoped she became well by Friday which is Cl's last day. 

"I would be very sorry if I couldn't meet her on my last day!" Said Cl.

"And me too for the same reason." I said, however I also have an additional reason to worry because Asy has enthusiastically offered to pay half the cost of the jewelry which I am buying for Cl's farewell. Yesterday I received the jewelry through courier and it looks really beautiful and elegant. Its pink Swaroski heart shaped pendent and earrings. Today I had even brought it to show it to Asy. I think since she is paying half the cost, she not only needs to see it but also be personally present at the time of its gifting. If she is absent at that moment then there is no sense in her paying for it.

 In a short time she has become rather close to us and we feel so affectionate towards each other. However, to our great surprise she is not popular in the staff. There's nobody who likes her. Once Cl remarked that Asy looks so great to which another person, I don't know who, replied sardonically "Really? I don't think so." Which is wrong because Asy does look great.

And then today when we told Mk why she was absent he made a sarcastic face as if he didn't believe it. My too did the same. 

A few days ago, Asy herself had told me that Stfn and Ndn used to behave so rudely with her, not answering her greetings, not talking to her even when she was trying to make polite conversation with them, and refusing to even recognize if she happened to meet them outside the school. She used to feel so uncomfortable in their group. Ever since she has been in our group she looks visibly happy. She has started feeling the same interest, love and enjoyment in school life which Cl or I take naturally.

Its a shame the others don't like her because she is really a very warm hearted person and is always ready to work hard, enthusiastic and even caring. She loves the children and is eager to learn and learns pretty quickly. There's no reason why anyone should dislike her. But of course, her good looks put every other female in the school to shame. They all are being a bunch of jealous women...nothing else!

Today I again took a lot of pictures. Cl had brought her camera as well. She posed with each child separately and then I took one picture from her camera and then one from mine. After the school, I went to photo studio and got some of her special pictures printed. Now tomorrow, when the children go to sleep and Cl goes to staff room on her break, I will wake the children up and quickly make them stick the pictures on to the calender and make caterpillar print as well. 

I have plenty of work to do tomorrow...

Cl's gift

Today during the morning circle, Cl announced to the children that she was leaving and unexpectedly we both broke down. The children stared at us in confusion and amazement as they peered at us to see how we were talking in unsteady voice and wiping our tears. 

 I have packed a big school bear, school socks, school cd, school tattoo strip, and a children's school Tshirt and school cap in a large box. The box looks really very beautiful. I plan to give this gift box as a prank.  She will be visibly disappointed to see this silly gift because none of the items can be used by her. And then when everybody has given their gifts, I will produce the real gift: the big flower vase with teacher's messages and stuffed with chocolates and three little bears wearing a ribbon with names of Cl, Asy and mine written on them and the calender with her pictures. 

As to Swarovski gift, I am undecided when to give that. Definitely not in front of the whole staff as everybody would become jealous especially people like Mz who can publicly comment that I never gave such a gift to them. Maybe just before the party or just after...

I hope she will like the gift...

Mch is having the time of her life. flinging her nose in air, least bothered about the agony she is causing to quite a number of people and conceited, complacent, haughty and nonchalant she is a singular example of those people who believe in living for themselves. I don't really know her enough to say this but her expressions make me think maybe she is like this; and of course the others give the same opinion.
Today, Jln was absent so Mch was sent to work with Mk. When I went to pick up H and asked how she liked her day today, she blurted
"Ya, I liked it very much. I hope I will be here tomorrow as well as Jln can't become well so soon. I hope I get to come here tomorrow too."
Well, I should make some allowance to the fact that she is a German and does not know English that well. Maybe she was really sympathetic to Jln but used just the wrong words out of her ignorance in this language.

English teachers in this school

The set up of this school is such that only the German teachers are made the group leaders; their team mates merely follow orders. As to English teachers, they are merely dummies, a mere unsubstantial shadow. They are there in the class only to speak English. They are never involved in the lesson planning, meeting discussions or even simple notification processes. While it is really pathetic because the main reason for the existence of this school is its bilingualism. More than 60 percent of children and parents are English speaking. The major reason for enrollment of students is English. majority of parents are expats from English speaking countries who want English instructions for their children, while the rest are those who desire their children to learn English. And yet, and yet, English teachers are given such a degradingly obscure status. During meetings or workshops almost every word is spoken in German which the English teachers do not understand until someone fumblingly translates which also means they are excluded from the general discussion. Resultingly the English teachers keep yawning in utter boredom and clearly feel they are not needed.

The baby group's English teacher An, My's group's English teacher Mks, Mk's Group's English teacher Jlna and Mz's group's English teacher Jrn all of these are dummies; they have no roll to play in the class, no responsibility to perform and have nothing to do except following the words of their group leader. I only recently discovered that none of these English teachers make lesson plans - lesson planning is entirely done by the German teachers. In fact most of the times the English teacher is not even aware of what's going to be done today. That's kind of strange and unfair. I am the only English teacher in the whole school who does anything or decide anything but that has been possible because of Cl's timid and cooperative character which allowed me to have my way. But because she was officially the group leader everybody thought my work was her work and she ran high in praize and appreciation. I wonder if anyone will ever know how I have working for the school.
Now that Stfn is going to take over Cl, my status could change drastically. I am wondering if she will let me plan lessons and take the lead. Will she let me have my morning circles the way I want or thrust her ways? If I don't get to do things at all, then what?

Cl's farewell!

Cl's farewell party has been scheduled for this Friday. She has also planned a drink party in a nearby restaurant and has already invited everyone; me too but I won't go because of H being with me.

As to farewell gift, I have bought a white ceramic rectangular flower vase on which I got all the teachers write their message for her in red/ green/ black waterproof ink. The vase as it is, is a very stylish and elegant looking; after the writings it actually started looking even more chic and fashionable as if the writings were actually a design.
It was difficult to get this work done as Cl and I are almost always together. So when I and the children had retired to sleeping room one by one the teachers came and wrote their message. They all said it was a unique idea and the vase actually looked very beautiful.

The vase with the message is the gift from the school. I further plan to stuff the vase with chocolates and small teddy bears and a further funny messages inside. Then there is a gift from the children: a blank calendar on which the children will stick Cl's pictures and make a caterpillar with thumb print on every page. All the other groups are also preparing a farewell gift made by children. And yet, there is one more gift for her- a beautiful and costly swaroski jewelry set. Asy has offered to share half the cost of this personal gift.

Today I took my camera to school and shot plenty of photos of her. I will get them photoshopped by my brother in India and then I shall get them printed. Hmmm! A lot of work and there is very little time now...!

Stfn in fire and tears

Yesterday as I walked into the school and was taking off my coat, gloves etc. Stfn came out from her from her room and started saying.
"I want to tell you something before you hear this from somebody else. I have been told to come to your group in place of Cl. I want you know that I like you very much and it would be a pleasure to work with you but this is not what I want. I am feeling bad because baby group is my place; I created this group and love the babies but the new teacher Mch is being given my group. She is a horrible creature and does not even love the babies. The babies start crying when she picks them up. I cannot give up my group to her. I cannot work here anymore. All the parents are on my side. They all are appalled that I am being dealt with like this and that their babies are to be looked after by that new teacher whom nobody likes. The parents have assured me that they are contacting the parents committee and will try to pressurize Stf to change this decision."

She broke into tears. I was so sorry for her.
There was nothing that I could do. Everyone was aware of this news in the school. My had already informed Cl and Cl actually liked this decision because she felt Stf is better than Ndn and it will be nice to work with her.

Stfn kept crying the whole day. Twice she threw up because of the constant crying. I heard her talking to various parents personally as well as on phone about this unfair decision. Stf the boss is definitely not going to like this. I thought.

In the evening we had the routine meeting. The last one for Cl!
Both Ndn as well as Stfn were clearly miserable. Mz commenced the meeting by declaring this officially that Stfn will be replacing Cl, while Stfn's position will be filled by the new teacher Mch together with Ndn."
Ndn, Mk and Stfn tried to postulate that this is not the best decision under the circumstances as it is disrupting a number of elements; it would be simpler rather and more beneficial if Mch were to replace Cl. To which Mz haughtily replied:
"This decision is final. If anybody is not happy with it he can resign. I am not going to discuss this topic any further. Next point, please."

Why do we have meetings at all if we are not supposed to discuss the most pressing issues? Do meetings mean only munching brezels and gossiping about fickle matters not even related to school?

The meeting ended rather early; I guess everyone realized they didn't want to say anything for the very futility of it. I went to say bye to Stfn. She was crying again.

"Stfn," Said I, "You have been crying since morning, well, since yesterday actually, but now its time to stop. Crying won't help you. It won't solve anything. Why do you think this decision is so bad for you? I understand you made this group and love the babies but there is more in this world than this group and those babies. Why do you want to stay in this group when staying here with the dragon Mch could be an everyday hell for you? The type of person that she is, you are not going to get along with her." She nodded. " That means if you stayed with her you will most likely fight and have ugly arguments almost everyday. She is ambitious and dominating; she can make things difficult for you in a variety of ways you have not yet thought about. Under these circumstances, I think, it is rather better for you to move out to a group where you have freedom and peace of mind. In fact, Ndn is getting the tougher part of the deal - she has to stay in this group with Mch!
Why do you think, looking after the babies is your only feat? Its time for you to experiment and prove to yorself as well as the others that you can handle other age groups as well. Take it as a challenge and accept it. We cannot change this situation in any way but this is the only way we can make it work."

I saw light dawning on Stfn's face. I saw Ndn's face reflecting the same hope.
"Its not as bad as you think it is. For all you know, it could be far better for you. Let's hope for the best."

I left them feeling that I had done a good job. I have planted a seed of hope in their minds which will if nothing, at least give them something to think about other then crying and feeling lost and miserable.

On a personal note, I believe Stfn is not being professional. True she created her group and loved the babies but that does not mean that she can stay in that group forever. I believe the management can decide which group to assign to the teachers and we as employees have to abide by it. We cannot say we cannot go or do not want to go. But apart from this lone fact, the management has been at fault again as always.
under the circumstances this was not the best decision. I mean it could have been easier and simpler merely to send Mch to replace Cl, rather than uprooting Stfn from the baby group which is so unsettling for all the babies and their worried parents who trusted her so well; the babies too are all accustomed to Stfn and do not accept any new face right now. They also need someone who can love and care for them and understand them as well, all of which Mch is accused of not doing yet.

I wonder what stuff is Mch made off. She is so haughty and vain. If I had been in her place, I would have felt so guilty for causing so much misery and confusion; not she. She kept flashing her hard emotionless steely smile as if she was actually quite happy; there was not the least trace of sympathy, compassion or even sorry on her face.

 Ndn is sure in a bigger trouble!

Photograph Day

Today the photographer came to take group and individual pictures.

He was a nice man from Romania and could speak so many languages that he was easily conversing with all the children in their mother tongues be it Italian, Spanish or French apart from German and English. Speaking these languages is my greatest dream..!!!

He set up his white background and tripod in Mz's room and was so friendly with the children that we didn't have any problem at all. I asked him if he would like to have something, maybe coffee or tea. He was very happy and requested for a cup of milk coffee without sugar. When the day was over, I went up to him and gave him a bar of chocolate saying he must be tired too as it is never easy to spend your whole day with children. He was really very happy. Consequently Mz had to move her children to Mk's room. Both the groups together and Mk absent it must have been a really hard day.

At the end of the day we were all looking thoroughly stressed out and totally exhausted. The children were all tired and crazy. My requested me to stay one hour longer as there was also a shortage of teachers.
She keeps telling me that I am very nice. Well!

Today Cl gave me the rough copy of her resignation mail and requested me to make necessary corrections. She didn't want to make any mistakes in this mail as this would be sent out to all the parents of the school. There were several mistakes so I rewrote the letter and gave it to her.
I have just received her resignation email the way I wrote it for her.

Dear Cl, I will miss you so much!

Mch the new teacher in the school

Cl is leaving next week;  Friday 17th will be her last working day. We are going to have her farewell party next week.
 An is leaving too and 28th of February is her last working day and we might celebrate both the farewell parties together.

As yet there is no information about Cl's replacement.
In the school's website there are four new faces to be seen but we don't know who of them will take Cl's place. There are chances that Ndn might come or the new German teacher in their group. In either cases I am doomed.
The new teacher in the school is Mch. She is a young German girl and currently in the baby group. Only about a week has passed and already the whole school is rumors rife that she is...a different person. She is arrogant,  snobbish, vain, abominably concieted, dominating and rather insolent type. When Stfn introduced her to me a week ago, she had looked at me up and down with such an expression as if she found me obnoxious and downright horrible. I admit I was terribly offended by her expressions alone but I had dismissed it from my mind.

Every person who has ever talked to her says the same thing. She keeps telling everyone that she has plenty of experience and she knows what she has to do - much better than any of us over here. Last Saturday the school had a workshop on 'Parent Teacher Handling Expertise'. After the workshop was over, the organizer asked everyone to say something about this workshop. Everybody agreed and appreciated that the workshop was very interesting and informative. She, however, snobbishly said that there was nothing new in this workshop - she knew all this already- she has plenty of experience.

Cl corroborated that Mch looks like a totally fake person. Her expressions appear blatantly artificial. She may smile at you but it doesn't take much effort to know that under that smile there was only disdain and scorn.

I am wondering what would I do if she became my team mate. I can imagine her turning up her nose on every thing I do with children, dictating me what I should or should not do, disagreeing with every move of mine, telling me every minute that she is the boss. That won't do. I am guessing the teachers would be on my side initially but they all have jelly legs and nobody interferes in anybody 's matters. Maybe Mz and My would support me but they cannot be counted. The parents would prefer me if they do not like her enough.
I half think Ndn would be better which is really ironical because I did not want Ndn to come to my group for precisely this very reason - she was dominating and wanted things to be done her way.

Maybe I am just being too rash in thinking. I am reminding myself that Stf is planning to open one more baby section and maybe Mch gets to work in that one instead of landing in my lap.

Oh God, please save me from that Mch..

Tomorrow we have a meeting. Maybe we shall discuss this point.