Work Update

I don’t want anyone to get the impression that I’m just hanging out and being a tourist all this time. I do try to make the best of my weekends and time off but I am working pretty hard here too. Work has been slow going and challenging at times, but overall I think we’ll have a good report in the end. It took 3 months to get teacher surveys returned but I have some data to play with now. And this past month, I have very busy doing a lot of site visits and child-level data collection with the four schools in the Technology in the Classroom Study.

As some readers are well aware classroom observations can be fun but also boring and tiring(even excruiatingly painful) at times. But I do my best to enjoy it as much as possible. And here there is so much to learn and see – everything is new. And the children – in any language or culture – are always entertaining.


Most of the classes I observe are conducted in English and they will only use Arabic to clarify a concept or manage behavior. (The teachers think I don’t understand them when they discipline the students. But, oh so much can be understood in tone alone.) These school visits have actually been a lot of fun. Sue me, I enjoy my job.


One school just could not quite believe I was satisfied sitting in the back of the classrooms quietly observing. They insisted I take the full tour with all the bells and whistles included. I was escorted through 4 kindergarten classrooms of 35 students each and when I entered each room they all stood up, said, “Good Morning, Miss Julia” and then serenaded me in English and Arabic with such songs as Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Days of the Week and ABCs.

I saw everything from kindergarten to high school. At one point a strapping, young sophomore lifted a desk over his head and brought it to the back of the room when he was instructed to get me a chair. It sent all the veiled girls in the room giggling. I tried my best not to laugh as well and embarrass the young man – but it was hysterical.

And then, the best English-speaking student in each grade was invited to “interview” me. The Kindergartners managed, “Hello, my name is….” But I was grilled by the 7th and 8th graders: Where am I from? What is my post (job)? What school do I like best? What do I like about Egypt? What would I do to improve Egyptian schools? I have to admit they were a little bit intimidating.

I have truly been humbled and am very grateful for the warm reception I have received at all of the schools. Everyone from the directors, teachers, staff and children has made me feel welcome.