TCK Journey Vol 4

Growing up in the developing 1950's suburbs of Small Town America, I gave no thought to the fact other kids lived differently. As a Navy family, we moved at least a dozen times between 1952 and 1970; I attended six public schools and two DOD schools before graduating in 1970 from The (Thomas Wilhoite Mack) American High School in Kenitra, Morocco. Only now, 60 years later, are the effects of all those moves being studied in the field of Education, under the umbrella name Third Culture Kids [TCK]. Learning Spanish in kindergarten, graduating in Arab-French Morocco has definitely affected my outlook. There was no Henry Higgins to prepare me for the vast differences of my ex-pat world and the traditional suburban world that has evolved during the post-WWII years. TCK Journey: Vol 4 Kazakhstan is the fourth book in my TCK series which chronicles my second contract year as a Grade 3 - 4 teacher, in northern Atyrau, Kazakhstan, a former Russian satellite country. Certainly, conditions were not easier, but I did know the ropes and my apartment was already set up. What I didn't count on, was the crisp, cool October day my boss's boss asked me [aloud] "What did I plan to do next year?" ... huh? what? as [not said aloud] I could no longer work at DAIS: my age of 60 suddenly became an issue so my work visa was automatically revoked. Needless to say, it was the most humbling experience imaginable. Besides two local weddings, the usual dealings with warring parents, or a disgruntled staff member or two, I was tasked with splitting my day between teaching the 3 R's to my regular Grade 3 & 4 combo while creating a full-on Music Program for Grades 1-8. To sweeten the pot, there was also a year-long, accreditation process to endure, and the NESA Conference to attend, this year in Thailand, whether we liked it or not... Vol 4 book records some of the day-to-day events as this pivotal year in my life unfolded.