Well, not really, but I kind of feel like one. The teachers in Bulgaria are on strike, but Peace Corps volunteers aren’t allowed to participate in host country politics, which includes striking.
(BTW, I don’t know where the BBC got the figure that teachers are paid 226 euro/month. Maybe that includes directors and assistant directors or something. It varies a little depending on level of education, but IME that’s really high - all of my coworkers earn about 100 euro/month.)
Anyway, I am the only teacher at my school working. My director has me teaching two classes a day, but because we don’t have very good communication (not to mention some kids can’t be bothered to come all the way to school for one class), sometimes I show up to find one or two students. Today, my kids seemed to know that they had class, but I didn’t. I mean, I knew I had class, but I didn’t know which classes would show up. (I teach grades 2-8.) I’d walk into the classroom and surprise! it’s the third graders…okay, I can do that.
Fortunately for me, my coworkers all understand my situation and aren’t angry at me or anything for working through the strike. It’s been an interesting experience, and it’s not looking to end any time soon, either, if the morning news show is any indication.
Sounds like a challenge. Glad to hear that your fellow teachers aren’t resentful, but then if your the only one teaching you can’t hurt their effort very much.
Have you considered putting some pix online? It would be nice to put some faces and environs w/ your posts.