Planning for the Exchange

Virtual Faculty Meeting on the Edge of the Outback

Virtual faculty meetings bring together math teachers from small rural schools for professional development and dialogue. The most recent meeting was in the town of Cobar, about 400km drive west from Coonabarabran (almost 700km inland from Sydney). Surprisingly, I wasn’t the only Canadian there, and another Australian teacher taught in northern Manitoba near where I … Continue reading »

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Starting work at my Australian exchange school

Because we are rather rural and it is incredibly hot and dry here, my school qualifies for a “Climatic Disability Allowance” and an extra week summer holidays. Everyone back in Winnipeg battling the worst winter in recorded history is rolling their eyes in disbelief. Yes, it is hard to beat having to clear 2m tall … Continue reading »

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Reflecting on Our Visit to China

We are hours away from leaving China for Australia and thinking back on our experience here in Beijing. First, we were very fortunate to have lucked into a private tour with our own guide (Candy) AND driver (Jhu). Booking the trip we anticipated feeling uncomfortable with very unique food, language, and writing. It was part … Continue reading »

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Beijing Day 3 & 4

Brief descriptions of these couple of days appear as captions below these pictures. Jade Factory ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 24 Three craftsmen in a glass-walled room cutting hunks of Jade into beautiful works of art.

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en route to Teacher Exchange: Beijing Day 1

Big travel day crossing a bunch of time zones from Vancouver to Beijing. Here are some snaps from the experience. Leaving Vancouver ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 16 Up early to accommodate any unforseen circumstances that might arise… like locking the keys in the trunk of the car and having to call CAA. … Continue reading »

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©2011 Miles MacFarlane