Change of Plans

I mentioned on my last post that I had been accepted to be a head teacher with International Language Programs. I was accepted quickly. I put Ukraine as my first choice of country and Lithuania as my second. Well, they assigned me to Changsha China. Pretty much the worst of all ILP locations. It's in the middle of nowhere China. So....I am no longer being a head teacher in the fall. It's all good though because I can stay at the zoo through the fall. I am probably going to be changing the name and focus of this blog to wildlife conservation. There is so much to write about. I'll be making those changes soon.

Second Day of Eco-Explorer Training

Saturday was the second day of training! We started our animal handling training. I got to see all the animals in Creekside and learn how to handle them. We also got to watch two of the senior eco-explorers perform the Discovery Theatre show. The show had such a great conservation message. We got assigned our partners and our parts for when we have to perform the show ourselves. I luckily got the smaller part. This year's show is all about animal movements. I get to handle the Madagascar hissing cockroach and the chuckwalla in the show. For this week's training, we are all giving an "About Me" presentation. It only has to be two minutes long, but I am still pretty nervous about it. I am going to talk about my love for teaching.

On another note, I am still trying to find a graduate program that will prepare me to teach history. I am still so disappointed that Western Governor's University did not work out, but I do not think I want to teach secondary education anyway. There were just so many problems substitute teaching near the end and the politics surrounding public school teachers in Utah is only getting worse. I may get just a regular master's degree in history and teaching community college. I have found some pretty good online programs.

I'll keep you updated on zoo training. I will also try to write next week about teaching for International Language Programs in Thailand. I recently got accepted as a head teacher for fall 2017 as well! I'll be sure to update when I get assigned to a country!

First Day of Eco- Explorer Training

Saturday was the first day of Eco-Explorer training! We were combined with the guest services employees for the first day of orientation. We did our paperwork and the morning consisted of mostly just the typical items of business with the human resources department. They brought out some of the education animals during lunch. In the afternoon, we split into groups and went on an Instagram scavenger hunt throughout the zoo. We then watched some videos about providing great customer service and did some team-building exercises.

Next week we start our animal handling training! I cannot wait to learn more interpretive techniques in zoo education and I will keep this blog updated.