✨ What The Sam Heck?! Teaching in Spain for the First Time

Ever wondered what it’s really like to teach in Spain? Spoiler alert: it’s not all tapas and sunshine — but it’s pretty close.

The cutest sign of my school name and me

Whelp! It’s been six weeks since I started working as an English Assistant in Spain — and I’m loving it!

Now, did it take some getting used to? You bet. But now that I’ve gotten the hang of how things run here, I’m finally feeling comfortable and like I can do my thing.

Of course, it’s still a school setting — you’ve got stressed and tired teachers, kids screaming and laughing everywhere, and that unmistakable “school energy.” But there are definitely some differences I’ve come to appreciate… and one in particular that I think the U.S. needs to adopt immediately: SIESTA time!

First Things First — Introductions

Hi, I’m Ms. He—

Nope! Not here.

In Spain, teachers go by their first names. So in the classroom, I’m just Sam. That took some getting used to — there’s no Ms., Mrs., or Mr. happening here. More often than not, I’m simply called “teacher,” which makes sense considering how often teachers switch rooms.

Here, from the baby room up through the end of Primary (about age 12), teachers rotate rooms every hour! The kids stay put, and the teachers move — which totally flipped my U.S. teacher brain. Back home, primary teachers stay with their class all day, so watching teachers switch constantly was mind-blowing.

As a language assistant, I expected to move around, but seeing everyone rotating? Wild. The older grades are more like the U.S., where students change rooms between subjects.

Getting There in Style 🚌

Oh, speaking of routines — let's talk about how I get to school. I take the school bus. That's right — I ride the bus with the kids!

I used to take the metro, which was about an hour and a ten-minute walk in total, but when they offered me a free bus ride that goes to and from Valencia, I jumped right on board.

Now, this is not your typical yellow school bus — it's a full-blown coach! These kids are traveling to and from school in style.

The school bus

While it can definitely get loud and chaotic, at least I'm surrounded by familiar faces and comfy seats (way better than the hard metro ones).

And not only is there a bus driver, but there's also what I lovingly call the bus mom. She helps the little ones get on, makes sure everyone's settled, and even walks them to their classes when we arrive. Then she's back again at the end of the day, checking that everyone's accounted for before we roll home.

She has notebooks for them to draw in, chats with them the whole ride, and somehow keeps everyone happy — she's the heart of that bus. Bus moms are the best!

Resting after recess

The Magic of Siesta Time 💤

From 1:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m., the school takes a big break — hello, siesta! Some teachers have lunchroom duty, but not every day. On your free days, that time is yours to rest, eat, prep, or just breathe.

Honestly, America, take notes. This is the best midday reset ever.

Snacks from home

Oh — and not only do they have a siesta… they have two snack times! 🍎At 10:40 a.m., the kids eat a snack from home and then head outside to play for about 25 minutes. If teachers don’t have duty, they head to the canteen to enjoy their own snacks from home too. Then, later in the day around 4:00 p.m., the school provides a snack — usually a sandwich (they love their bocadillos here), a piece of fruit, or a yogurt. And on special occasions? A slice of cake! 🎂

The school day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so I guess the siesta and snack lineup makes perfect sense… but still — Spain, you’re doing it right.

A Slower (and Saner) Pace

It’s true what they say about Spain — it really has a go-with-the-flow vibe. I never feel rushed or pressured to do a million things at once.

Back home, I love a good routine and that fast-paced, “let’s hit the ground running” energy. But here, things move slower — and it’s actually really refreshing. It’s a good reminder that working with kids doesn’t always need to be a race. Sometimes slowing down helps everyone — teachers included — reset and show up better.

Teaching the “Infantil” Age Group

My uniform

I work with 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, known here as infantil, and the teachers at this level wear uniforms! The older-grade teachers don’t, but honestly… I kind of love it.

Sure, when I go back to the States, I’ll be ready for my cute dresses and teacher outfits again — but right now, not having to think about what to wear (especially with an hour-long bus commute and everything else I am figuring out) is amazing. Plus, the uniforms are comfy.

The students wear uniforms too — and get this — they have two different ones: one for normal days and one for swim class! 🏊‍♀️

Yes, they have swim class twice a week for an hour. This is a private school, so it makes sense, but coming from public schools in the U.S., I think it’s just the coolest thing ever.

End-of-the-Day Rituals

At the end of the day, all the kids brush their teeth and have a little toiletry bag with perfume and a hairbrush. The teacher sprays perfume on them and helps fix their hair before they go home — how cute is that?

It’s such a thoughtful touch, sending them home feeling fresh and loved. Honestly, I should probably start bringing my own toiletry bag because same.

Finding My Place as an English Assistant

While I do miss being the main teacher, I’ve loved taking a step back and learning from the other teachers. It’s been eye-opening to see a totally different approach to teaching.

When I get to lead a small group or teach a lesson, it’s pure joy — even if the kids pretend not to understand me. (The other teachers swear they do, so I’m calling their bluff!)

Now that I’ve learned all their names — and only get corrected occasionally on pronunciation — it’s the best feeling to walk into a room and have them shout “Sam!” and run up for hugs. 🥹

Time to teach

Final Thoughts

Yes, there are differences — some big, some small — but at the end of the day, a school is still a school. The teachers here care deeply, work hard, and pour so much love into their classrooms.

The kids are as happy, wild, and hilarious as anywhere else, and I’m so grateful for this experience. Being an English Assistant in Spain has reminded me why I love teaching — no matter where in the world I am.