My first day of school in Guatemala!! Today began early as always, but instead of waking up to the beautiful volcano, all I saw was rain clouds! This was not the way that I wanted to start my first day, but sometimes you can’t control hurricanes (wait can we ever control them?). I jumped out of bed a bit before six and came to the kitchen to see my smiling roommate Rebeca. She is teaching English classes at a bank every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so I will get to see her. She helped me pick out my outfit (Ann Taylor Loft brown and white skirt and brown polo!) and wished me luck on my first day. 4 students greeted me at my door to my class at 6:55. School does not start until 7:30, so who knows why they were already there. Luckily I was over prepared and had work for them. I will not start teaching each day until 9:00 because the students have Spanish in the morning, but the Spanish teacher did not arrive until 7:10.
Each kid had to bring a HUGE bag of supplies and a HUGE lunch! Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Guatemala and that does not stop kids even when they have school. I brought a peanut butter sandwich and granola bar and I had kids warming up leftover steak and potatoes. Each classroom is equipped with a microwave for this reason. The kids eat in our room and so one of my class jobs in CHEF so that I don’t have to stand there and warm up food.
My class is 12 boys and 11 girls. I have some pretty famous kids! (I am not entirely sure how and why their families are famous, but the local teachers know.) We went over all of rules and procedures. I had the kids write me a letter so I could see their writing skills in English. These letters were so cute and they are great writers! We then made a class puzzle. I had each child decorate a puzzle piece and then we all put it together. They turned out very cute and I stayed after to put them on the wall. Speaking of staying late… I have not left before 5 all week. It is great that I can walk to school, but as a brand new homeroom teacher I don’t know what I would do if I had to leave at 3! Some other teachers are jealous because they have to leave when the buses leave or call a taxi. I just walk my 5 minutes and I am at home! I would not have traded riding with Christa and Wayne (I mentioned you!) to stay late last year, but I had did not have quite as big of a load. I am more and more thankful for my house each day!
All in all it was a great day!! I survived my first day and I really think I am going to enjoy my kids. They are a bit chatty, but everyone says that is just the culture here. People are just more relational. I am chatty, so I think I will make it fine! I will try to post pictures when I can download them from my camera.
FYI- I have found Internet in my kitchen now too. So, I am currently sitting on my counter and my computer is resting on my toaster. Just thought I would let you know!
4 comments:
Its great to hear that you are doing so well dear. Hey you crazy cat. Thanks for the mention on the blog although you forgot to mention my campaign to stamp out stupidity. Which is going well by the way. I have enrolled the help of many new sponsors, including a nuclear pharmacist here in Athens. You have to take the funds where ever you can. I have also received a donation from a prize fighter who goes by the name of "BO." Anyway, Ive told everyone that you would be just fine in the wake of that hurricane with the knowledge that you are A. a strong swimmer, and B. you know Spanish. The two keys to survival in almost any situation. Well, I must go, "BO" is on the phone. This guy wants me to tatoo his name on my chest as a marketing tool in looooo of his donation. I just dont know if I can sell out like that. Stay safe on those dangerous roads and tell all my little amigos Hola for me! I hope to be travelling in your direction with the campaign in the near future. Buenos Dias Muchachas!
Sounds like the first day was a success. I can't wait to hear more.
Hi Kel, maybe you need to have the kids take turns bringing lunch for you each day - steak and potatoes sounds like a Kelly meal!
Love you, Mom
Kelly,
You ARE so lucky to live close to the school! Anytime you want James and I to hang out after school instead of getting on a bus for an hour, just say so! I'm so glad your first few days are going well. You are an awesome teacher--I can tell already!
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