Lessons to be Learned: February 2014

February 2014

Fifth grade lesson objective: Students will be able to recognize ¨to be¨ negative in the present simple

Broncos play in the Superbowl, even if they lost to the Sea Hawks

The Patriots are not  always the champions

Fourth Grade lesson objective: Students will be able to categorize months by seasons  

But their are no seasons in Barranquilla, it’s just hot.

Fifth grade lesson objective: Students will be able to identify their city and country of origin.

Barranquilla Colombia is somewhat analogous to Kansas USA. While in the middle of everything, it is hardly recognized for anything. The city is rarely more than a passing point between the reputable beaches of Santa Marta and Cartagena.

This industrial city is colored by the narratives of its inhabitants. Whether it be standing in the my grocery line, waiting at the same crosswalk, working at my school, various Barranquilleros take the opportunity to assure me that I am at the best spot on the planet. Such Barranquilla claims to fame include but not limited to. . .

1. Music

Such as Kevin Flores and the well known Shakira were born in Barranquilla

2. Culture

a great blend of the coastal tranquility and urban liveliness allow for me to relax without getting bored

3. Carnaval

During the time of Carnaval, everyone goes crazy in their own rite. Some with bright costumes, some with dancing, some with styrofoam penises on their houses, mostly all of the above. Living here during carnaval made partying unavoidable even for a recluse like me.

3. My crazy fifth graders

Their pride and display of pride made the geography unit especially fun. Two chapters later, my students could still tell you were they are from. . . with a little dance and smile on their face.

Third  Grade Lesson Objective: Students will be able to recognize parts of the house

This is my last month in my first home stay due to security reasons. I will miss the long haired cat but I am about to move in with one of my favorite Colombians; a four year old boy named Juan Sebastian.

"Teacher!"

My new title as "Teacher!" echoes within me. It is a "Teacher!" with the Spanish "R" softened at the tip of the tongue. It is toned with voices of 3rd-5th grade students. . .a good pitch. It's not the squeaky octaves of the little guys exploring articulation beyond their accustomed tongue sticking and blubbering. It's not the unharnessed dissonance of puberty, manifesting the insecurity of unwelcome body changes. My students know words and they know themselves. They call me with assurance, frustration, yet an eagerness to learn. They are the epitome of "kids", not the younger siblings struggling to keep up nor the half teens replacing baseball cards and clap games with the right brand of clothes and attention to the opposite sex.

For this reason, I like my students, all  hundred and something of them. And while any seasoned teacher would advise otherwise, I want my students to like me. I want their recommendation on the best Colombian junk food. I want them to laugh at my jokes. I want more than the conditioned "fine thank you" when I ask how they are doing. I want to absorb their kid-ness. Beneath their untamed energy, determination beams from their wandering brown eyes. I owe it to them to be awesome, to give them a reason to want to learn English.

I feel quite distant from this proclamation. Why I struggle to understand their Spanish, eye rolls and sighs are of a universal language. In spite of my diligence of planning, my cardboard visuals and hyperbole demonstrations are drowned in their doodles and whispers. I want my teaching to leave more than the stroke of a dry erase marker. I want to inspire. I need to convince these kids that English soars beyond the concrete confines of their classroom. When did this "Teacher!" become so lame?

I got to figure this out, I have 10 months to do so. For those of you teachers, help me out (or if you are a non-teacher with a strong opinion, that is fine too). How do I inspire? How do I win over Pokemon and One Direction? Please keep in mind that I am teaching with limited resources. Also, if you ever felt like the "Teacher!" who fell short, I'd like to know I'm not alone. :)

The Movie "Stand By Me" so well illustrates the spirit of kids. It reminds me of my students. Except for the 3 days in the woods, dead body, and USA.

Conquering Fears

If I go to heaven, my eternity will be spent on a riverbank, riding waves, and/or soaking in a hot tub. Water has always been my element. Fire has always been my counter element. I think I have lit three matches in my life. Although essential to survival, I have always relied on people and companies to provide this necessity.

The stove here has to be lit. My stipend does not suffice for daily resturaunt meals, so cooking cannot be avoided. On the second day, I made a few attempts to boil spaghetti which resulted in restrained screams and broken matches. I was reduced to asking my host mom, Lupe to light the match for me. Watching her gracefully flip the match across the concrete wall, lighting the stove a mere few centimeters from her hand as she has done countless times cooking her own food, her three childrens food, and clients' food, it is clear we are from different lifestyles. She has been generous to share her Caldo de Pollo with me; a tasty chicken noodle soup made with 4 basic ingredients. I offer her my graham crackers and cream cheese. . . .Amurrican style.

I wont fool myself into thinking I will ever light these toothpick-sized fosforos. Three grocery stores later, I finally found a lighter. While the fire is still too close for comfort, I have a few inches of grace rather than centimeters, and all I have to do is press a button. Today was the day I lit the gas stove on my own. I made spaghetti again, this time enough to share with Lupe. I thoroughly enjoyed the spaghetti. Although she added some salt and dumped hers in her Calvo de Pollo, Lupe tolerated it and thanked me.

This mundane Sunday is a land mark in financial saving, reciprocity, and bravery. Cooking spaghetti, though it is lacking salt and a bit greasy means I can develop in these three areas.  Just like running in the neighborhood. Either I run in the neighborhood or I bus to the north end of town to run in a park. As I am a water person, I am a cat person. I am not fond of fire, I am not fond of the unrestrained dogs in the street. However, I use my better judgement to run during the day, cross the street and turn around when necessary. Sweating, pounding the earth, and being the gringo in the hott pink tennis shoes never
felt so good.

Home on the south side

So yes, there are a few countries of separation between the US and Colombia. Surprisingly, there are a few things that bring me back to my Amurrican roots. . .

1. Ketchup. . .and it is tastier here! Much more of a fresh tomato flavor. . .even though it is manufactured from a major brand

2. My home stay family has a cat. Although he is not as friendly and beautiful as Greikitti, he always lets me hold him, is a great rat killer, and certainly is not bad looking.

3. An estimated 100 hugs just today from newly acquainted staff members and students. A very warm welcome from those at El Campito.

4. Listening to Good Vibrations on the bus today. . . a funky remix but still Marky Mark.

5. Getting lost. Whether it is at the St. Mathews Mall or south side of Barranquilla. . .some things about me will never change. Note to self: write down address so you don't mix up Carrera and Calle.

6. Conditional tense. . .one of the many commonalities between the Spanish and English language is the intricacy of this grammar lesson. There's like three of them, right?!

7 Countries away there is still a feeling of home!

Spanish 3rd conditional. . . .should have come to class senior year!

Teacher Camp 2014

So the journey began on the 2nd day of the new year. Among grazing horses, rolling hills, and 34 volunteers in training, the Teacher Camp 2014 had begun. This little town about an hour south of Bogota couldn't have been a more perfect retreat.

At The Charlotte Airport

Airports are one of my favorite places. A cross section of people in their own cross section of destinations. People dressed for all different occasions and weather, moving at all different speeds, speaking in various tongues.  It is a refreshing reminder that there are so many versions of humanity. . . one size will never fit all. I believe this experience will fit well in my life. I eagerly await for my flight from Charlotte to Miami. After a bit of shut eye, I will be heading to Bogota Colombia tomorrow morning. I imagine my year of teaching in Colombia will serve the twin purpose of allowing me to teach English and also learn from the students, staff, and surrounding community members. I thank my loved ones: both those who have supported my decision as your continued encouragement is invaluable, and those who have discouraged my idea as your counter advice helped me make an informed decision. Sure, I will be equipped with basic training and tools but this is truly an unwritten adventures that will bring surprises, slip-ups, frustration, and growth that I can in no way plan. Thanks for reading more pics and details to come!