Some days my kids drive me crazy and I wonder what I'm doing in a room of teenagers.
But on days like today--when I spent the majority of my afternoon laughing and singing with my students--I consider myself very lucky to call this my job!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
gracias
Here's another reason I love my job:
This morning my kids were in some kind of funk. I could see it in their faces that it was going to be a rough day. So after chapel, I jokingly said to Betsy (the teacher in the room next to me--and the principal), "Let's switch kids today."
And she said, "Okay!"
A half-hour later when I returned to my class, my children were sitting quietly with smiles on their faces and with their vocabulary notebooks open and ready on their desks.
So, this post is for you, Betsy. Thank you for coming to my rescue in a moment of desperation, for lending me your sweet and smiling children, and most of all--for straightening out my hormonal teenagers so that we could have a smooth day.
This morning my kids were in some kind of funk. I could see it in their faces that it was going to be a rough day. So after chapel, I jokingly said to Betsy (the teacher in the room next to me--and the principal), "Let's switch kids today."
And she said, "Okay!"
A half-hour later when I returned to my class, my children were sitting quietly with smiles on their faces and with their vocabulary notebooks open and ready on their desks.
So, this post is for you, Betsy. Thank you for coming to my rescue in a moment of desperation, for lending me your sweet and smiling children, and most of all--for straightening out my hormonal teenagers so that we could have a smooth day.
Friday, November 12, 2010
la lluvia
Today was the first sunny day in what feels like two weeks (maybe I’m exaggerating), but what I know for sure is that we’re all looking a little pale. Who would have thought you could get seasonal depression in Puerto Rico!
Hopefully we can go to the beach tomorrow!
Hopefully we can go to the beach tomorrow!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
noviembre
I had a mini-crisis on Monday when I realized that it was already the beginning of November.—Where has the time gone? I am nowhere near where I thought I’d be with the kids by now.—As I counted the days we will have off this month and remembered that most of December is filled with bell practices and performances, I realized that I have less than a month left to teach this semester. Since I had just begun a big research project with my kids, I felt that my feelings of crisis were perfectly justified.
After some pep talks from my colleagues, some tweaking of the research project’s parameters, and lots of prayer, I decided that it might be possible for my students to complete their reports in time. Needless to say, I spent every morning this week sitting next to and standing over my kids as they searched the internet for information on their topics. I made it very clear that there was no time for playing around. (How appropriate that one of our vocabulary words this week was concentrate.) We all worked hard, and by Friday, they had each finished taking notes! Phase one: complete.
Our week ended with a lovely performance by the ladies in our community sign language class. The class is led by the mother of one of our students. She picked out a beautiful song for the group to sign called Tú Eres Mi Rey (You Are My King). At the end of chapel time, the ladies (including two mothers and one grandmother of our kids) filed on to the stage as the children watched with grinning faces. It was so wonderful to see these women praising God in a language that the children understand.
After some pep talks from my colleagues, some tweaking of the research project’s parameters, and lots of prayer, I decided that it might be possible for my students to complete their reports in time. Needless to say, I spent every morning this week sitting next to and standing over my kids as they searched the internet for information on their topics. I made it very clear that there was no time for playing around. (How appropriate that one of our vocabulary words this week was concentrate.) We all worked hard, and by Friday, they had each finished taking notes! Phase one: complete.
Our week ended with a lovely performance by the ladies in our community sign language class. The class is led by the mother of one of our students. She picked out a beautiful song for the group to sign called Tú Eres Mi Rey (You Are My King). At the end of chapel time, the ladies (including two mothers and one grandmother of our kids) filed on to the stage as the children watched with grinning faces. It was so wonderful to see these women praising God in a language that the children understand.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
el dia de química
Friday was Chemistry Day at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao. Because we are the chemist’s favorite school group, we’re invited to attend every year. All of the kids were excited to go. Those who had been there before had their favorite experiments in mind that they wanted to see again. First timers—like me—didn’t know what to expect but were excited simply because everyone else was.
At 7:55am, we piled into the van and hit the road.
I wish this is how the little boys were acting during the entire car ride! Unfortunately, when the photo-op passed, so did their interest in sleeping!
Here are the highlights from the chemistry magic show led by the magnificent Dr. Suarez—in his amazing Technicolor lab coat!
No matter how hard he tries—Edwin will never be able to blow up this balloon. This was the first trick and one of the favorites, as the little boys kept reaching for their bottles for the duration of the presentation.
...and watching the kids’ intrigued faces. I attempted to capture that sentiment here...
...and here.
Another highlight was watching the effects of mixing water, dry ice, and dish soap...
...and popping the resulting bubbles.
What magic show would be complete without putting children in bubbles?
And of course..a grand finale!
I can't wait to see what Dr. Suarez has up his multicolored sleeve for us next year!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
los adolescentes
Let me begin by saying that I really love my students. They make me laugh a lot in class, and we have fun. When they are interested in a subject matter, they are very focused and curious. That said--this week their teenager-ness really started to get to me, and I was reminded why I went to school for elementary (not high school) education! But Friday eventually arrived, and we all made it through another week together. Praise the Lord!
Every day I am finding out more and more strongly that most of what I learned in college does not apply to teaching deaf children. This can be disheartening at times, but I am staying positive. I can consider my time here as a free education. Fortunately, I have three experienced teachers here to help guide me!
On Saturday afternoon, I was able to forget all my cares for a few hours as I sat on a deserted beach and floated in a crystal-clear ocean. God knows that I need these moments to relax and regain strength for the coming week.
It’s not all frustrating, though…here’s a positive thought from the week:
I’m really enjoying serving as a part-time art teacher. It is gratifying to see a student who once hated art now asking to spend his recess working on his project! Here are some pictures of the middle-school students showing off their latest finished pieces. They learned how to mix primary colors. They also explored creating unique textures by painting with unconventional objects (q-tips, sponges, and cotton balls). They were very proud of their finished products…as was I.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
las termitas
I knew I’d learn a lot during my time here—like sign language and new teaching techniques—but there are so many more unforeseen skills that I’m acquiring. Here’s what I’ve learned this past week:
• How to jump start a car when the battery is dead
• How to change a car battery
• How to use a grass trimmer
• And perhaps the most exciting—how to get rid of termites!
Now the last one may not sound exciting—and initially, it wasn’t—but in the end it was quite enjoyable. Here’s how it went…First, I found evidence of termites in my dresser. Then, I didn’t sleep well that night because I kept thinking about the little creatures that were eating my furniture two feet from my bed. The next day, though, I was able to exact my revenge on the bugs. So how do we get rid of termites here? We smash the furniture to pieces with a sledge hammer and then burn it!
Almost makes you want to have termites in your dresser, doesn’t it?
And now on to school news…
Last week was a short week because of the holiday—we only had three days of school. The kids got their first report cards of the year. Like usual, some were happy with their grades, and others…not so much. I had a nice long chat with a student in the latter category. The initial progress that we saw in him has plateaued, or maybe regressed a bit. Hopefully this report card is the kick in the pants that he needs.
• How to jump start a car when the battery is dead
• How to change a car battery
• How to use a grass trimmer
• And perhaps the most exciting—how to get rid of termites!
Now the last one may not sound exciting—and initially, it wasn’t—but in the end it was quite enjoyable. Here’s how it went…First, I found evidence of termites in my dresser. Then, I didn’t sleep well that night because I kept thinking about the little creatures that were eating my furniture two feet from my bed. The next day, though, I was able to exact my revenge on the bugs. So how do we get rid of termites here? We smash the furniture to pieces with a sledge hammer and then burn it!
Almost makes you want to have termites in your dresser, doesn’t it?
And now on to school news…
Last week was a short week because of the holiday—we only had three days of school. The kids got their first report cards of the year. Like usual, some were happy with their grades, and others…not so much. I had a nice long chat with a student in the latter category. The initial progress that we saw in him has plateaued, or maybe regressed a bit. Hopefully this report card is the kick in the pants that he needs.
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