Everyone knows that feeling on the first day of school, whether you are a child, parent, relative, or teacher. The day wakes you up with butterflies and uncertainty about the day ahead, and minutes feel like days. This morning Kayla and I woke up really early to get ready for school and didn't really have much to say; anticipation was in the air.
Something that is very different between schools I have experienced in the States and here is time. The teachers here arrive 10 minutes before the beginning of the day and there is really no rush for anything, like most things here. 20 minutes before the start of the day was early for Kayla and I because there was hardly anyone at the school. We are teaching at a school of excellence called "Los Geranios," and it is a beautiful place. I will post pictures of it later, but it is a teal-colored cluster of buildings and is very open. There are plants and trees growing right in the middle of the school, it's gorgeous. The classroom sizes are smaller, around 25 students per class, because in Los Geranios they want to focus attention on each individual to help make as successful students as possible.
This morning all the students and their families trickled into the school to have a reflection and welcoming to a new year of school. All the students looked so sharp in their blue uniforms and were carrying big smiles on their faces. The principal, Doña Laura, introduced all the teachers and called off the names of the students in their respective classes. I am student teaching in the third grade, tercer grado, with a teacher named "Saira" (yes, it sounds a lot like "Sarah," match made in Costa Rica).
Meeting my students. I don't think I could stop smiling all day seeing these beautiful children and their bright eyes looking up at me with curiosity. Brother, did they have questions.... all throughout the day I would hear a little voice behind me ask "¿Profé? ¿Profé?" (short for "Profesora"-teacher).
"Where are you from?"
"Have you seen snow?"
"How old are you?"
"Did you come here in a plane?"
"Do you have boyfriend?"
"Is she (Kayla) your sister?"
"Do you have beaches in the United States?"
"Do you speak French?" (This question is the winner as it was the most reoccurring...???)
"Who's in your family?"
"How do you write my name in English?"
"Do you watch wrestling on TV?"
"Are you going to stay in our class?"
You get the picture :) This is one of the reasons I love children and want to spend my every day with them; they have curiosity, they are giggly, their beautiful minds are constantly fired up, and they love you for everything you are.
It took me a little while to get a hang of what the schedule was like during the day because I hadn't gotten any information on what a normal school day consists of. Shortly after starting the day there was a small "recreo" (recess), where the students could have a snack and play for a little bit around the school. Immediately two of my students took me by hand and walked me around the school, asking more questions. Every time we had a recess today a swarm of students would surround Kayla and I, firing questions at us left and right with giggly voices :) I think this is the closest I will get to feeling famous. Some students would try to use what English they knew to say hello, which is such an awesome feeling when someone makes that effort. I am in love with the energy in this school and all these students. I have known them for maybe 7 hours and feel already that come that last day of school, it's gonna be rough to say "hasta luego."
During block time in my classroom, the students were asking so many questions about me and the United States that my teacher pulled up a chair to the front of the classroom and told me to sit down. Saira told the students that they could ask me any questions they wanted. It was so much fun. I got to share with my students pictures of things that are important to me from home and things I like to do.
After it was time for the last class of the day, Religion. We played a little game and then the students had a little picture to color. The Religion teacher gave me one to color and one of my students jumped up, pulled a chair next to his and said, "¡Venga!" (come here). He shared his brand new colored pencils with me while I taught him the colors in English.
When it was time for everyone to go home, I did not want to say goodbye. So many of my students came up to me to affirm that I was coming back the next day. After being flooded with kisses, hugs, and "hasta mañana's" (see you tomorrow), it was the end of the very first day of school.
Running into the principal on our way out she asked me if I was tired and I honestly responded that I think I have more energy than ever. Maybe every day won't be like this, but I have today, and Gracias a DIOS (Thanks to God) for every moment of it.
As Alicia Keys would say, "This girl is on fire."
Bendiciones to you all, I hope that your week is going stupendously! :)
Desks ready for a new school year!
2 of my muchachos guapos! :)
A beautiful picture from one of my students and a project from Religion class!
Happy First Day of School!! :)
Glad to hear things are going well Sarah and that you are, in your typical fashion, making the most of things and appreciating the wonderful opportunity before you!
ReplyDeleteAlso, be sure those students of yours have a full knowledge of Enrique before you are done with them :)
Thank you, Taylor! :) There is so much to be thankful for. I hope all is well with you! And don't you worry...Enrique is going to be the number one word in all my students' vocabularies. I think I scored bonus points just knowing who he was with some of my students! We've had some discussion over whether his songs are better in English or in Spanish... I foresee a poll activity in the near future. Chao for now! :)
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