My Uncle Karl pointed out it had been a while since I posted, but I had no idea it had been so long since my last post. Well, I have a couple to post in quick succession that have been word documents for a while... thanks for being loyal and patient readers!
Lots of Love!
Rosa
I know I have been bad about posting lately. I had a crazy busy schedule for awhile- I was teaching an SAT prep class after school for 3 weeks, so I had to teach 6 normal classes a day plus 2 and a half hours of SAT prep in the afternoon. Plus, I get inspired to write something, but it takes me so long to get on my computer, on the internet, that I sort of lose inspiration. I will try to be better for the last couple months I am here. Most of the other volunteers are leaving as soon as they can in June- a couple are going to Western Samoa then leaving. Everyone pretty much will be gone by June 16th. Not me! I decided that I wanted to stay until August. I will be teaching summer school at PiCED- the Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development. One of the main reasons is that they are paying me- I wanted to accrue a little money so that I don’t have to freak out when I get home- it will give me a little bit of buffer zone to find a job. The second reason is that I want to try teaching in a better environment to sort of get refreshed on the whole teaching thing. Teaching at NVTHS has been wearing mentally and physically. I am just bone weary of trying to teach kids who don’t want to be taught. The SAT prep class, which was also through PiCED was a nice refreshment from normal. The students in my class were MOTIVATED. They PAID MONEY to be there. They actually valued education. I left class the first day in a cloud of giddiness. I went home: “April! Bret! You will not BELIEVE what just happened. I taught a class in AIR CONDITIONING. I had a PROJECTOR. The kids actually got quiet when I talked! They did their work! They asked smart questions!” I got blank stares for a few seconds and then a unified, “it sounds like a REAL SCHOOL!” It was amazing. Even though it was 2 and a half extra hours of work a day, it refreshed my spirits. I am hoping that the summer school will be similar. I know the students won’t be as proficient- after all, they will be there for extra help, but hopefully they will possess the same desire for education and respect for their educators. Basically, I feel like I could really love teaching, but some aspects of this year make me question that. I want to try it in an environment more similar to that which I would experience back home to feel it out.
Long story short, I will be boarding a plane home on August 2nd, 2011. I will arrive in Richmond on August 4th- At that point I will have celebrated two birthdays in American Samoa, and will have met and helped orient the new batch of WorldTeachers. Crazy. In the meantime, I am just trying to get through the end of school. This week is review. Next week is exams, and the last week is…. ??? I don’t know WHAT they expect us to do. I hope we have a field day.
Woohhh I had no idea you were in the Pacific doing this teaching thing! That's nuts! Obviously need to catch up.
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