Last month we had a three day weekend! It was such a blessing and a much needed break from school. I was able to travel down to Coroico with one of my roommates and two other teachers from school. It was much different from the place I live now, in fact I think it is where a lot of people think I live. It took us about two and a half hours by bus to get there but it was worth it. There are a lot of plants and "jungle like" trees, the streets are warm and filled with color and many tourists too. The weather was beautiful and I was able to where shorts!! It was wonderful! We stayed at a hotel that was hidden away on the outskirts of the city with only a few other people. It was not a 5 star hotel by any means, but it was a getaway and a new part of Bolivia I got to see. I did not bring any work with me and I was able to lay by the pool, drink yummy juice and read a book for fun!
After the weekend was over we had to face the reality of work once again :( I love my job, but sometimes it is hard to come back after such a lovely weekend. The school had a lot to do that week, and so did I. We had the annual spring festival (yes spring :)) that helps raise money for the school and gives families a fun day. My job was to co-lead the intramural tournaments, and for those of you who know me well I am not by any means sporty. After that event was over, and with only a few glitches, I was sent to work the inflatable. This inflatable was like no other I had seen; it was a large blow up slide and the kids got inside a huge plastic ball and rolled down. Now I know you are thinking shouldn't there be professional people working it? Yes, and there were a few but they needed us too. Only in Bolivia. My first role was to collect tickets and I did that well, but then I got run over. Yes friends I was run over by the big plastic ball, pushed into a table and still have a bruise to prove it. It was not by any means my favorite part of the day and waking up and not able to move my neck all the way was no joy either, but the kids loved it and the school made money so I guess it was worth it.
At our school the kids speak English, however they are all at very different levels, making conversations difficult but also extremely funny sometimes. This past week my student who has been living in Bolivia and Japan comes up to me and said "Miss, I first though outstanding meant you get to go stand outside". This was very funny because in my classroom I have a clip-chart for behavior. If they do well all day, which she usually does, they can move their clip up to "outstanding". She was not here the first day and did not get the whole story, so it was very funny when she thought her reward was to stand outside. Now to some that might be a reward I guess, but that was not the original intention.
Another example of humorous things 4th graders say happened at recess this week. One of my co-teachers comes up to me and said "Sara your kids just asked if I wanted to play "One" with them?". We both looked at each other and soon realized they were referring to the game "Uno". One of the students had recently received this game as a gift and translated it so that we would know what he was talking about. After explaining that this is the name of the game and you do not have to say "One" I think he understood, but then again I never really know.
In my classroom the kids and myself are working on staying organized, which is not my strongest strength at the moment. I was having my kids clean their desks before they left for the day and one student did not do his job. I called him over and told him that he needed to clean his desk, he said okay and proceeded to do so. He looked up after he was finished and asked "Miss, do I have to clean the inside too?" I told him no not today and with a sigh of relief he said "Oh good, because the inside of my desk looks like yours and it would take me forever". I just started laughing because although mine was not nearly as messy as his he had a point. I must say I love the honesty that these kids have. They are not afraid to tell you what is on their mind and I praise them for it!
This job is not easy, not that anyone ever told me it would be, but somedays I think to myself I was not expecting some of the challenges I face. I was not expecting to have so much heartbreak in my class and not being able to do anything about it. I was not expecting to have some parents that are so hard on their kids they ask me if they can stay a little bit longer. I was not expecting to be as tired as I am some nights. This job is difficult, and their are even more challenges teaching ELL students in a grade with no other teachers. It is a love/hate relationship I have with teaching right now, but fortunately God is always reminding me more of the love.
On that note I ask that you pray for patience and endurance for me. Pray that when the kids push so hard on the markers that I don't snap. Pray that I am the love they need, but I also can discern when they need more discipline. I have watched and learned from a lot of great people/teachers in my life, and I do not know how they do it so well!
Sweet dreams,
Sara
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