As you might have read in my last blog, we have switched
classrooms. Switching to Prep was very rough, but so far very worth it.
Switching to Prep meant that I had to start fresh by getting to know the
teachers and students, teaching differently, and learning how to control a
different class.
As the
week has been moving forward, I have developed stronger relationships with the
teachers. The teachers and I can now sit down and have a full conversation
about anything. The teachers would tell me about their personal stories and some
things I could never imagine telling a stranger. Over the past week, I have gained
a great sense of pride in myself because the teachers trust me to teach and
watch over their students. On Wednesday, the Kindergarten teacher, Teacher
Mariam, pulled me into her class and gave me a friendship bracelet that she
personally made. This gesture made me feel very close to her and it showed me
that we are really important in their lives. All the teachers asked me for my
contact information so we can keep in touch. It feels good to know that the
teachers want to keep up with my life. It’s very special to me that they care
about us as much as we care about them.
Today,
Teacher Mariam treated me to something very special. At our break time, she
took me to a little shop right by the school and bought me candy and a soda.
Just from going on that little walk, I’ve learned more about her than I have
ever imagined by just asking one simple question. I asked her about her story
and if she went to school. She told me that she is living alone and is working
on getting a diploma, then a degree. As I see every day, she works very hard
while teaching to get money to go to a university. The one thing that she told
me that really impacted me was that she has everything she needs to get a
diploma, except one. That one thing holding her back from going to get a
diploma was money. It’s crazy to think that in this world, the one thing
holding us back from doing what we love is money. The Kindergarten teacher is
unbelievably smart and she is being stopped from pursuing her goals because of
pieces of paper. It really showed me that my whole entire life could be
controlled by paper, rather than pursuing what I love and pursuing a
career.
I also
went on my second home visit to Mama Elli’s (part of the kitchen staff) house.
She lives with four other people in a kitchen-sized house. Mama Elli had no
shame of her house at all – she was more proud of it than anything. She kept her house so clean and neat; it was
amazing to see how much pride she had in it. Back home in America, we have so
much and will just throw it on the ground, while here they take pride in every
single thing they have. It showed me that I need to treat my possessions with
respect and be thankful that I am so blessed to have everything I have.
The
week has gone by so fast and I’m sad it’s coming to an end. I have gotten so
close with the teachers and they have all taught me so much. One of the biggest
lessons I’ve learned from them is to not judge a book by its cover. The
teachers come in with the biggest smiles every day, but you don’t know their
real story until you get to know them.
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