I started working at Heaven's Kingdom Christian School on Monday. This week, I am observing Marcelo and Lidia, both English teachers. Lidia teaches preschool through 4th grade and Level 1 of the high school. Marcelo teaches 5th and 6th grade and Levels 2 and 3 of the high school. I think I've met every single student at Heaven's! And I probably remember about 4 names.
Monday was a little overwhelming. I didn't really know what I was going to be doing. It was only my second day in Paraguay. I still hadn't caught up with sleep. I was trying my hardest to adjust to their Spanish. I felt like I was being told I was going to be doing two different things. It was all a little much, but I praise Jesus for siestas. I have been taking full advantage!
Tuesday was a little better. I was getting used to being there and I think the students were used to having a stranger in their class. As cute as the kindergarten and preschool kids are, I have learned that teaching them English is not my gifting. Runny noses, yelling, mumbled words, and the attention spans of goldfish, all make it very difficult to teach them. Especially when my experience of teaching English is to 40-year old Korean men who want to study at the seminary.
During the afternoon on Wednesday, there was culto (chapel) with the older kids. Even though Heaven's is a Christian school, it is not a requirement for the students to be believers. A few students organized the culto. There was a time of worship, a speaker, and one student shared their testimony. It was a nice break from classes!
On Thursdays, I am working with three boys who want to study in the United States, but don't really speak any English. Only one boy showed up today (after the principal called all of them - I think she forgot to tell them!). When I was working in his class on Tuesday, I asked my group to go around and tell me their names, how old they are, and what they like to do. He couldn't even do that. I didn't know how today was going to go. He's been in class since February! However, I think it was so good that he came by himself. I was very impressed with how well he did! I told him that he needs to practice tonight because I am going to ask him tomorrow! Homework on the first day. I'm so mean.
Overall, this week was very eye opening for me. I am so blessed to have received the education that I did - in classrooms big enough for all the students, with more than enough school supplies, attending the whole day, and with the ability to chose which classes I wanted to take. I pray that my experience feeds my desire to teach these students to the best of my ability. They deserve the best.
Some pictures!!!
The culto on Wednesday.
These are a few of the students of Level 1 with Lidia (she's wearing green).
I feel a little something in my throat and I've sneezed a couple of times since my nap, so I might go take some emergen-c. Maybe.
Nicole :)
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